7 Upgrades for a Healthier Bathroom

Breathe easier in the room where you begin and end your day. Here is our best advice for cleaning up your bath and preventing mold, bacteria, and viruses from taking hold.

See more easy upgrades to make your home healthier at thisoldhouse.com!

1.Avoid using cleansers with ammonia and chlorine (and never, ever mix them). These irritate skin and lungs, and even provoke asthma.

2. Dehumidify. Run your ceiling vent fan after every shower. Install a switch timer to make sure it runs at least 20 minutes to vent moist, mildew-attracting air outside.

MORE:How to Flu-Proof Your Home

3.Replace failing caulk and cracked tiles to discourage mold from growing behind the walls. For how-to advice on fixing both, click here.


4. Sanitize faucets, where germs and flu viruses collect fast. Wipe them down with a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution or try wipes that use plant oils to kill germs and viruses, such as EPA-certified Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes ($5.75; seventhgeneration.com).

MORE:5 of the Best Nontoxic Cleaners You Aren't Using

5. Swap out vinyl shower curtains for washable nylon or polyester ones. Vinyl can contain phthalates, which may be hazardous to reproductive health. Similar to shown here: Nylon Hotel Shower Curtain ($20; restorationhardware.com).

6. Avoid chemical grout cleaners. Make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide instead, and let it sit on grout for 30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.

MORE:15 Ways Your Home Can Make You Infertile

7. Install a whole-house water filter to reduce exposure to airborne chlorine while you're showering. Or try a filtered showerhead, such as Aquasana's Shower Filtration System ($85; aquasana.com).

Find more advice on keeping a healthy home at thisoldhouse.com!


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The Recycled, Repurposed, Nontoxic House

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