When the scorching summer days come to an end, it’s easy to stow away your trusty fan until next year. But did you know that your fan can be a versatile tool that serves more than just cooling purposes? Here are 6 ways to make the most of your fan during the off-season, ensuring it remains a valuable addition to your home year-round.

1. Distribute warm air
While you might associate fans with keeping cool, they can also help distribute warm air throughout your home during the colder months. Simply place your fan near a heating source, such as a convector or fan heater, and set it to a low speed. This will help ensure that the warmth circulates evenly, preventing any chilly spots in your living space.

2. Improve your ventilation
Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining indoor air quality. Even in the off-season, your fan can help by improving air circulation. Use it to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air by strategically placing it near an open window. This not only keeps the air in your home feeling fresh but also helps remove any lingering odors.

3. Dry damp areas
Fans can be your secret weapon when it comes to drying wet areas in your home. Whether it’s after a rainy day or a steamy shower, position your fan to accelerate the drying process. This helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew and keeps your home feeling comfortable and dry.

4. Aid in cooking
Cooking enthusiasts, take note! A fan can be an excellent addition to your kitchen arsenal. Use it to disperse cooking odors and steam, making your culinary adventures more pleasant. Position the fan near your stovetop or oven to help keep your kitchen odor-free and your cooking environment comfortable.

5. Sleep aid
Beyond its practical uses, a fan can also double as a white noise machine, helping you sleep better year-round. The gentle hum of the fan can drown out background noise and create a soothing environment conducive to a restful night’s sleep. So, don’t pack away your fan just yet – let it lull you into dreamland even when it’s not sweltering outside.

6. Enhance indoor workouts
If you enjoy working out at home, your fan can be an excellent workout companion. Position it strategically in your workout space to provide a refreshing breeze as you exercise. This not only helps keep you cool during intense workouts but also prevents overheating and excessive sweating, making your indoor exercise routines more comfortable and enjoyable. Plus, the gentle airflow can mimic the feeling of an outdoor workout, motivating you to stay active all year long. So, whether you’re doing yoga, cardio, or strength training, let your fan be the secret to staying cool and motivated during your indoor workouts.

By cleaning your humidifier regularly you will prevent limescale build-up in the filter or water reservoir of your humidifier. This will ensure a hygienic output, better performance and a longer life of your product. But when should you clean your humidifier and what is the best way to do it? We explain it to you step by step.

 

Prefer to watch the video? Click here.

Before you begin, make sure your humidifier is turned off and unplugged.
1. Remove and empty the water reservoir;

 

2. Now mix 50% lukewarm water with 50% natural vinegar to descale the water reservoir as well as the inside of your humidifier. Do you have our Tag (2) humidifier? Then use the amounts given below.

• Water tank: 1250 ml lukewarm water, 1250 ml natural vinegar
• Inside: 250 ml lukewarm water, 250 ml natural vinegar

 

Do you have another humidifier? If so, stick to the contents of the water tank and keep in mind the air outlet when descaling the inside - make sure you don't fill above the opening of the air outlet to prevent leaks.

 

3. Allow the mixture to soak in for at least 20 minutes;

4. Pour the mixture from the water tank and inside the product;

5. Rinse both parts well with water;

6. Use a dry cloth to remove remaining dirt and dry your humidifier.

 

Of course, during the big cleaning, cleaning your humidifier filter can't be left behind 😉. But how do you know if it's time to say goodbye to your old filter? You and your humidifier are inseparable (read: you've been using it regularly for the past 3-6 months) or your humidifier is surrounded by a white haze.

Make sure you go through these steps regularly, that way you will enjoy your humidifier and a healthy indoor environment for longer!

After a well-deserved summer break, we have to face the fact that the first day of school is just around the corner. Time to swap your sunny summer thriller at the beach for your laptop in the home office. Are you experiencing the post-holiday blues? Don't worry, with these tips your home office will be at least as pleasant 😉 .

 

1. Get a study buddy

Indoor air quality can have a major impact on our cognitive functions, according to research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. For example, the amount of particulate matter (PM2.5) typically present in our indoor environment can be linked to decreased concentration and productivity. An air purifier with HEPA filter removes these fine dust particles and other sources of pollution from the air and provides clean air in your study or office. So go for a clever study buddy like Bright, which applies its mathematical calculations to your air quality like a real genius. Or Sphere, which thanks to its compact size is the perfect +1 on your desk.

 

Photo: @wendy_studiozinnig

 

2. Keep your cool

Did you know that tropical temperatures have a negative effect on our ability to concentrate? Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health tested the reaction time and memory of students in dorm rooms with and without air conditioning. What did they find? Students who did not have air conditioning not only reacted 13.4 percent slower, but also scored 13.3 percent lower.

With a beautiful Indian summer ahead, the temperature in your home office cannot be left behind ☀️. Therefore, ventilate your home office regularly and, if necessary, call in the help of a whisper-quiet fan to ensure you keep your cool. Bonus: fresh air is full of oxygen and therefore provides a huge concentration boost!

 

3. A bottle full of focus

Are you secretly fretting over that tough presentation? If tension makes it hard for you to focus, atomizing essential oil in the scent of lavender can help improve your ability to concentrate. Lavender is known for its calming effect, which makes you feel less stressed and better able to concentrate. Focus mode on ✅.

 

 

4. Digital stay-at-home nomad

Find a place that suits the activity on your to-do list best. For example, differentiate between the place for standard desk work, phone calls, a good cup of coffee and breaks. This way you move more throughout the day and create a work environment that matches each activity.

The birds are singing, the fields are filled with fresh flowers and we can even enjoy the first rays of sunshine - spring is in full bloom. Could your bedroom use a little freshening up? Time for a breath of fresh air through your bedroom: here's how to get your bedroom spring ready in 4 steps!

 

1. Out with the old

As the saying goes "A tidy home is a tidy mind". Research by The National Sleep Foundation shows that you sleep up to 19 percent (!) better in a tidy room. It's time to rid your bedroom of unnecessary stuff. Tip 💡: Give your stuff a fixed spot. Keeping similar items together and in a place where you use them regularly prevents them from lying around unnecessarily.

Are you a secret hoarder? Ask yourself if you would travel one kilometre for the item in question. Is "no" the answer? Then you can get rid of it with peace of mind 😉 .

 

2. Time for the real deal

Fabric furniture and textiles are like a magnet for (fine) dust, dander and dust mite. In addition to the usual bedding wash, your pillows, mattress and headboard shouldn't be left out during the spring cleaning.

• Give your mattress time to air out. By not making your bed right away, you prevent moisture from nightly perspiration from penetrating further into your mattress. Do you have some extra time? Spread a thick layer of baking soda over the mattress and let it soak in for at least 15 minutes (the longer, the better). The baking soda adheres to the moisture and neutralises any unpleasant odours. Use a hoover to suck up the baking soda after.
• Do you have a fabric bed or boxspring? Don't forget to vacuum your headboard to reduce the risk of allergic reactions from dust or dust mite.

Not a cleaning bee? With the following playlist playing in the background, your bedroom will be neat and tidy in no time.

 

3. Keep it airy

Did you know that on average we spend 32 years of our lives sleeping? 😯 The more important it is to pay attention to air quality in our bedroom. Therefore, ventilate your bedroom daily to get rid of polluted air and let enough fresh air into the room. In addition, a air purifier with HEPA filter can help filter (fine) dust, pollen and other polluting particles from the air - so you can sleep like a rose.

 

4. The finishing touches

An essential oil with the scent of lavender not only brings the floral fragrance of spring into your home, but also creates an oasis of calm in the bedroom. This nap in a bottle has a calming effect and promotes sleep.

Happy cleaning!

 

Do you suffer from sleepless nights or do you regularly get out of bed on the wrong foot? Chances are your sleeping environment is not optimal. On the occasion of World Sleep Day, we share 3 tips for sleeping better with you - so you can be by your bedside bright and early tomorrow morning.

 

 

1. Keep your cool

We probably do not need to tell you that tossing and turning in a bedroom that is too hot doesn't help you sleep, but what is considered the perfect bedroom temperature? According to experts, you sleep best at a temperature of +/- 18°C. That's because our body temperature drops when we are sleepy - if your bedroom is too warm, it can interfere with your body's natural dip. So turn off the bedroom heating, open your window or create a pleasant breeze yourself with the help of a whisper-quiet fan.

 

2. Sssh... 🤫

We all hate it when our beloved sleep is interrupted, but did you know that even the sounds that don't wake us up have a negative effect on our sleep? Even when we are asleep, our brain continues to register and process environmental sounds - so our body can't fully recharge when there is lots of noise. Therefore, a quiet sleeping environment is not only desirable for the light sleepers among us. So say goodbye to all of the unnecessary noises in your bedroom: television, smartphone, snoring partner...

 

 

3. Give the sleep hormone a helping hand

Light and our biological clock go hand in hand. During the day, it gives us an energy boost, and in the evening, it is dusk that gives the starting signal for the sleep hormone melatonin. If it is still too bright in the evening, our melatonin production is disrupted. Therefore, limit your screen time before bed, make sure your windows are blacked out and avoid (night) lights.

Not a morning person? This tip works both ways, so don't forget to open your curtains in the morning or take a morning walk to start the day off fresh.

 

Sleep well!

 

Imagine being able to save energy without compromising on comfort. In the spirit of Warm Sweater Day 2022 - the biggest climate campaign in the Netherlands - we share 3 tips with you that will make your energy bill plummet. Good for the environment and your wallet.

 

1. Maintain humidity

Does your house feel chilly, even though the radiator is set no lower than usual? Then the humidity in your home may be low.

How this works: in order to keep your body temperature at 37 degrees, your body continuously gives off the heat it produces. If the air contains a lot of moisture, your body heat evaporates less quickly. But if the air inside is dry (as it is in cold winter months), your body will lose its heat faster - resulting in a lower sensible temperature.

Example: An absolute temperature of 19°C at a humidity of 10-20% feels like only 17°C, while at a humidity of 60% it feels like 19°C.

By increasing the humidity in your home, you can turn down the heating on 11 February without hesitation 😉 .

Tips for increasing the humidity at home:

• Leave your shower door or dishwasher open after use to allow the water vapour released to diffuse through the room.
• Skip the dryer and let your laundry dry on a rack - less power consumption and good for the humidity (win-win).
• Choose a humidifier to maintain the perfect humidity level. View humidifiers.

 

 

2. Only heat where and when needed

Although this tip may sound logical, it is by no means self-evident. Are there rooms in the house that you hardly ever use? Then choose to turn off the central heating in these places, to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.

With a smart electric heater, such as Edge, you additionally easily set up schedules that indicate when your room should be heated. Combined with solar panels, this will make not only your own wallet but also the planet happy.

 

3. Consciously go for a degree lower

We understand that you don't want to spend your day chattering away, but did you know that a lower temperature in some rooms is actually beneficial? The ideal temperature for your bedroom, for instance, is between 15°C and 18°C. Because at a lower temperature, your body produces more melatonin - better known as the sleep hormone - so you sleep earlier and deeper. Good reason to snuggle up extra close to your partner tonight!