While minimalism’s origins began in art, the movement grew to include lifestyle choices as well. One of the goals of those seeking this way of living is to intentionally reduce possessions and only keep those things that bring value and happiness. By surrounding ourselves with items that serve a purpose, the idea is that we’ll have more time and energy to devote to other areas of our lives, like spending time with loved ones. This intentional way of living can also reduce clutter in a home, save money, and lessen our impact on the environment. Why is removing dust important? Gravity brings particles like mold spores, mycotoxins, and endotoxins down to horizontal surfaces like floors, door frames, and furniture. So basically, where dust collects, so do these indoor contaminants. When this layer of particulate matter gets kicked up into the air, it will lower indoor air quality and allow contaminants like mold spores, mycotoxins, and bacteria to enter our bodies through inhalation. Living consciously through minimalism involves choosing items with intention and care. A factor that minimalists can consider that will help improve their home health is whether or not the item can easily be cleaned. Opt for nonporous materials like sealed wood, metal, glass, etc., as they can be cleaned more thoroughly. The key aspect to consider in making these health-conscious decisions is whether the product can help eliminate microscopic particles from an indoor space. In my opinion, a few great options include: An air purifier: A good air purifier will help to remove microscopic pollutants so that they’re not circulating through our indoor spaces and making their way into our bodies. Those looking to invest in an air purifier should ensure that it at least meets HEPA status, but if it can remove more contaminants, that’s even better. Whole-home air purifiers are the best route. These systems are installed at the home’s point of entry and will effectively remove contaminants from the air so that the HVAC system can run efficiently. As an added bonus, they also offer a layer of protection for the HVAC itself by eliminating contaminants before they enter the system. A HEPA vacuum cleaner: HEPA filters capture 99.7% of particles, down to 0.3 micron in size. This allows HEPA vacuums to actually filter out small particles instead of just blowing them straight back into the environment. Botanical cleaning products: These products utilize natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals to deal with contaminants on a surface, making them safer both for our bodies and for the environment. Here are a few top options. At-Home Testing Kits: Like our bodies, it’s important to regularly check our homes for any issues. Just because we can’t see a problem doesn’t mean it’s not present and negatively affecting our air quality. Using tools like The Dust Test annually can help determine if high levels of contaminants are in the home that need to be addressed. Having this financial nest egg can also provide resources to properly deal with any issue that occurs in a home that could lower the indoor air quality, like water damage. The sooner a problem is addressed, the better. As President of HomeCleanse, Rubino specializes in working with people who are immunocompromised or have acute and sustained reactions to mold exposure. He works closely with the company’s advisory team, which includes global well-being trailblazers Deepak Chopra’s The Chopra Foundation and Gwyneth Paltrow, to achieve the company’s mission to improve the quality of life for 100 million people each year by 2030. Rubino is also the founder of Change the Air Foundation, a nonprofit committed to empowering the world to achieve better health by establishing safer and healthier indoor environments. Through collaboration with over 100 doctors globally, Rubino strives to not only raise awareness globally but also provide solutions to correctly identify and remove the pollutants causing this worldwide health crisis. Rubino specializes in working with people who are immunocompromised or have acute and sustained reactions to mold exposure and has helped heal over 1,000 families so far—including celebrities and athletes. He is a council-certified Mold Remediation Supervisor by ACACa nd IICRC and is a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association.
Connect with Michael Rubino on Facebook @HomeCleanseCo, Instagram @TheMichaelRubino and TikTok @HomeCleanse, and visit www.homecleanse.com.
