It’s estimated that around 70% of American households have mold behind their walls. Any parent will agree, that’s a real concern when you’re trying to create a healthy, happy family life. While there are certainly safe, toxin-free ways to clean up mold, the more you can do to avoid it altogether, the better. One key cause of mold is dampness in the home. The good news is that many of the measures you can take to reduce or prevent damp are also good for your family’s health and for the planet. A double win!

How do I know if there’s a damp problem?

Some of the most common signs of damp in the home are flaking paint, curling wallpaper, or discolored patches on the ceiling. You might also spot condensation on your windows, or find that a room smells a little odd or musty. Of course, visible mold is also a strong indicator that your home has a damp issue. Some forms of black mold can cause health symptoms from dry eyes and sore throats to vomiting or even breathing difficulties, so you definitely don’t want it in your home. Cleaning it away is important, but preventing the dampness that may be causing it is even better. As the CDC advises, sometimes the causes of damp may be obvious, but even if that’s not the case, by remaining vigilant you can head off a problem before it arises.

Get out front

One of the best things you can do to prevent damp problems in your family’s home is to stay on top of its external maintenance.  Clear drains and gutters regularly (the resulting leaves can go straight to your compost heap), and check the roof on a regular basis for any cracks or holes. If you have a window cleaner, you may find they are willing to check the roof and clear the gutters for you as part of their service.  Regular boiler services and plumbing checks can also help to spot any leaky or weakened pipes before they become a problem.

Embrace efficiency

Now for the best news: many of the changes that will help to protect your home from dampness can also help to make it much more efficient and environmentally friendly. Start by installing good insulation; according to one study, 75,000 US homes waste in one year as much energy as there was contained in the biggest oil spill disaster in U.S. history. Next, think about ventilation. It could be as simple as opening your windows more often and drying your laundry outside where possible, but you could also install an extractor fan in your bathroom and kitchen, or look for an eco-friendly dehumidifier. Finally, why not embrace smart tech and use a programmable thermostat to heat your home efficiently, and reduce usage when you’re out of the house?

By staying on top of household maintenance and thinking carefully about ways to reduce moisture within your home, you can give your household the best chance of avoiding damp problems. Dampness can not only spoil the aesthetics of your home, but it can also lead to mold which can, in turn, affect your family’s health. Thankfully, many damp-busting measures are also great for the planet’s health too; so why not make them a priority in the coming months?

Contribution by freelance writer Sally Preston

• Cycling is a popular family activity, and eco-friendly cleaning alternatives should be considered to protect the health and environment of cyclists and their children.
• Cleaning with a rag and water, or even rainfall, can be enough to keep a bike clean.
• Extra-greasy chains can be degreased with an eco-friendly cleaner such as Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner or MamaSuds All-Purpose Cleaner.
• Citrus solutions can also be used for chain cleaning, with ingredients such as orange peel and lemon juice forming a natural degreaser.
• Baking soda paste mixed with water and lemon juice can effectively remove rust.

What’s better: Hand Sanitizer or Hand Soap?
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True, effective, All natural organic hand SOAP.
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Hand Sanitizer is great when you’re out and about, on the go, at the park, on the playground, in a pinch. But it doesn’t attach to the germs on your hands and rinse them away.
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Only SOAP does that. Hand sanitizer is better than nothing. Hear us loud and clear there.
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But washing your hands (yes, for at least twenty seconds) with real SOAP is the only way to rinse those germs off your hands.
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Don’t overlook the power of a good hand washing session with a good bottle of effective soap. Especially right now.
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• Clean rooms can reduce stress, remove distractions and make it easier to focus.
• Clean environments can increase performance on tests and at work, as well as improve mental wellbeing.
• Spending time maintaining cleanliness helps create a sense of accomplishment and reduces stress associated with a messy room.
• Establishing a system for regular cleaning ensures that the benefits of cleanliness are experienced over time.

House fires can be devastating to a family. Not only are you displaced while your home is being repaired or rebuilt, but you can also lose treasured and irreplaceable items like family pictures and keepsakes. There are some quick and easy steps you can take to reduce the risk of a catastrophic fire breaking out in your house, however. Here are a few of the simplest and most effective methods available.

Do you find that no matter what you do or how often you clean, your place never quite achieves the spic-and-span appearance that you crave? If so, it's high time you addressed the root of the problem. Here are just a few reasons why the results of your hard work might not be visible to the naked eye.

When many people 'go green,' they usually go out and buy paper straws and reusable grocery bags to mark the beginning of their new lifestyle. While these are smart ways to ease into a more sustainable way of living, you can also make a few adjustments to your home. You can make it so your home runs more efficiently by reducing the amount of energy you're wasting and dramatically shrinking your carbon footprint. The following are a few tips on how you can do this.

Update Your Roof

High-quality roofing keeps a home secure and protected from damage. Therefore, replace your shingles if you notice they're curved, broken, or missing. While you work on your roof, check that your home is insulated properly. Check your attic and look for signs of mildew or moisture. If it's time to replace your home's insulation, fiberglass is a popular option. If you would like to use a more sustainable option, newspaper is a great possibility since it's made from recycled materials.

Draft-Proof Your Doors and Windows

Check to see whether the windows let in a draft. If they do, you have a couple of options. You can seal them by using a high-grade polyurethane caulk to cover any gaps. You can also invest in energy-efficient doors and windows, which will significantly cut down on the amount of heating and air conditioning leaving your home. Windows that are energy-efficient tend to be double glazed, which will also make your home feel warmer during those harsh winter months. For a quicker and more affordable option, consider investing in thermal-backed curtains instead.

Use Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs

This is another simple switch you can do overnight. However, you may want to wait until your current light bulbs are on their last legs before swapping them out with eco-friendly bulbs. Throwing out bulbs that work is unnecessary and wasteful, which is the complete opposite of the sustainability message. Eco-friendly light bulbs like LEDs are energy-efficient — but still make sure to turn the lights off when you're not using them.

Making the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle doesn't mean you have to empty your wallet in the process. These changes are practical to implement and can actually save you money in the long run. But best of all, you'll be doing your part in trying to reduce your carbon footprint, making the world a safer and more sustainable place to live.

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Having too much moisture inside of your home can not only cause environmental issues from mildew to wood rot, but too much moisture in your home can have a negative impact on your health as well. Here are a few tips that can help you keep the moisture levels from getting out of control in your home.

Grow Plants That Absorb Moisture and Humidity

Pots Planters & More advises that one really easy way to eliminate excess moisture within your home is to add water-loving plants around your home. Plants such as reed palm, Boston fern, peace lily, tillandsia, English Ivy, and more will help to eliminate all of that extra moisture by absorbing it. These plants are ideal for assisting with too much moisture in your home as they can survive without direct sunlight nor do they need to be rooted which is perfect for indoors.

Make Sure Your Home Is Properly Insulated

Insulating your home is not just necessary for keeping out the cold weather, but it can also protect against moisture. According to Dan Gardner Drywall, proper insulation in the exterior of your home helps control moisture by providing a barrier between the outside and your home. You want to make sure that all of your walls, windows, or anywhere there could possibly be any openings are thoroughly covered so as to keep the moisture from making its way inside of your home.

Limit the Creation of Humidity

While you can run a dehumidifier in your home in order to help you eliminate the excess moisture quickly, one of the easiest ways to protect your home against moisture is to not create it in the first place. Try to avoid doing things in your home that would lead to moisture buildup. When the weather is humid, taking a steaming hot shower can produce an excessive amount of moisture, especially if you do not use the vent fan. The same goes for boiling water or doing anything that produces lots of moisture when the weather is already humid.

In order to keep the moisture levels down in your home, you should take a proactive approach if possible. However, doing things such as adding a dehumidifier as well as certain types of plants can help you get the moisture levels down to where they should be. Having moisture-loving plants around your home is a great way to help reduce moisture while adding a nice aesthetic, providing you with the right amount of oxygen, eliminating pollutants and more.

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One of the best ways you can keep your roof in tip-top shape is by ensuring that your gutters are working properly. If you would like to clean your gutters in an environmentally friendly way, here are some tips that can help you do so with ease.

1. Roll Up Your Sleeves

Although this might be one of the more time-consuming ways to clean your gutters, cleaning them by hand is one of the best ways to do so without the use of harsh chemicals. When it comes to removing black streaks, algae and other debris, you can get the job done with the help of a scrub brush, non-toxic solutions and a little elbow grease. When choosing this method, be prepared to scrub for quite a while or even break up the project into two days.

2. When to Clean Gutters

Typically, your gutters will need to be cleaned in the spring and fall since this is usually when leaves and pollen are falling. However, if you have lots of trees on your property or there has been a storm, you will probably have to clean your gutters more frequently. The goal is to keep your gutters clean so they may do their job properly. Therefore, you should clean them as needed to keep them flowing well.

3. Finishing Up

After you have finished soaking and scrubbing away all of the build-up and removed the debris, it is time to give everything a good washing off. You should make sure to store your ladder so it doesn't get in the way of the rest of your cleaning efforts. Once you have put away your supplies, it is a good idea to cover up any flowers or other areas of your lawn that you want to protect.

There are lots of non-toxic cleaners you can purchase and recipes you can make yourself that can help you get your gutters nice and clean. Pressure washing is also a good way to rid your gutters of all of the gunk and leaves without having to use bleach or other harsh agents. Regardless of what method you use to clean your gutters, the best way to keep them clean is to perform regular maintenance throughout the year. This helps to prevent your gutters from getting extremely clogged and dirty which makes cleaning them much easier every time.

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