The Health Risks of Poor Home Environment and How to Fix Them

Have you ever tried to enter a room — like a warehouse — that has not been used for a long time? There are old items lying around. It is so dusty you can see particles in the air. You try to clean the surface, but the amount of dust makes you sneeze. As if that’s not enough, you jump in surprise as a cockroach skitters out of some old furniture.

That is more or less the condition you face every day if you live in a house that is poorly maintained and not well organized, like living in an old warehouse. Squalor can hurt your health due to physical limitations, economic and household problems, or aging. This is indicated by the increasingly unhygienic condition of the house.

If you underestimate this and let it be, you invite disaster into your living environment. Respiratory problems, infections, and mental health issues are waiting for you.

This article will teach practical insights to achieve a healthier, cleaner, and safer home condition. You will learn about the health risks of a poor home environment, not only the problem of a messy house. Now is the time to make small changes that lead to big improvements, so read below!

Health risks of a poor home environment

Squalor can make your home look increasingly messy and visually unsightly. But more than that, it can also lead to health problems and poor housing conditions. Basically, health and homes are two things that go hand in hand and cannot be separated. Specifically, this bad home condition can create the conditions below.

Respiratory issues due to poor indoor air quality

Did you know that, according to the data from WHO in 2020, household air pollution was linked to approximately 3.2 million deaths annually, including more than 237,000 deaths among children under the age of 5?

Reduced indoor air quality from accumulated dust, mold, and pet dander negatively affects your health. It’s often caused by a lack of good ventilation and infrequent cleaning.

Most of the time, it relates to your breathing. Dust particles in your house carry allergens like pollen and small flakes of skin that may irritate your lungs and cause asthma or allergic symptoms. The longer you stay around these particles, the higher the chance you will have breathing problems, especially if you are diagnosed with previous respiratory conditions.

Another common air quality problem is mold. They thrive on dampness and emit spores into the air.

Inhaling these spores aggravates asthmatic symptoms and may lead to other chronic disorders, such as bronchitis or inflammation of the airways, making it very difficult to breathe. In prolonged exposure to molds, there could even be continuous coughing and wheezing.

If you have furry friends, their dander — small flakes of skin and fur — can also lower air quality, especially if your home doesn’t have proper airflow. The floating dander in the air can easily trigger allergic reactions, mainly among people with asthma or allergies.

Increased risk of infections

Every surface in your home requires regular cleaning. When you don’t keep your home clean, bacteria and viruses accumulate over time, especially on frequently touched surfaces.

This is especially true for areas like kitchens and bathrooms. They’re often left with excess water and not cleaned regularly. This makes it very easy for you and your family to get sick.

Germs usually hide on the things you touch, such as countertops, doorknobs, and light switches. It is here that illness spreads around the household if these areas are not cleaned regularly.

Good hygiene in the kitchen is necessary to avoid all types of foodborne illnesses. Bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli multiply rapidly on any dirty surface, with contaminated utensils or raw foods. If these germs get into your food, they can cause severe stomach problems.

Don’t forget that bathrooms can serve as a haven for germs when not cleaned often enough. Bacteria, molds, and viruses love damp areas, and dirty toilets, sinks, or floors are magnets for infections and skin problems.

Mental health challenges from clutter and disorganization

Environmental health issues can also lead to mental fatigue.

The chaos begins when too much stuff fills your space. Immediately, this visual clutter can trigger stress and anxiety because the disorganization engulfs your mind. There is an underlying nagging feeling that something always needs attention, making true relaxation or unwinding hard.

It also disturbs your focus and productivity level. Each time the things surrounding you are messy, the brain will need to struggle with everything since it’s challenging to focus on what matters. You may find it hard to achieve even the simple things due to frustration and mental fog.

Besides, disorganization in the home can overwhelm and discourage you. When the mess mounts, it may appear impossible to handle, which sets you off into procrastination or anxiety about knowing where to start. This will sap your energy and affect your mood. Instead of your home being your haven, it’s becoming your burden.

Environmental safety issues and higher risk for emergencies

Moreover, items left scattered on floors in living areas create environmental safety issues.

Cluttered hallways, stairs, and other frequent-use areas may cause falls that are particularly hazardous to young children and older adults. Sometimes, a small item left on the floor causes a lot of damage when it trips someone and injures them.

A cluttered home may also lead to complications in case of emergencies. For example, if you have to leave your house quickly in an emergency, clutter can get in the way of your fast escape. Piles block your path and/or are difficult to penetrate.

Pests and related health problems

Letting your home become extremely dirty and disorganized also invites unwanted small creatures to live among you.

Clutter creates hiding places and nesting sites that are very appealing to pests. Crumbs and spills, as well as other bits of food, also tend to collect, making them a source of freely available food for many unwanted critters.

These are not just mere inconveniences. They are a serious threat to your health. Rodents and insects may cause diseases that can be transmitted to humans, possibly leading to sickness. For example, rodents can carry Hantavirus, which causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) or severe respiratory distress and can be life-threatening.

Protocols for addressing a poor home environment

After reading and understanding how housing affects health, you understand that the presence of dust, mold, pests, and clutter in squalor conditions are certainly not things to be underestimated.

Therefore, taking steps to overcome poor home environments is very important. This will maintain your health and comfort, as well as that of your loved ones.

Improving indoor air quality

Indoor air quality is crucial for creating a healthy and comfortable home environment. The air inside your home can often be more polluted than the air outside. Therefore, you can try to take these actionable tips to enhance the quality of indoor air in your home:

Clean dust-prone areas regularly. One good practice is cleaning frequently used areas that bring dust into the house, such as rugs, baseboards, shelves, and other electronic devices.
Utilize air purifiers. Placing air purifiers in frequently used rooms, like the living room and bedroom, means the air you breathe is as clean as possible.
Open the windows. Another easy trick is to open your windows whenever the weather allows.

By implementing these practices, you can significantly improve indoor air quality, creating a healthier home environment for everyone inside your home.

Establishing a cleaning routine

A home cleaning routine sets the foundation for a space to be clean and healthy. A cleaning routine will keep you on track daily and help you efficiently control clutter through the following tips:

Design a cleaning plan. You must design a cleaning plan that outlines daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to keep you on track.
Include disinfection. Make sure you disinfect your home as often as possible, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, to help clear the area of germs and leave everything smelling fresh.
Conduct deep cleaning sessions. Spend some time weekly organizing the parts of your house where stuff gathers, like the entryway or living room.

By sticking to this cleaning routine, you can create a healthier, more organized home that makes everyday life easier and more enjoyable!

Learn more: Common Housekeeping Mistakes and the Proper Way to Clean Your Home

Decluttering to improve mental health

Decluttering is more than just cleaning up. It’s an excellent way to rejuvenate your mental health and create a serene home environment. You can feel lighter, focused, and ready to take over the world once the clutter-free space is available.

Here is how you get started on your decluttering journey:

Start small. Take your time with each one and ask if you use it or if it brings a spark of joy.
Categorize your items. You can make three simple piles: “keep,” “donate,” and “discard” to make the process easier as you make your decisions.
Think about unused items. Remember that the things you give away will make somebody else happy when you donate them. This could be one way of sharing and building a nice sense of community.
Get creative with your storage. You may use labeling containers to find things faster and easier, trimming down stress levels while making life more efficient in daily matters.

After all, a well-organized and inviting home isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about nurturing your mental well-being and creating a happy, relaxing space you love to be in!

Preventing and managing pest infestations

While keeping your home free from pests can be overwhelming, it can be quite easy with a few simple protocols in place. Taking proactive measures will create an environment that is less welcoming to these unwanted creatures.

To prevent pest infestations, store food, grains, and pet food in airtight containers and promptly clean up spills and crumbs to avoid attracting insects and rodents.

Regularly checking expiration dates is recommended to maintain a sterile environment. Additionally, take out the trash frequently, especially when it contains food waste, and ensure garbage is properly contained.

For additional preventive measures, inspect and seal cracks and openings around your home to block potential entry points for pests.

Other than that, you can also utilize some natural ingredients around your home to minimize risk. Peppermint oil, soaked in cotton balls and placed in areas with rodents, deters them with its scent. You can also utilize essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, or tea tree, which can be mixed with water or alcohol to create sprays that repel pests.

Keeping pests out of your home is manageable with a few simple habits. By following these easy steps, you can enjoy a clean, safe, and pest-free home.

In conclusion

The possible health effects of living in a poorly maintained house are grave, from acute respiratory troubles and viral and infectious diseases to nervous disorders. Such problems should be solved to protect your physical and mental health and your loved ones.

This article explored some protocols to improve indoor air quality, as well as tips on cleaning and organizing your house.

Do something different today that will help you live in a better place. Embrace these changes in your life and the advantages a cleaner, safer, more organized home brings forth in the cause of health and happiness in general.

If you would like to see more resources on squalor, check out the Home Organization Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Home Organization Science Labs today.

Photo by Freepik

Esther Ananta Gracella