How To Improve Air Quality At Home
Do you feel more congested or short of breath while at home? You may be surprised to learn that indoor air quality can greatly impact overall health, particularly for those with allergies or asthma.
Poor air circulation throughout the home can result in dander, dust particles, and other allergens becoming trapped indoors and buildup over time.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to improve the air quality of your home and breathe easier! In this blog post, we uncover some advice from experts on how to get started improving indoor air quality today.
Identify the sources of indoor air pollution in your home
The first step to improving air quality at home is identifying the sources of indoor air pollution. Common sources include household cleaning products, paints, solvents, aerosols, and other chemical fumes. In addition, tobacco smoke, air ducts, pollen, and mold spores can also lead to poor indoor air quality.
Install an air purifier to improve air quality further
Air purifiers are designed to help filter out airborne contaminants like dust, pollen, smoke, and pet dander. They typically come in various sizes and can be installed in multiple rooms throughout the home. Air purifiers can often reduce odors from cooking and smoking and capture mold spores that may cause allergies and other respiratory issues.
By installing air purifiers, you can reduce airborne contaminants and improve the overall air quality in your home. Make sure to keep up with maintenance on your air purifier and regularly change filters when needed. This will help ensure that it continues to work efficiently and keep your home’s air clean.
Open windows and use fans to help circulate air
Opening windows and using fans are other great ways to help improve the air quality at home. Windows provide a source of fresh outdoor air, which can help reduce indoor pollutants. Fans also help circulation by pushing out stale air while simultaneously providing a continuous flow of fresh air.
Additionally, fans can move air around in the same room. This can help with air quality, reducing stagnant air and preventing airborne contaminants from settling in one area of the home.
Invest in natural cleaning products and plant
Finally, investing in natural cleaning products and plants is another great way to improve your home’s air quality. Natural cleaners and detergents, such as those made with vinegar and baking soda, help reduce the presence of harsh chemicals that can contribute to allergies and respiratory issues.
Similarly, plants are known for their air purifying abilities, which help to filter out airborne toxins naturally. By investing in natural cleaning products and adding indoor plants to your home, you will be able to reduce the presence of indoor pollutants and improve the overall air quality.
Use electric or gas heating indoor air quality
Relying on electric or gas heating to keep your home comfortable can contribute to poor indoor air quality. How you use these sources of energy can make a difference.
Make sure to change the filter if you have an HVAC system regularly, and be aware of any drafts coming from windows and doors that could affect your home’s temperature. Consider using fans, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers to help regulate the air’s moisture.
Use solid or liquid cleaning products
When cleaning your home, avoid aerosol cleaners and use solid or liquid cleaning products instead. Aerosols put small particles of chemicals into the air, which can contribute to poor indoor air quality.
Solid or liquid products don’t release particle pollutants into the air and can help to improve it. Additionally, use natural ingredients whenever possible. Natural ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon are all effective cleaning products that will help to purify the air.
Keep your home warm
A warm home can help improve air quality in several ways. The heat will reduce mold growth, which releases spores into the air, reducing air quality. You can keep your home warm by setting the thermostat at a comfortable temperature and sealing any drafts.
Make sure to regularly check for leaks in your windows and doors to keep the air inside warm. If your home is particularly cold, you can use an air purifier to keep the air warm and clean.
Vacuum and dust regularly to keep surfaces clean
Regular vacuuming and dusting can help remove particles of dirt, pet hair, and other air pollutants from your home. Vacuum carpets, curtains, and upholstery regularly to reduce dust levels in your home.
It would help if you also used a damp cloth or mop to clean hard floors whenever necessary. The more often you dust and vacuum, the better the air quality will be in your home. If you have pets, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to reduce the spread of pet dander and other allergens.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or aerosols inside the home
Harsh chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products and aerosols, can create air pollution indoors. They contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linked to health problems like respiratory issues and headaches.
To reduce indoor pollutants caused by these products, opt for natural cleaning solutions or green-certified cleaning products whenever possible. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a list of cleaning product ratings that can help you choose the best option. When using any cleaning product, open the windows and use fans to help circulate fresh air throughout the home.
Fix any leaks or water damage
Leaks or water damage can create a damp environment, which not only produces poor air quality but is also a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Make sure to repair any leaks or water damage as soon as possible to keep your home’s air quality healthy.
The best way to do this is to use a dehumidifier and fans to help dry out the area. If the damage is extensive, you may need to contact a professional for help.
Keep your home smoke-free
Smoking is one of the biggest causes of outdoor air pollution or indoors. Not only can it be dangerous to your health, but secondhand smoke can linger in the air for hours afterward. To improve the air quality in your home, create a strict no-smoking policy indoors and near open windows and doors.
If you or any family smoke, consider investing in an air purifier to help clear out some air pollutants. When possible, smoke outside or in a separate area away from the rest of your home.
Reduce dampness
One of the most important steps to improve air quality at home is to reduce dampness. Dampness in your home can cause mold and mildew, harming outdoor air quality.
To reduce dampness at home, keep your windows open for at least an hour every day to allow fresh air into the house, and use a dehumidifier if needed. Additionally, make sure to repair any water damage as soon as it occurs and ensure that bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas are well-ventilated.
FAQs
How can I improve the air quality in my home?
There are several ways that homeowners can improve the air quality in their homes, such as ensuring adequate ventilation, keeping the house clean, using air filters and cleaners, and limiting the use of chemical-based cleaning products. Additionally, regular maintenance and repair of heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems can help improve the air quality at home.
How can I reduce the impact of dust mites on air quality?
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that thrive in warm, humid environments and feed off skin cells and other organic matter. To reduce their impact on air quality, it is important to keep your home air cleaner and vacuum regularly, encase mattresses and pillows in special covers designed to prevent dust mite allergens from entering the air, and limit the use of humidifiers.
How can I reduce pet dander in my home?
Pet dander can be a major source of indoor air pollutants, so proper pet care and grooming are essential to reduce the amount of dander released into the air. Regularly cleaning hard surfaces, often vacuuming, cleaning carpets & rugs, bathing pets regularly, and using special air filters designed to trap pet dander are all ways to reduce the amount of pet dander in your home.
Is it possible to improve air quality without using chemicals?
Yes, improving air quality in your home is possible without using chemical-based products. Regular cleaning and dusting using natural or non-toxic solutions can help reduce pollutants and allergens in the air. Additionally, investing in an air purifier can help remove airborne particles and improve air quality.
Conclusion
I hope this article has given you some insight into improving air quality at home. While there may be no exact science to improve indoor air quality, implementing the tips above should help you see a difference in the quality of your home’s air. From controlling humidity levels and avoiding VOCs to cleaning regularly and properly ventilating, you can take many simple steps to improve your home’s air quality. Taking the time to make these changes should ensure that your family and loved ones get to breathe cleaner and healthier air.
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