You’ve decided to live a healthier lifestyle, but your home has been a challenge. Airborne pollutants and allergens in your home’s air and unhealthy contaminants in your tap water constantly threaten to undo all of your hard work. You want to create a safe and healthy environment for you and your family, but you don’t know where to start. Luckily, at FiltersFast.com, we offer a wide range of products to help you create a cleaner, safer living space.
Air
Studies show that indoor air can be 10 times more polluted than outdoor air. Poor indoor air quality can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms and may even lead to chronic headaches. Children are also at higher risk of developing health issues due to poor indoor air quality. Children spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and because of their size, they breathe twice as much air as adults. Maintaining the purity of your home’s air is essential to keeping you and your family healthy.
How do you know if your air quality is bad? There is no easy way to tell if you have poor indoor air quality. A few signs that your indoor air quality is bad is if you notice any bad smells or see clouds of smoke in your home’s air.
Factors that affect air
Pets: Pet dander is tiny flecks of skin that are shed by dogs, cats, rodents, birds, and other animals with fur or feathers. Pet dander can be a trigger to allergy and asthma.
Insects and other pests: Cockroach and dust mite droppings can cause asthma attacks.
Mold: Mold thrives in wet and damp places in your home. When mold grows in your home, it can make your home smell musty. There are a few types of mold that are toxic, and exposure to large amounts can lead to a range of health problems.
Carbon Monoxide: Carbon monoxide is an invisible, deadly gas that can come from appliances that burn gas, oil, coal, or wood. Car exhaust also contains carbon monoxide. All homes should have a carbon monoxide detector to warn of poisoning.
Radon: Radon is another gas that can get into your home and cause a multitude of health problems, including cancer. Radon is found throughout the United States and can enter some homes from the ground beneath them.
Hobbies and home projects: Sometimes these projects involve sanding, painting, welding, or using solvent-based chemicals, such as varnish or paint strippers. These types of projects can pollute your home’s air with dust or harmful chemicals.
Household products: Cleaners and other household products, especially those containing solvents, can pollute the air if used improperly.
New furniture, carpets, and building products: These essential household items can emit chemicals used in their manufacture.
Lead paint: If your home was built before 1978, there is a strong possibility that the paint in your home contains lead. Exposure to lead is extremely dangerous, especially for young children.
Smoking: One of the most obvious indoor air quality contaminants is cigarette smoking. Second-hand smoke can increase a child’s risk of ear infections, cause breathing problems, and trigger asthma attacks. Smoking also causes cancer and other health problems.
As you can see, there are tons of factors that can affect your indoor air quality, and the majority of them are things you can’t see. While there is no magic wand to wave and eliminate all of the contaminants in your home’s air, there are a few simple things that you can start doing now to create a healthier environment in your home.
Furnace Filters
First up is changing your furnace filter. It is recommended that you change your air filter at least every 1-3 months. Your HVAC filter will usually be located in or near your home’s furnace system. If your home has multiple levels, you will need a furnace filter for each level. Inspect your home’s furnace for the location of the furnace filter, or look for grill grates in the wall, ceiling, or floor.
Once you’ve found where your furnace filter is located, here are a few other resources that will be helpful to you before buying your air filter online:
- 3 Ways to Find the Air Filter Size You Need
- The Differences Between MERV Ratings – MERV 11 Recommended
- How to Install Your Furnace Filter
Once you’ve determined which size and MERV rating you need, we have a couple of great furnace filter recommendations for you.
Best budget-friendly air filters:
FiltersFast.com Brand Air Filters
FiltersFast.com Brand Furnace Filters are an affordable, high-quality option. Our pleated air filters are made in the USA and come in MERV 8, MERV 11, or MERV 13. We have a variety of sizes to choose from, and if you can’t find your size, we can make a custom air filter to your specifications!
Want to never have to remember when to order or change your air filters? Sign up for our Home Filter Club filter subscription program.
Most intelligent air filters:
Filtrete Smart Furnace Filters
Filtrete is one of the most recognizable names in air filters, which is why it’s no surprise that they were the first to create a smart air filter with a Bluetooth-enabled sensor that pairs with the Filtrete Smart App, letting you know exactly when it needs to be changed. These convenient air filters attract particles such as bacteria, virus carriers, mold spores, and pollen, helping keep your air clean. Take the guesswork out of filter maintenance and order today!
Air Purifiers
While changing your furnace filters is an effective way to improve indoor air quality, air purifiers add an extra layer of protection by removing lingering allergens and contaminants from your home’s air.
Budget-friendly Air Purifier:
The Honeywell HEPAClean Tabletop Air Purifier will capture up to 99% of micropscopic particles in the air. Its convenient countertop size makes it easy to set up and is perfect for offices, small bedrooms, and nurseries.
Honeywell HEPAClean Tabletop Air Purifier
Best splurge Air Purifier:
Airfree Air Purifiers
Airfree is the first air purifier brand of its kind to use patented Thermodynamic Sterilization System (TSS) technology to effectively purify the air. Airfree Air Purifiers use heat to purify the air silently, without filters, destroying microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and pollen. Yes, you read that right, this air purifier doesn’t require filter changes and is virtually maintenance-free! As of 2021, Airfree air purifiers are proven to destroy COVID-19. These innovative air purifiers will effectively sterilize 99.9% of the air. Airfree air purifiers are designed based on room size, so find the one that’s right for your home today.
Are odors still lingering in your home? Here are some affordable and environmentally friendly options to help rid your home of pesky smells!
Affordable Odor Eliminators:
LivePure CocoCarbon Air Purifying Bags
These easy-to-use activated carbon bags are an innovative and efficient way to eliminate unpleasant odors in your home. Simply place the bags around your home, and within minutes, you will have eliminated unpleasant odors for weeks on end. Recharge in the sun for an hour once a month to get the most out of these odor-absorbing bags.
LivePure CocoCarbon Air Purifying Bags
Best:
Aprilaire Healthy Home Air System
Aprilaire is one of the leading manufacturers of whole-home filtration and air quality products. Their products help you create a healthy home so you can enjoy living in a clean, safe space.
Aprilaire Healthy Air Systems provide fresh-air ventilation, air purification, and humidity control to fill your home with clean, healthy air.
Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Purifiers
Many factors affect your indoor air quality, including pollen from plants and outdoor sources. Having a filtration system can help clean the air in your home and provide relief from allergies and respiratory issues. If you’re looking for a new filter for your existing system or if you’re replacing your old furnace, an Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Purifier is the perfect investment.
Aprilaire Whole-Home Humidifiers
Air isn’t the only thing in your home that can affect your overall health. The humidity level in your home should be between 30% and 60%. Having a healthy humidity level in your home is also extremely important. Not only will it help keep your home healthy and comfortable, but a whole-home humidifier can also help reduce respiratory infections and allergy symptoms, and can help reduce the formation of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and dust mites. Plus, it can help preserve wood surfaces in your home, too!
Aprilaire Whole-Home Dehumidifiers
As we mentioned above, maintaining a healthy humidity level in your home is essential to keeping you and your family healthy. Maintaining a humidity level of 30-60% can be difficult without the right equipment. If your home is prone to high humidity, a whole-home dehumidifier is a must-have. Having a whole-home dehumidifier will help control your home’s humidity, protect surfaces and furnishings, reduce mold and mildew growth, and increase your home’s comfort.
Aprilaire Fresh Air Ventilators
Probably one of the most forgotten pieces of creating a healthy environment in your home is proper ventilation. Ventilation dilutes airborne particulates, saves energy by bringing in air when outdoor air is just right, helps maintain outdoor humidity, and facilitates indoor air movement. Get rid of stale, unhealthy air in your home by investing in a ventilation system today!
While each of these systems can be extremely effective on its own, having them all work together will ensure your home stays healthy and comfortable for years to come. It is recommended that you have an Aprilaire Professional install these systems.
Find a Healthy Air Pro in Your Area
Water
Americans drink more than 1 billion glasses of water every single day. Water is an essential part of our daily lives; we use it for cooking, cleaning, mixing baby formula, and bathing. As Americans, we assume that our water is mostly safe, and it is. Public drinking water in the United States is relatively safe for most people. People may also have well water or a private water supply, which means it is up to the owner to make sure their water is safe to drink and use.
Surprisingly, there are times when your home’s water supply might be unsafe to drink. Consuming or cooking with contaminated water can make you very sick, and it can also cause more serious issues in children since their immune systems are still developing.
What’s Lurking in Your Water?
Bacteria and viruses are the root causes of disease and illness. Drinking water with these germs can cause upset stomachs, diarrhea, or more serious illnesses.
Nitrate: Nitrate gets into water from animal and human waste and fertilizer. Too much nitrate in your water supply can cause many illnesses, such as blue baby syndrome, in babies younger than 6 months. This occurs when the baby is not getting enough oxygen in their blood, which causes their face to look blue or purple. This is one of the many reasons you must make sure the water you and your baby drink is clean.
Lead and copper: These metals get into your water through pipes. Too much lead in water can cause lots of health problems, especially in children. Babies who are exposed to too much copper can have colic or spit up their formula more often. Too much copper can cause upset stomach or diarrhea in older children and adults.
Chlorine & Chloramine: In the United States, safe levels of chlorine and chloramines are added to municipal water supplies to help kill harmful bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants that can make us very sick. Some people are more sensitive to chlorine taste and smell and may need to invest in a water treatment system to reduce them. Currently, there are harmful health effects connected to the consumption of trace amounts of chlorine or chloramines.
Refrigerator Filters
Refrigerators with a water dispenser make it easy to stay hydrated. Although getting water from your fridge is extremely convenient, it’s important to change your refrigerator filter at least every 6 months to ensure the water you drink is free of contaminants.
Not all refrigerators are designed the same way, so important to ensure that you are purchasing and installing the correct filter.
Here are a few helpful resources to help you find the refrigerator water filter you need:
- Which Refrigerator Filter Do I Need?
- How to Flush Your Refrigerator Water Filter
- Refrigerator Filter Installation Troubleshooting Tips
- Common Refrigerator Filter Problems Explained
Water Filter Pitchers
Stop buying costly bottled water and invest in a convenient water filter pitcher! Water filter pitchers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and filtering capabilities, so you are sure to find the one that best fits your space and filtration needs. Water filter pitchers are not only convenient but also cost-effective!
At FiltersFast.com, we carry a variety of water filter pitcher brands and replacement filters for your convenience.
Countertop Water Filter Systems
Enjoy clean, filtered water right at your fingertips with a convenient Countertop Water Filter System. Water filters reduce levels of lead, arsenic, chromium, chlorine, and many other contaminants in your water. The best thing you can do for your health is to protect it. We carry a variety of different countertop water filter systems to best fit your space and your budget.
Shop Countertop Water Filter Systems
Under-sink Water Filter Systems
Don’t have room for a countertop water filter system? No problem! Under-counter water filter systems offer the same great convenience and are installed underneath your sink. We also carry a wide variety of under-sink water filter systems that are easy to install and require easy filter changes. Explore our selection and find the one that’s right for you today!
Shop Under-sink Water Filter Systems
Showerhead Water Filters
Did you know? Showering in water full of impurities can take a toll on your health. Shower filters are easy to install and provide clean water for bathing. You’ll notice almost instantly that you not only feel healthier, but your hair and skin look healthier too! Do yourself a favor and invest in a shower water filter today!
Whole-Home Water Filter Systems
One filtered water at every touchpoint in your home? Whole-home water filter systems will deliver fresh, healthy water to every kitchen, bathroom, and water-using appliance inside your home. Whole-house water systems are installed on your house’s main water line, and many require easy filter changes. Take the guesswork out of wondering if the water you’re using is good for you and invest in a whole-house water filtration system today!
Shop Whole-Home Water Filter Systems
Other Healthy Home Products
Aside from air and water, which may seem like the most obvious places in your home to focus on when it comes to keeping things clean, there are a few other, less frequently used, yet often overlooked areas of your home that are crucial for maintaining your home’s health.
Smart Choice Probiotic Cleaners
Appliances in your home, like dishwashers, clothes washers, and kitchen sinks, are used to wash things you use every day, but we seldom clean them. It is recommended that you regularly deep-clean these appliances to keep your clothes and dishes clean. Smart Choice Probiotic Cleaners make it easy to keep these appliances clean and ensure they clean effectively.
Smart Choice Probiotic Sink and Disposer Cleaner
Smart Choice Probiotic Dishwasher Cleaner
Smart Choice Probiotic Washer Cleaner
Brondell Bidets
There are many benefits to using a bidet. Not only will using a bidet cut down on the cost of toilet paper, but it also offers many health benefits! For women, bidets can help relieve odors and discomfort caused by cervical, vaginal, or degenerated endometrial particles during menstruation. It can also provide soothing relief for yeast and urinary tract infections. For pregnant women, bidets can provide relief from tenderness and irritation associated with hemorrhoids and make cleansing easier when things become a little harder to reach. For men, a bidet can relieve hemorrhoids and constipation and give seniors a sense of independence. Children can also benefit from using bidets, as it helps them properly cleanse after a trip to the toilet.
We are proud to carry Brondell Bidets to help make it easy to add luxury to your bathroom and a hygienic clean after every visit.
No matter where you are on your health journey, we’re always here to help provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to live a healthier lifestyle. Let us know in the comments what you’re doing to maintain a healthy home, and as always, let us know if you have any questions!
Katie says
Peter,
Thanks for your comment and for reading our blog!
Peter says
Its definitely needed to stay healthy at home. Thanks for sharing this.