“We dream of having a clean house – but who dreams of actually doing the cleaning?” -Marcus Buckingham

If you chuckled when you read this quote, it is probably because it rang true for you. Everyone wants a clean home, but doing the housework is not a whole lot of fun. But did you know that a clean home can help keep you healthy? It can.

When you clean your home, you may be doing more than picking up some stray items and tidying your place. You may actually be doing something that benefits your health. 

• A Clean Home Can Reduce Your Stress: There are lots of things that can add stress to your life. Your job can add stress. A lack of money can add stress. Your family can cause you stress. And, as crazy as it may seem, your home can cause you stress. Studies have shown that living in a home that contains clutter may lead to stress and fatigue. This is because you are constantly surrounded by work that needs to be done. Spending a few minutes tidying your surroundings each day can reduce your feelings of stress.
• A Clean Home Can Reduce Symptoms of Allergies and Asthma: This one is no surprise for those of you who suffer from allergies and asthma. If you have carpets, bedding, or other surfaces that are not cleaned regularly, you may find that your allergies and asthma may worsen. This is because these areas may contain dust mites, pollen, pet dander, or mold and mildew, which can exacerbate your symptoms. 
• A Clean Home Can Improve Safety: When it comes to safety in your home, falls and fires are two of the leading causes of injury or even death. If your home is cluttered, the floors are dirty, or you have exits blocked with objects, you are increasing your chance of slipping, falling or being unable to exit your home in the case of an emergency. 
• A Clean Home Reduces Germs and Bacteria: If you’ve ever caught a cold or other illness from someone who lives with you, you know how quickly germs and bacteria can spread – even when you are doing a good job of cleaning. Kitchens and bathrooms are prime places for germs and bacteria to live. You definitely want to be sure you are taking care of these places. Make sure you are disinfecting all cracks and crevices and cleaning regularly.
• A Clean Home Keeps Pests Away: One of the absolute worst outcomes to come from an unclean home is to have pests or rodents decide they’d like to live with you. Cockroaches and mice can spread germs and diseases and be difficult to get rid of once they have invaded. Be sure to take your garbage out regularly and put all food away after eating.
• A Clean Home May Improve Your Diet: A study done at Cornell University showed that if you live in a chaotic and cluttered home, you may actually consume more sweets and high-fat foods. By keeping your kitchen organized and clean, you could be helping your waistline.
• A Clean Home May Help You Exercise More: Indiana University did a study that showed that people who live in a clean home seem to exercise more. By keeping your home clean you may be helping yourself to hit the gym or go for a run. 

There may be something to the saying, “A clean home is a happy home,” – at least when it comes to your health. And, when you spend a few minutes each day keeping your home tidy, it may not be such a daunting task after all.