Live Naturally

Weather and climate depend on various factors over which we have no control. However, we can adjust to them by dressing according to the weather. We can ensure a good living climate ourselves. A significant influence on the well-being in rooms have temperature, humidity, drafts, odors as well as pollutants.

Proper ventilation against mold and pollutants.

Our modern construction with good waterproofing and effective thermal insulation has advantages: We have high living comfort and low heating costs. What is lost is a ventilation of the apartments and houses, unwanted in older buildings, but still useful. With the result that our living spaces are threatened by dampness and thus mold growth, and pollutants and toxins can accumulate due to the lack of air exchange. Only regular and proper airing can help against this. This is best done 3-4 times a day by cross-ventilation: Open two opposite windows and ventilate for about 5 minutes. The heating should be turned off beforehand to save energy. Attention: If it is cold outside, you should not ventilate for too long. Because this will cool down the walls and furniture. If the heating is turned up again after closing the windows, the temperature differences between the warming air and the cold walls and furniture are too great and large amounts of water vapor condense. The walls and the air in the room become damp.

Humidity in rooms

The humidity of rooms is also important, both for the mucous membranes in the mouth and nose, and for personal well-being. The easiest way to increase the humidity is to use water evaporators, which are hung on the radiators. For a fresh scent, you can add a few drops of essential oils to taste. Attention: the higher the humidity, the lower the temperature must be. In fact, at high humidity, the body’s cooling effect through transpiration is lower – the ambient temperature may be lower. The humidity can be checked with so-called hygrometers, which are already available from 5, – euros.

Avoid pollutants

Of course, it should be clean in our private environment, that is, home. But please not germ-free. Because the human body is not defenseless against microorganisms. Rather, he is accustomed to deal with them without getting sick. Disinfection should therefore not be an issue in the private environment and under normal conditions. This is because not only the bad germs, i.e. those that cause illness, are killed in the process, but also the harmless ones. And you deprive the body of the opportunity to train its defenses.

  • Wall paint: it is good to choose low-pollutant paints and varnishes. If wall paints are labeled with the “Blue Angel”, they give off no or hardly any substances hazardous to health.
  • Furniture: they may be treated with hazardous substances, for example, harmful varnishes or adhesives. Orientation is provided by various seals of approval, for example, the RAL seal of approval, the “Golden M” – of the “Deutsche Gütergemeinschaft Möbel” or the badge “Blue Angel”. These products have been tested in independent laboratories according to strict criteria.
  • Floor coverings: They can release numerous substances of concern. Formaldehyde or even PCP are often found just in cheap products. PVC floors can evaporate ecologically questionable plasticizers, glued carpets solvents. But even natural materials can be treated with pyrethroids (insecticides) to protect against moths.
  • Tips for carpets:
    • For allergy sufferers: if at all, better buy short pile than long pile carpets, bind the dust better
    • Carpet rather brace than glue
    • Before buying note: tested for harmful substances does not necessarily mean free of harmful substances.
  • Asbestos: banned in Germany since 1993. Nevertheless, it can still be found in night storage heaters, insulation boards, insulation and backs of PVC floors worn through. If asbestos is suspected, you should never take action yourself and, for example, tear out floors from your home. This is because the asbestos fibers that are released can have a carcinogenic effect. Better to hire a specialist company.
  • Electrosmog: Electric and magnetic fields arise where there are power lines, cables and transmitters. High-frequency electromagnetic fields are generated by cordless phones, cell phones, cell phone shielding products, wireless “networks”, radio headphones, microwave or baby monitors.Therefore, especially in the bedroom, do without unnecessary electrical appliances and turn off their cell phones at night.

4 care tips

  1. Maintain wooden furniture and make it shine: For furniture polish, put 125 ml of good olive oil and 1/4 tsp of lemon oil in a bottle. Apply the mixture (shake well before applying) thinly to the furniture and let dry briefly. Then polish with a soft duster.

  2. Remove water marks on wooden furniture: quite simply halve a walnut kernel and rub the water ring several times with it.

  3. Vinegar glass cleaner: Mix 170 ml of water, 90 ml of vinegar essence and 2 drops of lemon oil. Practical: Store the solution in a spray bottle.

  4. Natural drain cleaner: It is used preventively against soap residues and grease in the sink, once a week. To do this, pour 60 g of sodium bicarbonate, 110 g of salt and 125 ml of vinegar essence into the drain. After a quarter of an hour, rinse with boiling water.