Tips For A Dry, Warm, Pollution-free  Home

Many houses are damp and cold, leading to more colds and flu and aggravating asthma. Here’s how your home can be healthier by being dry, warm and pollution-free – and you can save money and energy.


Dry – keep moisture out


  • Put lids on pots when cooking
  • Dry clothes outside
  • Vent your clothes dryer to the outside
  • Air your house on fine days
  • Use extractor fans or open windows in the kitchen and bathroom to remove moisture
  • Remove mould using very diluted household bleach
  • Check for water leaks from guttering, plumbing etc, and have them repaired
  • Ensure that there is adequate drainage around your house
  • Black plastic on the ground under the house will keep it drier and easier to heat
  • An in-roof ventilation system will reduce condensation
  • Consider double glazing if you are building or replacing windows


Warm – keep heat in


  • Have well-fitting curtains and pull them at night to keep heat in
  • Use draught stops under doors and draught proofing strips around windows and doors
  • Use a healthy form of heating such as a flued gas heather, heat pump, pellet or wood burner
  • Insulate your ceiling and under the floor to keep heat in and heating costs down **

*Unflued gas heaters release moisture and harmful gases into
the home

**40% of heat can be lost through an uninsulated ceiling and
10% through the floor


Pollution-free – keep air clean


  • Stop smoking or smoke only outside
  • Let your family and friends know that your home is smokefree
  • Use an electric or flued gas heater rather than unflued gas heaters
  • Air your house on fine days
  • Limit the use of strong-smelling cleaners, air fresheners and flysprays
  • Keep dust to a minimum – dust with a damp cloth and vacuum regularly (use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA*** filter) to reduce house dust mites(a common asthma allergy trigger)
  • Consider hard floors and rugs, ideally with underfloor insulation, instead of fitted carpets

*** HEPA = high energy particulate air

© Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand (Inc.) 2005 Photocopy permission granted