40 Things People Do That Are Probably Damaging Their Homes

Whether you rent or own, you’re probably damaging your home without even realizing it. But don’t worry, you’re not alone — most of us are making the very same mistakes! How would you know you shouldn’t keep towels in the bathroom, or how some flushable wipes were bad for your toilet? With that in mind, here are the top 40 offenders to be on the lookout for.

1. Filtering fires

Many household appliances have filters you should change regularly to avoid potential disaster. Some of them — such as your dishwater filter or the water and air filters in your refrigerator — will make your life easier. Others can save it. For example, if lint builds up in your dryer, it can cause fires.

2. Unsafe sneakers

It doesn’t matter how clean you think your shoes are, they still collect all kinds of dirt and germs invisible to the human eye. A study from the University of Arizona proved that even new footwear gathered 400,000 different bacteria over a two-week period, and E-Coli was among them. The welcome mat doesn’t apply to diseases, so leave your sneakers at the door.

3. Closing doors

Here’s one for a household with kids or angry teenagers! Slamming doors over and over can knock the jamb out of position and cause gaps in your door. This lets in drafts and causes moisture to build up, not only increasing heating bills, but also — perhaps even worse — causing black mold. Then you’ll be in a jamb.

4. Hardwood humidity

Use as many cleaning solutions as you like, but if there’s one thing that can keep your hardwood floors nice, it’s temperature. Empire Today’s executive vice president and flooring expert Paul Carter told Best Life in 2020, “If humidity hits above 55 percent, you might be opening up a chance for moisture to seep into the wood.” Time to invest in a dehumidifier.