Nearly 7 in 10 Americans Are Making Homes Healthier as a Result of COVID-19
Cleaning, changing air filters, adding plants and using eco-friendly paint are among proactive actions setting the stage for significant changes in home decor, according to a new ECOS Paints/Harris Poll Survey
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (June 2, 2020) -- More than two-thirds of Americans (69 percent) say they have taken or plan to take action to make their home environment healthier as a result of COVID-19 according to a survey among over 2,000 US adults. The survey was conducted online this month by The Harris Poll on behalf of ECOS Paints, a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly VOC-free paints, stains and varnishes. Adults ages 18-44 are more likely than their older counterparts to say they have taken or plan to take action to make their home environment healthier (78 percent vs. 62 percent ages 45+). Adults with children under 18 years of age living in the home are more likely to actively take or plan to take steps to make their homes healthier, with 77 percent saying they are taking/plan to take action in comparison to 65 percent of adults without children at home.
Increasing the frequency of household cleaning is the most popular action with close to half (45%) of Americans saying they have done this or will do it in the future. Additionally, more than 2 in 5 Americans (43%) plan to or did one or more of the following: use eco-friendly paint, change air filters, add air purifiers, and/or add more plants to their home in order to make their home environment healthier as a result of COVID-19. Other actions Americans have taken/plan to take to improve the health of their home environment include replacing household products with natural/chemical-free versions (17%), stopping the use of cleaners with harsh chemicals (12%), getting a humidifier (10%), and having the home professionally deep-cleaned (9%).
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce the risk of indoor health concerns. For example, a variety of chemicals (VOCs) found in paints and varnishes may have short- and long-term adverse health effects as they can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.
“Having been in the home décor category for over 30 years, we believe this change in consumer behavior will significantly alter the industry,” said Julian Crawford, CEO, ECOS Paints. “Paint definitely impacts indoor air quality. ECOS Paints were originally created decades ago as a solution for individuals with chemical sensitivities, including children and babies who cannot tolerate strong odors and harsh chemicals. Today ECOS has become a favorite among a broader market of consumers who care about creating healthier, wellness-focused living environments in their homes.”
“We expect to see consumers thinking long and hard about the products they bring into their homes which have become their sanctuary, their schools, and, in some cases, the venue for their next staycation. They will be paying much closer attention to labels, product contents and product origins. This is a brand new environment.”
ECOS Paints is committed to creating healthier living environments for homes, commercial spaces and historical destinations, while being transparent about its ingredients. ECOS Paints has a wide range of options including a Lullaby collection for nurseries, pet paints, and air purifying paints that filter out contaminants.
Survey Method
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of ECOS Paints from May 5-7, 2020 among 2,051 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact ECOS Paints.