Tips on having a fragrant home this Christmas
Unless signalled by a choking dry atmosphere or a dastardly smell, air quality is something we tend to forget about. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) is the industry standard for fresh air with a touch of fuel efficiency as a bonus, but most of us cannot slip that expensive retro-fit in over the next ten days. However, you’re not powerless to ensure that the air you breathe is as fresh and clean as your house can hold, over the festive season.
Even with the walls and trickle vents checked, the filters in all extractors changed and despite rattling windows, the balance of heat and humidity to ventilations is sorely tested in winter. With indoor damp comes the release of microscopic mould spores into the air which can flourish to visible levels.
In mild, wet weather, anyone with an allergen problem can react to even unseen moulds including mildew, by touch or inhalation. Place a protective mattress cover on beds to keep invisible spores in check. Investigate odd hidden spots such as under the base of houseplants, in the corners of windows, the fridge and of course around tiling in the bathroom, a veritable paradise of condensed damp for the most common winter classics of cladosporium herbarum, and penicillium notatum.
You can unwittingly bring moulds into the house on damp firewood, and out of sight and out of mind, it will delight in putting a rancid stain up the emulsion. After washing down surfaces with warm soapy water (dump the rags you use), get the air moving. If you cannot improve ventilation levels mechanically in the bathroom, kitchen or laundry room use rapid ventilation technology— close adjoining doors and open the window for 10-15 minutes as needed. Don’t dry wringing laundry on the radiators and don’t presume your new house is immune. Damp present in new materials can invite in surprise mould attacks. Any mould patches larger than 1m square should be dealt with by a professional.
I will admit to using one to two JRTs (Jack Russell Terriers), as heating devices in my bed depending on weather conditions, and breaking many perfectly intelligent rules in this area. It’s easy to become completely neurotic on the subject of animals and germs, especially with children sharing the floors. However, with the rusticated tastes of dogs and cats (their washcloth being their tongue), it’s something we have to think about. Allergens and infection can and do result from having animals around.
If your cat uses a tray indoors, stage it as far from the food preparation area as possible, clean it daily of dry and wet matter, and keep young children well clear. Toxoplasmosis, ringworm (also contracted from hamsters and guinea pigs) and toxocariasis are the big three to be aware of that can be prevented by hand-washing. Keeping fur clean, regular checks and immunisation by your veterinarian, and keeping your pet limited to the living areas, will make life easier and safer.
Dogs (apart of course from mine), will not actually die if they have to sleep in a basket by the bed. There’s only one thing to do —shoot the cat. A small water pistol secreted in the sink will make a harmless point if he takes a wander onto the counters.
The vast majority of asthmas and allergies are affected by airborne particles, and there’s no greater toxic sponge in the house than your carpet. Everything from simple petrochemicals, to cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs — known to cause cancer), and even pesticides, work their way off your soles and onto the pile. Once there, they go deep to where the dust mites dance in the pet dander and skin flakes we drop, deeper than a conventional vacuum cleaner can ever reach.
It might be difficult to accept, but in a study by UK environmental engineer John Roberts (coined Dr Dust for his fascination with the small stuff), it was shown that a house with hard flooring and rugs has about 1/10 of the dust of a fully carpeted home.
Low pile carpets without chemical stain resisters and untreated by solvent cleaners are deemed the healthiest choice if you simply have to have that toe-swallowing feel. Rather than adding to the chemical soup, clean the carpet as naturally as possible and simply vacuum more with a powerful machine with HEPA filtration. Every two days is not excessive with the heavy foot traffic of Christmas.
If you have pets, treat yourself to a pet dedicated machine with a rotating brush attachment. Shake baking soda over the carpet before you start to absorb more dirt and debris, waiting for about 15 minutes before hitting it with the vacuum. If you need to shampoo the carpet, forget the detergents and add a splash of white vinegar to the mix instead — the hot water and tug of a good machine will do most of the work. Open the windows and let the carpet dry thoroughly to prevent mould growth. Instigate a shoes-off policy starting this Christmas.
The most positive way to influence the air quality of your home is to ensure a good air-exchange with adequate ventilation and to simply introduce less to the atmospheric burden in the coming year. This entails spending a little more thought, and yes an investment, in products that will be more per litre and metre — but what price your health and well-being?
Think about using zero VOC paints without petro-chemical binders and solvents such as the new range by Tikkurila, called Joker which is ideal for children’s rooms and highly affordable from €11.09 a litre. Choose natural cleaning products such as the Irish made range by Malone, and tailor a natural cleaning trug featuring lemon juice, salt, baking soda and microfibre cloths — enough for everyday jobs and a fraction of the cost of the heavy chemistry.
When you do redecorate, give the room time to air out, leaving new furniture in a garage or by an open window for a week, if you have the room and opportunity. New furnishings and carpet are proven to ‘off-gas’ glues, veneers and finishes, not something to get hysterical about, but resolve in 2015 to become at least a little more aware.
Ionic air cleaners emit a steady stream of negative ions into the air which attach to airborne molecules, making them negatively charged and attractive to nearby positively charged particles. As this attraction occurs, clumps form, harvesting the pollutants and other contaminants in the air. For more information on ionic air cleaners and water based air purifiers check out www.heavenfresh.ie  Prices from €15.99.
SCENT is a charming way to set the mood for a Christmas gathering as long as it doesn’t interfere with the most important aroma — that of the food. Candles are not all created equal. Before snuffing up some intoxicating and more than likely synthetic scent, consider the type of wax and wick you choose to alter the air quality in your home for even an hour.
Petro-chemically derived paraffin wax with dye and binders to fasten the scent is used in most inexpensive commercial candles. Cheap to produce, paraffin burns more quickly and less cleanly than an organic choice releasing a laundry list of potential allergens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Cotton wicks, beeswax or soy based mixes (canuba wax may be included ) and pure essential oils — this is why boutique, individually-blended and hand-poured candles command a greater price.
These crafted beauties should last longer and delight the senses when the Candy Cane Choker has guttered unevenly with a tell-tale black trail of paraffin and sooty wick — releasing cadmium and lead on its demise.
Burn candles occasionally rather than all day, in a draught-free, but well-ventilated room. Keep your pure cotton wick short, trimming as needed and never leave a lighting candle unsupervised.
Even using essential oils, an unscented candle in a natural wax is the healthy choice. For scent try the new range of reed diffusers using slender lengths of softwood and essential oil that will discreetly and safely paint the air with gorgeous perfume.
* Ensure all decorative lighting is in perfect condition without kinks or breaks. Only use joiners dedicated to that set. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the standard (BS EN 60598).
* Tape down cables used for trees and other decorations indoors and out and NEVER use indoor lights in the garden, even dribbled around the front door. Finish with a residual current device for peace of mind.
* Don’t overload sockets. Use an extension and choose low wattage LEDs to save money and beat the bills.
* If the tree or other fir-like greenery is immersed in water, don’t make the water available to pets. These fluids can be highly toxic. Needles can also pierce the throat of a small animal.
* Place any shattering ornaments in glass or plastic high up the tree out of reach of young fingers and paws. If in doubt, don’t use them.
* Check your fire alarm and carbon monoxide alarm are both in working condition with a ‘beep’ test. If they are due for a battery change in the coming weeks, do it now and enter the date in your diary.
* Put a guard on any open fire or proud stove and if necessary secure the guard to the wall. Visiting children may be fascinated and vulnerable to real flame.
* Never leave burning candles unattended. Room scenters or LED faux flames are a good alternative.
* Don’t wash down the turkey: the spatter created at the sink is more likely to spread hidden horrors such as salmonella.
* Avoid alcohol until the food preparation and cooking are over!
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
