With warmer weather here, it’s time to deal with the associated household hassles of the season.
Here are three hacks that will help you create a healthy, comfortable home during the months ahead:
Beat the heat
Beyond having your HVAC unit serviced and changing your air filter regularly, you can beat the heat at home with a few smart strategies.
One change you can make today that also will reduce your carbon footprint is to swap out your heat-emitting incandescent light bulbs for cool LEDs.
Likewise, appliances that are not in use but plugged in could be generating unnecessary warmth, so unplug when you can.
Finally, use shades and blinds strategically to block out the sun and prevent a greenhouse effect indoors.
Banish flying bugs
Fruit flies, gnats and flies tend to proliferate indoors in the warmer months. Not only do these creatures come with a serious ick factor, but they also can harm your houseplants and even put your family’s health at risk by carrying germs from dirty surfaces to clean ones.
A safe and easy way to defend against buzzing invaders is to plug bug traps into outlets around your home, especially in areas where these bugs enter and gather, like garages, entryways, covered porches, trash cans, drain pipes and kitchens.
Rather than relying on chemical insecticides, they use multi-spectrum light technology that bugs find irresistible.
Once attracted, flying insects are trapped in a super-sticky adhesive backing.
Each trap cartridge offers continuous defense for up to 45 days or until it’s full.
When you’re done with a cartridge, simply throw it in the trash and slide a new one in, without ever having to touch the dead bugs.
Pair these traps with home bug sprays, which are powered by essential oils, for whole home protection.
Master mold
Thriving in warm wet environments, mold is something to watch out for at home, especially during summer.
More than an eyesore, mold is bad for your home’s infrastructure and bad for you. Mold can cause a number of allergic reactions and can sometimes even be toxic. However, you can reduce the risk of mold forming by managing your home’s humidity.
Use fans and other ventilation in bathrooms and the kitchen when showering, running the dishwasher and doing other tasks that invite humidity. Test the humidity of various rooms in your home with a hygrometer and use a dehumidifier where needed. According to the EPA, the ideal indoor humidity is between 30 and 50%.
Employing warm weather hacks at home can help you maintain clean, comfortable spaces, all season long.
