Can a Dirty House Make You Sick?

Do you know that a clean home is one of the best defenses against sickness, flu, virus, or COVID-19? A clean house protects you and your family from illness and helps your mental health. But what about the opposite? Can a Dirty House Make You Sick?

A dirty house can indeed make you sick. A messy bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom are breeding grounds for disease, allergens, bacteria, and fungi. For instance, if you leave your dishes uncleaned or the floors are not vacuumed, your house could be invaded with bacteria, germs, rodents, or even bugs which are proven to cause health problems. 

If you think your dirty house can make you sick, take action immediately! Start by cleaning the entire house, from top to bottom. This article will tackle the health risks of living in a dirty house and some tips for keeping it clean.

Why Can a Dirty House Make You Sick?

Homes contain a variety of environments, which, left uncleaned, can become filthy and contaminated quickly. And the more dirt, grime, and dust you have at home, your risk of developing allergies, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses increases.

Anyone living in a dirty house is also at risk of developing cancer and lung disease because of environmental carcinogens.

What in Your House Can Make You Sick?

Germs, bacteria, or viruses can multiply in a dirty home. Be mindful of the common things that make your home dirty and messy.

Carpeting 

A lot of harmful allergies and microorganisms are hiding in the carpet. The warm surface of a rug allows germs to attach to the fibers. Cleaning your carpet regularly ensures a clean carpet and protects you and your family from health risks.

Hidden Mold

Mold does not only grow in a dirty home. They can grow in moist areas. Be on the lookout for moist-prone areas such as heating vents, kitchen sinks, and anywhere with high humidity levels.

Smoking/ Burning Food

If you or a family member smoke in your house, you are polluting the air in your home, which can cause asthma and respiratory problems for anyone in the home. Burning food on your stovetop or in your oven can also cause air pollution.

Pets

Make sure to clean your pet’s paws after walking them. They can also bring dirt and dust into your house. Pets are also vulnerable to health issues when they ingest dirt.

Air Ducts

The air ducts in your home are one of the most neglected parts of the house. Over time, ducts are filled with pollen, dust, pet hair, and the like. For this reason, the indoor air flowing through the vents can become contaminated, leading to a dirty house and respiratory problems.

Mattresses, Pillows, and Bed Sheets

A dirty bedroom may cause allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems. It can cause the proliferation of dust mites as they feed on your dead skin cells.

Which Part of a Dirty House Can Make You Sick?

The most used areas in your house are the usual breeding grounds for mold, dust mites, viruses, or bacteria. Make sure to clean these areas to ensure a clean and healthy home.

Kitchen

If kitchen items, appliances, or dishwashers are left unclean, this may lead to mold and bacteria buildup. Unclean spoons, plates, cutlery, and even your unwashed hands can contaminate raw meat or food. 

On the other hand, a dirty oven can be a severe fire hazard. Hence, keeping the kitchen clean at all times will protect your family from illnesses and other dangers. 

Bathroom

Bathroom floors and surfaces are susceptible to parasites or germs that may cause human illnesses. A dirty bathroom is a home to various kinds of bacteria, such as staphylococcus and E. coli which causes stomach sickness and cramps.

Take note that germs may not only be found around the toilet. Warm moisture from the faucet and shower can make the bathroom prone to mold, triggering asthma symptoms and allergies.

Bedroom

Nothing beats falling into a clean and comfy bedroom. However, your bedroom is an area that can become prone to bacteria, dust, and pests. Make sure to clean your room, especially the bedsheets, to avoid bacteria-inducing diseases.

Living Room

Families spend most of their time in the living room. So it’s important to keep it clutter-free and well-vacuumed. If you leave the living room dirty, the whole family will be exposed to dust, mold, and the like. 

What are the Health Risks of Living in a Dirty House?

Living in a dirty house is detrimental to your health. Here are four health risks associated with a moldy shower or a dirty bathroom.

Skin Infections

A dirty home may cause potential skin irritants in bacteria-hidden areas such as a dirty bathroom. If you continue to reside in a filthy environment, you may develop a skin infection. 

Respiratory Problems

Respiratory problems may occur through excessive smoke and dirt. Mold, dust mites, and other allergens may increase in a dirty environment, making those with allergies and asthma suffer from breathing difficulties. 

In severe cases, exposure to a cluttered environment may develop allergies and cause an asthma attack. 

Gastrointestinal Problems

A dirty home can also trigger gastrointestinal upsets. Exposure to mold or dust can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Furthermore, once the food is improperly stored in an unclean environment, it may cause food poisoning. Some symptoms may include stomach cramps and vomiting.

Can a Dirty House Affect Your Physical Health?

Yes, a dirty house can affect your physical health. It can lead to skin irritation, breathing problems, and allergies. A cluttered home can cause headaches, fatigue, infection, and general irritation. 

A dirty home can also be a factor in developmental delays for children. A study has proven that poor hygiene at home is a potential stress to children leading to a child’s poor brain development. 

Can a Dirty House Affect Your Mental Health?

A dirty house will make you vulnerable to mental health problems. It is proven in numerous studies that a cluttered home or room can contribute to one’s poor concentration, stress, and anxiety. 

When a house is dirty, a person may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and out of control. This may lead to anxiety disorder and depression. 

How Do I Get a Clean and Healthy House?

Hiring a cleaning company to keep your home clean is a good idea. But if you’re on a budget, doing the household chores to keep the house clean is not a far-fetched goal. Here are various cleanliness tips to make your home clean. 

Empty Your Trash Can Regularly

If you leave your trash can full of trash, your house will most likely be invaded by cockroaches and houseflies. As such, empty the bin and clean it regularly. Replace the lid after cleaning it to avoid pests.

Clean the Kitchen

The kitchen is the highlight of your house. It is often one of the dirtiest places in the house because it is used regularly for cooking. Clean the kitchen afterward with a clean damp cloth, mild soap, and water. 

Keep the Bathroom Dry

The bathroom needs your daily attention. It needs to be clean not only for good hygiene but a clean bathroom gives a good impression to guests. Wipe the bathroom floor, doors, tub, and walls after use. Removing excess water and opening the windows will make it dry and fresh.

Keep the Living Room Tidy

Organizing the things in the living room is the best way to start keeping it tidy. Pile the newspapers, books, or magazines on the shelves. Always make time to declutter the coffee table daily. 

Keep the Bedroom Organized

Keep the bedroom clean to help get a good night’s sleep. Don’t make the bedroom a storeroom. Only allow things meant to be in the bedroom. Also, don’t allow anyone to eat in the bedroom to prevent messy or unwanted spills.

How Often Should I Clean My House?

Clean your house regularly. Regular cleaning will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed with household chores at the end of the week. Wait to do major clean-ups at the end of the week.

Sweep or vacuum the floor, and wipe surfaces and counters with disinfectants or mild soap weekly. Also, replace your bedding with clean ones at the end of the week (dirty bed sheets, pillowcases, and blankets).

Conclusion

Nothing beats a clean home. It is healthy, relaxing, and, most of all smells good. Yes, a dirty home is susceptible to various diseases, while a clean home decreases the risk of getting sick. Therefore, cleaning the house is crucial in keeping yourself healthy.

If you are interested in learning what else a clean house can do for you, check out our post – Does Having a Clean House Make You Feel Better?