5 toxic substances to look out for in your home

Although many of us don’t realise it, homes are often full of potentially toxic substances. In many cases, there can be easy steps to prevent these substances from doing harm. Here are just five of the most dangerous substances of which to be wary.

Lead

Lead was once a common ingredient in many household paints until people realised that it was highly toxic. Ingesting lead can lead to kidney failure, brain damage and, in serious cases, death. Peeling paint is the biggest danger – especially if you have infants or pets that are most likely to put flakes in their mouth. The sale of lead paint has been banned in most places around the world, however many homes are thought to still have lead paint on their walls. You can test for lead using a lead test kit. There are lead removal companies that can help to remove this substance for you.

VOCs

Whilst all modern paints are lead-free, many still contain other toxic chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are given off as vapours primarily when paint is still wet, however they can continue to be released for years after. Whilst they aren’t as much of a hazard as lead, they’ve been linked to headaches and dizziness. Long-term exposure could even result in an added risk of cancer. There are many low VOC paints that don’t emit these harmful vapours – you should opt for these where possible.

Asbestos

Asbestos was once a commonly used construction material heralded for its fire-proof and insulating qualities. Sadly, this miracle material was found to be highly dangerous when damaged – microscopic particles of asbestos can be released into the air and breathed in, which can cause major irritation to the lungs. Asbestos has been directly linked to a lung cancer called mesothelioma, as well as causing CPD in many people. If you suspect you have asbestos in your home, you should call a professional asbestos removal team to deal with it.

Urea formaldehyde

Urea formaldehyde is a chemical that is commonly used as a glue in many pressed wood products. It has been known to give off vapours that can be irritating to the eyes and throat and has been known to bring on asthma attacks. Whilst still used today in many products, it’s usually done so in a careful and controlled manner that prevents the release of vapours. The biggest danger is older pressed wood products – particularly from the 1970s when these products were most popular. You should keep your home well ventilated if you have such products (or get rid of them).

Benzene

Benzene is an ingredient emitted by many household products and has been proven to be carcinogenic. Some of the main culprits to look out for are mothballs and air fresheners. Not all mothballs and air fresheners contain this ingredient – in fact, the number that do contain benzene are disappearing – however it’s still an ingredient of which you should be careful. The full name of the ingredient is ‘paradichlorobenzene’ and should be listed on the products ingredients on the packaging.

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Preparing for your move

If you’ve ever needed to move, you’ll understand how difficult a process it can be. Every decision you make and every free minute that you have seems to revolve around packing up your personal belongings, contacting movers and worrying about everything that can go wrong. Most of us don’t move often, but when we do, it can cause us a lot of stress and anxiety. The pressure that we feel when we move can take a toll on other aspects of our lives, including our families, our jobs and our hobbies.

To make your move less stressful, there are some things for which you should always be prepared. You need to fully understand the costs of a move, how you can be best organised for a move and what you will need for a move.

Costs of moving

The costs of moving can be expensive whether you plan to hire a moving company or do it on your own. The American Moving and Storage Association found that the average intrastate move costs about 2,300 dollars, while a long distance move can cost about 4,300 dollars. While many people may think that it’s more cost efficient to do the move themselves, this isn’t always the case.

When you take into consideration the cost of renting the truck, the petrol you’ll use, the miles you’ll travel, the equipment you’ll rent and the time it will take you to load, unload and drive the truck to the new location and back, you’ll realise it may be more cost efficient to hire movers.

Hiring movers, like Allied Movers, could help save you money and time. Movers will make the entire process of moving much less stressful. They are professionals who are equipped to handle any sized move across all distances.

If you’re worried about saving for the cost of a move, contact a selection of moving companies to get free estimates. They may be able to offer you discounts if you move during less busy times to help you save money.

Organising for your move

It’s critical that you’re organised for the day of your move. You need to start packing your personal belongings in advance to ensure that you’re ready when it’s time to move. However, before you start throwing all of your personal belongings into boxes you need to ensure that it’s organised so you don’t accidentally pack things that you’ll need.

The first thing you should do is make a list of everything that you’ll need on the day of your move. These items should be packed last and should go into a moving day box. These items will be easily accessible because they’ll be the final thing you put on the removal truck, and therefore the first thing you take off at the other end.

The next thing you want to do is start packing up the things you don’t use frequently. These things can get packed away early because there’s only very small chance that you’ll need them before you move. Be sure to clearly label all of your boxes so that you know where to unload them when you get them to your new home.

Once you’ve only a few things left that you use regularly you should start packing them up room by room. Clearing out one room at a time will make you feel like you’re making progress.

What do you need for a move?

If you’ve ever moved before, you’ll know there are things that you’re always going to need that you may not have thought of. You’ll need extra tape, boxes, markers and labels for the last-minute items you need to pack.

You’ll also need cleaning supplies to help you clean up any debris that remains. You should also leave out a few snacks and drinks to consume during a move because a move always tends to take longer than you expect.

Be sure to have your wallet, photo ID, mobile phone and other personal items close to you at all times. You never know if you’re going to need money or proof of identity to show the movers that show up. If you’re moving on your own, you’ll definitely need these items to pay for petrol and other things that you may not have thought about.

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Copper highlights and finishing touches

We’ve been adding some finishing touches to our top floor ‘bedroom-cum-lounge’ area. It’s a room that we spend lots of time in during the winter. Well, that’s an understatement really – we almost hibernate up there! It feels like our cosy den. There’s computer access, Sonos music system, big TV, comfy places to sit (or sleep) – and a wood-burning stove. We gravitate up there from September onwards as the days shorten and weather worsens.

Re-decoration of the space has been a gradual process over the last year or so. We wanted an enclosed, warm and cosy feel. Lots of dark grey and black, with natural wood shades and metallic highlights. This pair of copper coloured, glass bedside lamps was our most recent purchase. We thought they were just perfect, especially considering that they came complete with the ideal shades. They’re from Wayfair, £54.99 each.

We bought a box of LED Edison filament bulbs for them which we thought would be prettier than plain white ones. The lamps are quite magical when lit, lifting and transforming the room with their warm, copper glow.

This is no ‘minimalist look’ space and we add ornament quite freely – particularly antique mirrors, drawers, display cases, candle holders – and objects of interest. We love the ‘collectors’ look’ – so their are lots of fossils, feathers, skulls, pebbles and shells dotted around the room.

You might have noticed that expanse of furry loveliness across the bed – another recently purchased finishing touch.

It’s a very good quality, imitation chinchilla fur bedspread. The subtle colour tones of cream, brown and grey work wonderfully. It’s very tactile and super warm too.

We’d been looking for a large container for an equally large plant. This fabulous copper log bin arrived in our local antiques centre one day, so it was a ‘must buy’. We love the reflective surface and aged patina of the metal.

A bottom up blind for this room had also been on our shopping list for some time. We already have one fitted in the ground floor lounge. It lets daylight in whilst adding privacy at street level. Also, the view at the front of our house is much nicer at higher levels. Lower down it’s a bit grubby and industrial, further up is a lovely hillside with trees, shrubs and climbers clinging to the steep valley sides.

The blind downstairs is a sandy, cream colour. However, for this room we went for a charcoal grey to match the curtains and compliment the overall scheme. We’re very happy indeed with the results. The view from the bed is much improved now – and we get a glimpse of a passing fox or the occasional deer nibbling at the vegetation opposite. Bliss!

So, that’s the room re-decoration completed in the main. We have the option of picking up interesting objects and nature finds as we come across them. It can just evolve subtly over time. We hope you like the results so far!

Our custom-made roller blind from Contrado

We’ve recently undertaken a programme of home improvements here at H is for Home. These range from quite major jobs like re-pointing gable-end walls and chimney repairs – to smaller scale tasks such as redecoration and general sprucing up of neglected corners.

One room that needed some attention was our downstairs loo. The window area in particular was very tired – a bit grubby if we’re being honest!

The old blind was dull and way past its best – and the sill had been stained by plant pot bases over the years. We discovered the lovely folk at Contrado on Instagram and they asked us if we wanted to try out one of their roller blinds. Perfect timing!

London-based Contrado offer a service whereby you can customise & personalise all manner of homewares, fabrics, gifts and clothing.

Customisable is a very apt word indeed. We measured the window and recess so the blind fitted perfectly. We chose which side we wanted the chain on, the material the chain was made of… even the pattern (and size of the pattern) printed on the fabric. We looked online and found a copyright-free design that we liked and Photoshopped it to get the exact colours we wanted. The blind was delivered swiftly and exactly as we specified. It’s very well made and the materials used are excellent quality. The large stylised flowers are reminiscent of Marimekko fabric designs we like. There are lots of house plants in our downstairs loo – and the window also looks out onto the garden – so the pattern picks up on all this natural vegetation. We went for a grey & orange colourway on a slightly off-white background. The room has an exposed stone wall with grey tones – also silvery chrome fittings and galvanised metal containers. There were already quite a few orange decorative touches in the room such as the vintage film poster and plant pots. The blind really helps pull it all together.

Installing it was a straightforward 20-minute job. As we were changing the blinds we took the opportunity to touch up all the paintwork. We’re very happy with the results. It’s been a really good return on half a day’s work. It’s overall much brighter and fresher – and the blind really lifts our spirits when we enter the room!

H is for Home Harbinger

Category: around the house