The coughing, sneezing, and runny nose you’ve been experiencing could be seasonal allergies, but then again, it could something else… something in the very place you call home.

You may find it hard to believe but your home can make you sick. Medical experts warn that poor indoor quality in your home plays a large role in symptoms you attribute to other causes like allergies or a cold, when the reality is that your home environment is making you sick!

You may indeed have the four must-have items in your home for hygiene like disinfecting sprays, vacuum cleaners, handwash, and cleaning supplies but even with those items, depending on what you have, they can also contribute to poor air quality in your home.

This build-up of poor indoor air quality is one of the main culprits of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), according to healthline.com. And the symptoms range from itchy, watery eyes to throat irritation and difficulty breathing. If you already have allergy issues and experience these symptoms on occasion, you may notice a severity or increase in frequency in your symptoms.

It’s not always easy to tell when it’s allergies and when it’s actually something going on in your home that you need to get checked out, but there are things you may have in your home that could be unknowingly harming your health.

Take a look at ways your home could be making you sick and the solutions to eradicate the problem.

Ways Your Home Could Be Making You Sick and the Effective Solutions

Clutter

You may not realize just how much “stuff” you collect over the years but this “stuff” is a major contributor to feelings of anxiety, stress, and feeling overwhelmed. Things like leaving mail piled on the kitchen table, toys scattered around the house, and clothes being everywhere except in the dirty clothes basket can make your home feel closed in and subconsciously make it hard to breathe for some.

The simple yet effective solution to clutter is to put things back where they belong after using them and getting rid of things you no longer need or use. It’s going to require effort on your behalf but it’s not a difficult task to do. When you come home, hang your jacket up and put your shoes in the closet. Donate clothes and old furniture to your local Salvation Army and Goodwill. This way, you’re cleaning out your house and doing good for your community as well.

Heating and Cooling Systems

The air flowing through your home plays a huge role in poor indoor air quality. When you fail to properly change your air filters, every time you turn on the heat or air, it’s just cycling allergens and toxins back into the air you breathe. Consider changing your air filters every 60 to 90 days to have better indoor air quality.

Also, your heating and cooling systems play a role in your mental health as well. Aside from your rent or mortgage payments, your electric bill is the next most expensive bill for lots of people, and the more your system is run, the more stressed people get… But do you know why your electric bill is so high every time you run your heating and cooling systems? It’s because your home is powered by fossil fuels.

By changing your electricity to a renewable resource like the sun, you won’t have the stress of a high electric bill because your electricity is generated by the sun’s energy. By making the switch, you can alleviate your stress and lower energy bills with Choose Solar.

Water Spots on the Ceilings and Wall

Water spots on the ceiling and wall should first let you know that there’s a leak somewhere in your home that doesn’t need to be ignored. But when you do see water spots in your home, it’s a sign that mold and respiratory issues are soon to come. You’ll need to contact a plumber first to find the source of the leak and fix it, and then potentially a mold specialist to remove any spores before they spread and make you sick.