We spend an astonishing 90 per cent of our lives indoors. And whether you live in an old house or a brand new condo, they’re filled with unseen pathogens, chemicals, stale air and other dangers. We talked to Canada’s leading experts—scientists, academics and wellness gurus— to find out what you can do to make your home safer for you and your family. Here are practical and easy changes to make in each room of your home, from the safest materials for new furniture to how to air out your bedsheets, to a simple trick to avoid exposure to the bacteria lurking in your shower head.
YOUR BEDROOM
Make sure the room where you rest your head isn’t shortening your lifespan.
INVEST IN A DECENT MATTRESS
Assuming you’re sleeping the recommended hours per night (that’s seven to nine for adults), you’re spending one-third of your life in your bedroom. And insufficient sleep—either short duration or poor quality—is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, injuries, depression, irritability and reduced well-being.
BE MITE SMART
Let the sheets and duvet air out for an hour before you make the bed to help control moisture-loving mites. To really sock it to them, wash all of your bedding once a week in hot water, and vacuum your mattress.
BUILD UP HUMIDITY
In such a high-usage area of your home, the air quality matters—a combination of humidifiers, fans and fresh air will keep your bedroom at an ideal 45 per cent humidity for a good night of shut-eye.
DON’T LET IT GET TOO WET
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Reader's Digest Canada.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Reader's Digest Canada.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Don't Come To My Meeting
As CEO, I've created an unusual meeting policy at my company. It helps build a culture of respect, agency - and substantial productivity, too.
What's Your Ghost Job?
It's one of your five jobs. And if you want to find meaning at work, you must identify all of them.
When Life Is Preparation
Vanesa Ellis was no expert on mosquitoes or lawn care. But as it turns out, something else made her the perfect fit for two home-care franchise brands.
Serving the Underserved
When Dennis Johnson opened a Pizza Ranch in Minnesota, he hoped to serve the nearby Native American communities in more ways than one.
green goddess
Legendary supermodel Amber Valletta turns to designer Ross Cassidy to help craft a truly sustainable new home in LA
CITY OF TOMORROW
As Copenhagen builds on its sustainable success, architect Dan Stubbergaard is championing innovative public spaces and neighborhoods for generations to come
CALI HIGH
Architect Cayley Lambur transforms an iconic Big Sur property into a multigenerational haven that nurtures work and life
HOW ONE MOM & POP SHOP EXPANDED 2,700 TIMES
Jersey Mike's famously began as a single shop owned by a teenager. Now it's everywhere. How exactly does that happen?
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS
No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.
NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM
The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors
WRANGLING THE MANY-HEADED MONSTER
For mom-and-pop business owners, just as inflation calms in one area of operations, it rears its head somewhere else. The best way to stay on top of it, experts say, is to stay flexible.
ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS
For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.
YOU'LL ONLY FIND THIS HERE
When a local, independent business becomes known for something special - a product or service, or even just a unique vibe customers love knowing they're getting a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Here, seven mom-and-pops around the country share what helps them stand out.
OPEN STUDIO - Garden Gate
Harrison Green updates a forlorn Brooklyn warehouse as its own pastoral haven
POWER GRID
Two rooms by two rooms, a historic Creole cottage at the heart of New Orleans inspires architect Bryan Young and longtime clients to make bold moves
INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever
HIGH-FLYING BIRDS
Learning from past success and failure in Houston, Mike Elias and his united front office remade the Orioles into winners— and they got there ahead of schedule
'People Don't Buy What They Don't Know'
This snack brand was failing. Then its founder discovered the problem: He wasn't speaking his customers' language.
sleeping beauty
In-demand cook and decorator Isabelle Moltzer helps revive a 16th-century estate that had long belonged to her family and finds a home of her own in the process
Your Small Business Is About to Get Bigger
That's what this issue is all about. Read on!
MAKING PEOPLE COMFORTABLE DOESN'T HAVE TO COST A FORTUNE
Just ask the couple who built a basically unmarked bar that, within three years, has become one of the most beloved mom-and-pop shops in the country.
TRAVELS - Adaptive Reflex
At Brazil's fabled Uxua hotel, a new upcycled villa hints at larger green goals
STORES - Character Study
Chanel's new flagship for fine jewelry and watches pays tribute to its famous founder
Finn Tech
How Paavo Tynell's elegant 1940s pendant lit the way for Scandinavian design overseas
When It's Time to Go All In
Do you have a side hustle? Do you want to make it a full-time hustle, and escape your 9-to-5 job? Blavity founder Morgan DeBaun has some advice: Do it carefully, but steadily.
Jewel Box
Sumptuous textiles, bold patterns, and vintage treasures make designer Madina Visconti di Modrone's historic Milan apartment shine
If at First You Don't Get Clients...
Try, try again? That's the lesson of Facet, an innovative financial planning startup that tried everything to get its first customers.
HOW DAVID BEATS OUT GOLIATH
Can mom-and-pop shops truly compete against big-box behemoths and e-commerce giants? Yes, experts say - but they have to think and act truly local.
CRAFT - Peel and Core
In a powerful feat of artistry, Fernando Laposse explores the harsh underbelly of Mexico's avocado trade
MY FAVORITE CUSTOMER
For small, independent businesses, loyal patrons are benefactors, protectors, muses, and mascots. They make sure the show goes on. Here, three business owners celebrate an irreplaceable member of their community.