Excessive cleaning bad for family health, especially children?
However, health professionals caution against completely abandoning cleaning routines
Health experts are warning that excessive cleaning and long hours spent on household chores like laundry may not always be beneficial for family health, particularly for children.
While hygiene is important, some exposure to everyday microbes can actually support the immune system and protect against illnesses.
According to a report in The Washington Post, regular exposure to a variety of microbes — within safe limits — can help strengthen immunity, making the body more resilient to common respiratory illnesses such as colds, the flu, and bronchitis. It may also reduce the risk of autoimmune conditions like asthma, hay fever, eczema, and multiple sclerosis.
The key, experts say, lies in finding a healthy balance between cleanliness and microbial diversity. This doesn’t mean living in dirt, but rather allowing for some exposure to natural elements that carry beneficial microbes. Over-sanitizing environments, particularly for children, may weaken their long-term immune defenses.
Recommendations to increase microbial diversity at home include adding houseplants, which not only enhance the space aesthetically but also introduce beneficial microorganisms into the indoor environment. Opening windows regularly, especially in areas with good air quality and surrounding greenery, can also help bring in microbes that boost health.
Research published on The Conversation by scholars Samuel White and Philip Wilson highlights that even the materials and design of buildings can influence indoor microbiomes. They suggest using natural building materials like wood, installing ventilation systems that promote biodiversity, and even incorporating “living walls” with plants and microbes as ways to support a healthy indoor ecosystem.
Ultimately, health professionals caution against completely abandoning cleaning routines. However, skipping an occasional deep clean may not be harmful—and in fact, a little dust might just be good for your family’s immunity, especially when combined with thoughtful home design and natural exposure.
