Opening the windows for at least 10 minutes a day to ease ventilation is enough. Without a proper ventilation, polluting particles and humidity can damage both the home and residents.
If you use a bottled gas stove, it will take more than 10 minutes to remove the increased humidity caused by the stove.
PLANTS BENEFITS
Vegetation has many benefits: it regulates temperature, protects from noise and improves air quality. There are several ways to place them in a house, for example, by using pots, standing plants or hanging from the ceiling; you will achieve a greater sound absorption since it will avoid the echo. Or just place plants all around the house, it can make you feel better and has a positive psychological effect.
It is advisable to choose plants matching with the local environment, to facilitate maintenance and avoid potential deterioration caused by excessive heat or freezing. Also, discart invasive species that may replace indigenous species.
ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
Instead of using chemical fertilizers, it is highly recommended to use organic fertilizers, since they can minimize the resources used and the natural organic material is recycled without damaging the environment.
The term “chemical fertilizer” refers to any substance based on synthetic components specially created to favour crop yield. Some of them are ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium chloride, and others. Organic fertilizers are derived from the remains or of living organisms. A pesticide is any substance used to kill, repel, or control certain plants or animals considered as pests.
ORGANIC CLEANING PRODUCTS
Try to use organic products for both house cleaning and personal hygiene, since non-ecological stuff can damage the environment, both outside and inside the house, since they generate polluting substances and waste. For example, VOCs existing in cleaning products can affect the airquality inside the house, and also pollutes the outside air.
AVOID PACKAGING
Start considering buying in bulk. It avoids producing waste.
EAT HEALTHY
It is important to eat 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables every day, as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends. Fruits and vegetables are essential for human nutrition due to the great benefits they bring to your body. Try to have local and seasonal food to reduce the ecological footprint.
It is very important to keep the body hydrated, that is why the WHO recommends drinking 1.5/2 litres of water a day. Drinking sugary beverages is associated to weight gain, obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, liver problems, tooth decay, cavities, gout and some types of arthritis.