Most of us agree that a clean house feels better. You breathe better, work better, and have more energy.  The environment in which you live impacts your health.  Research backs up this intuition, confirming that the cleanliness of your home affects both your physical and mental health. The biggest culprits are dust and clutter.  A clean home isn’t just a convenience, it’s good for you too.

A Clean Home and Physical Health

Dust and clutter exacerbate allergies and upper respiratory problems like asthma.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is as much as 5 times more polluted than the air outside.  One of the most effective ways of improving indoor air quality is regularly vacuuming your home.  Carpets trap dust, food particles, and pet hair and dander.  Experts recommend weekly vacuuming, or even more frequently if you have kids and pets.

Another way to keep indoor air quality under control is to use low-VOC products.  VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are gases emitted by certain products that can aggravate respiratory issues like asthma.  Many household goods, especially cleaning products, emit VOCs and it is difficult to eliminate these products from our lives.  The EPA recommends a variety of methods to reduce the impact of VOCs on your air quality. Ensure good ventilation during use and following the safety precautions provided on the label.

A Clean Home and Mental Health

Cleanliness also effects your mental health.  When your house is chaotic your thoughts get disorganized too.  A 2011 study used an MRI to measure the brain’s response to clutter and found that it effects the brain’s processing power.  It’s just harder to concentrate when you’re surrounded by clutter.  Reduce the clutter as much as possible – the minimalist look comes with health benefits! Use bins and baskets to organize toys and other supplies and try to donate or throw out what you don’t need at least a couple times a year.