What do your windows have in common with your vitamin D levels? Plenty, actually, especially if you live in the north! Dirty windows can block the sun’s rays just as an overbearing pair of sunglasses can darken your view of life in the winter months, while sunny windows can make you feel like you’re sitting out on the beach without all of the sand and salt water. As you think about setting up your winter home maintenance schedule, don’t forget to add window cleaning to the top of your list; it will help with your levels of vitamin D in winter and improve your light quality inside and out!
The Importance of Vitamin D
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report showing that Vitamin D deficiency is reaching epidemic levels. With more than 40% of American adults being deficient, it’s important we know how to get our daily dose of vitamin D. It turns out, most people can get all they need by spending some time outside each day.
Why You Need it in the Winter
It is essential that you get the daily recommended dose of vitamin D, especially in the winter. Vitamin D helps strengthen your immune system and boosts your mood. Dirty windows can give you a dose of vitamin D without exposing you to light and cold. The sun’s UV rays bounce off dirty windows, adding light to dark rooms, brightening up your home, and boosting your mood. Plus, window cleaning will reduce bacteria that can make you sick or irritate allergies.
How to Get it From Your Windows
Windows are the most important part of your home when it comes to getting vitamin D during the winter. A recent study found that people who spend more than three hours a day inside experience seasonal affective disorder, which is caused by a lack of natural light. One way to get around this is by washing your windows!
Tips for Keeping Your Windows Clean
- Keep Current on Your Cleaning: Wipe them down with a wet cloth at least once per week.
- Open your curtains when the sun is out, and close them when it sets.
- Clean your window screens at least once a month with water and vinegar or bleach (depending on the type of screen).
- Hire a professional window cleaner to come every three months if you cannot do it yourself. Once they have cleaned your windows, don’t wait until next year before doing so again!