Indoor air quality at home is something we don’t often think about. It’s one of those things that doesn’t cross your mind until suddenly you’re coughing your lungs out or notice that it’s harder to breathe. This is why it is better to proactively improve your indoor air quality and nip any problems at the bud before they turn into major issues. Not only does this help to prevent health risks, but can also save your wallet from a hefty expense down the line.
Improving Indoor Air Quality At Home
In this article, we highlight a few ways that you can improve poor indoor air quality.
Hygiene
The first step to keeping high levels of air quality is to keep your entire house clean. This may be easier said than done. However, it’s essential that we train ourselves to maintain cleanliness in our homes to prevent indoor air pollutants. Keeping your indoor environments clean, will reduce the number of air contaminants. in turn, this will keep air quality at acceptable levels. You’ll also reduce the possibility of mold developing within your house which is always a plus for air quality.
Vacuuming
It might seem counterintuitive that something you do on the floor would have an effect on the air around you. However, vacuuming your carpets and rugs one to two times per week can make a big difference in indoor air quality (IAQ). When vacuuming, be sure to use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter built-in. Furthermore, using hard surface flooring rather than carpet also decreases the volume of allergens that are present within your home.
Bedding and Curtains
In addition to carpet, pay attention to your curtains and bedding. Both of these items are known to be allergen hotspots. This is especially true for households that include one or more pets. Scientists recommend that you wash curtains and bedding at a temperature of 130° Fahrenheit or greater. You can also use allergy-proof covers on your pillows and mattresses to further cut down on allergen risks.
House Plants
While it may look nice to having many varieties of plants in your home, sometimes setting the mood isn’t worth it. This is especially true when your indoor air quality is compromised. Moving your plants to the garden or even the window sill can make a big difference in air quality. Many families keep large plants in their living rooms and never realize that the very thing making their home look stylish is also the cause of the poor air quality.
Some might argue that plants are a great source of oxygen in the home. This is true, however, that doesn’t change the fact that they can be potent allergens for a large percentage of the human population. Keep organic plants outside and use fake decorative ones within your living space instead.
Additional Resource: House Plants Don’t Really Clean Indoor Air
Air Purifiers
Many people think air purifiers are a waste of money. However, air purifiers are a worthwhile investment if you want to boost your indoor air quality long term. This is especially true if there are allergen-causing entities in the house that you can’t get rid of. Whether the allergen-causing entity is a treasured plant or a family dog, those who are allergic can find relief by getting an air purifier for their home. The money you pay for an air purifier will be justified when you’re able to breathe easily while still petting your canine companion.
Open Up
Finally, one of the best ways to improve indoor air quality is to utilize superior outdoor air quality. Outside air tends to be cleaner since it has more exposure to oxygen-producing plants as well as sunlight. Opening up your windows and doors will allow the air inside your house to circulate rather than remain stagnant for long periods of time. This alone may be enough to resolve many air quality issues. You’d be surprised how far a few open windows go in improving indoor air quality.
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