Tidying is having a(nother) moment right now in part due to Marie Kondo’s new show on Netflix. The new show has pushed people to reconsider their tidying habits. You’ve probably heard the question, “Does it spark joy?”, when it comes to keeping and letting go of things you own. We believe decluttering, if done right, can also spark health!

Decluttering in general is associated with lots of benefits like improved concentration and mood, decreased stress, and better sleep. When you declutter for a healthy home you may notice other benefits like less coughing and respiratory symptoms and fewer headaches.  Follow our tips and declutter your way to a healthier home!

Declutter For Less Dust!

Knicknacks, decorative items, piles of books and magazines, and general household clutter provide lots of extra surface area for dust, mold, bacteria, and more to hide and flourish. Keeping surface areas mostly bare cuts down on cleaning time and possibly the need to clean as often! A double-win.

Let Your Closets Breathe.

Overstuffed closets make it hard for air to circulate. Lack of air movement combined with temperature changes and lots of fabric makes is a great space for mold to grow, both on closet walls and on clothes, towels, and linens too. Freeing up closet space reduces risk of mold and makes it easier to find what you want to wear and to put away laundry.  Consider consignment or donation for clothing and let someone else find joy. Towels and bed linens can often new life at animal shelters.

Eliminate Synthetic Scents.

Take decluttering to the next level. Products with synthetic fragrances contribute to poor air quality for everyone and can be especially problematic for people with asthma or chemical sensitivity. From scented candles and room sprays to potpourri and plug-ins, gather them from all the corners, tabletops, and cupboards and dispose of them safely.

Cleaning Supplies Need Cleaning, Too.

Cleaning is considered essential to a healthy home, but the chemicals in many household cleaning and laundry products aren’t very healthy additions to your home. Take an opportunity to switch to less-toxic, non-fragranced products and limit what you have on hand to the essentials. “Natural” or “green” doesn’t always mean less-toxic, so read labels carefully. Store them safely in tightly sealed containers, ideally away from living spaces, especially bedrooms.

Less exposure to chemicals, dust, and mold is healthy for everyone, but especially important if you have asthma, allergies, or are chemically sensitive.  Use this opportunity to have not only a tidy home, but also a healthy one!

Here are 5 more quick tips to help you make your home healthier.