Moms are the best. They fed us, they clothed us, and they bathed us. Even when we didn’t deserve it, they still loved us and tried to teach us how to be a good person. Being a mom isn’t easy, but through even the toughest times, they tried to impart wisdom upon us.

Moms taught us how to tie our shoes and how to persevere through tough times. They even taught us how to keep our home clean, and your HVAC system, without you noticing! Let’s revisit some of mom’s most valuable cleanliness lessons together in honor of Mother’s Day.

Don’t Burn That!

Fire is fascinating to watch, especially for a child. Wood, cans, wrappers, and even your sister’s toys will quickly disappear when you throw them into the campfire. One reason why mom scolded you for throwing things into the fire is that some items release toxins when they burn.

Breathing smoke from melted plastics, painted wood, and plants like poison ivy is harmful to your lungs. Many municipalities outlaw trash burning, in part because it releases toxins. You should refrain from burning your trash even if your city allows it. The smoke is bad for you, your neighbors, and all of the plants around your home.

Lighting a fire inside on a cold day is really relaxing, but you should never burn green or other smoky wood inside. No fire is worth the mess you’ll cause in your home and the damage you’ll do to your lungs. Try to limit your exposure to fires. Your home and your lungs will be better off if it’s an infrequent hobby.

Grow a Garden

Gardening seems to come naturally to moms. Somehow, the things they grow always taste better than what you can buy in a store.

Whether it’s the extra love in the produce or the sense of satisfaction we get from eating something that improved the environment, we’re not sure.

Mom’s green thumb was beneficial indoors too. An easy way to improve in-home air quality is to keep a few plants inside. When they draw impurities out of the air, they give the HVAC system a break. Your furnace and air conditioner have filters, but plants reduce the amount of dust and microbes that the filters need to pluck from the air.

If you really want fresh indoor air, a two-prong approach is a great idea. Spread a few plants throughout your home, and make sure you change your HVAC filters regularly. If you’d like to take it up a notch, open your windows for a few minutes each day to let in some fresh air. Take advantage of all of those trees outside that are working overtime to pull pollution out of the air!

Vacuum That Floor!

Unannounced visitors aren’t the only reason mom likes to keep the house clean. Chores like dusting and vacuuming are no fun, not now and not when you were a kid, but they’re essential for improving home air quality.

There’s no hard-and-fast rule about how often you should dust and vacuum your home. Your climate and individual needs will determine the correct frequency. If you have pets or allergies, you should vacuum the floor at least twice a week.

If you live in a dry, dusty climate, you should do it even more often. The longer you go between cleanings, the more particles you’ll breathe in each day. Dirty houses can exacerbate breathing issues for young and old people, as well as those with allergies and asthma.

Even if you don’t have breathing trouble, cleaner air will improve your overall health so vacuum that floor often! Mom was right about the importance of keeping your house clean. Give her a big hug on Mother’s Day and thank her for the valuable lessons she taught you. At Reliability Home Services we know we will! You’re healthy and well because of her.