Holistic Home & Winterizing

Updated: Nov 25, 2019

I am not a home building contractor, but having lived in various types of homes (old house rentals, apartments, small Amish cabin, and a yurt) I've learned what making a home healthy and efficient can do. Living in Northern Maine adds some complexity to the seasonal care of our homes. Winters are so rough on things, from homes to vehicles to our budget! Below are a few friendly tips on how you can make your environment not only efficient but healthy as well!

Winter To-Dos:

Have your furnace and chimney cleaned annually.
If you have a wood fireplace or wood stove, have that inspected and cleaned.
Consider reversing your ceiling fan. This will create an updraft forcing warmer air down into the room, providing some energy savings.
Invest in indoor plants that purify the air such as: Cala Lilies, Barberton Daisy, English Ivy, Snake Plant, Chrysanthemum, Aloe Vera, Broad Lady Palm, Red-edged Dracaena or Dragon Tree.
Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Use a diffuser daily with pure essential oils to enhance air quality ( like Purify by Rocky Mountain Oils & doTerra's Breathe Blend- See below).
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher. I came home one winter night to find my little cabin home on fire. Thank God I had a fire extinguisher!
Insulate pipes that are susceptible to freezing (heat tape is helpful) and drain the pipes that lead to any outside faucets.
Make sure everyone in your family knows where to shut off the water supply.
Never set your heat lower than 55 degrees or you risk frozen pipes.
If you plan to be away, have someone check your house daily to make sure that your heating source is still working.
For those lovely snow days where some of us may be able to stay in and 'nest', cook, & clean, try using natural cleaning supplies, from companies such as Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, and Better Life.
Natural Cleaning Products: