With air pollution getting worse each year, the need to improve your home’s air quality has never been greater. But how do you even go about it? And how much can you realistically expect from your efforts? Luckily, with the following advice, you’ll be well on your way to improving your home’s air quality and breathing easier in no time!
The Importance of Good Air Quality
Air quality has a direct effect on our bodies and minds. Most of us spend 8+ hours every day in our homes, so it’s important that we take measures to ensure we’re breathing clean air. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, poor air quality and exposure to air pollutants can cause "irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue"* in the short term. Poor air quality can also worsen asthma for those who suffer from it. In the long term, polluted air quality in the home can cause "respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer"* which can even be fatal. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3s8O9Ee.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants
There are many sources of indoor air pollutants, including household chemicals and products, tobacco smoke, and radon. If you have allergies or other respiratory issues, there are additional concerns about mold and dust mites.
In order to control these pollutants, you need a plan for controlling each one in your home. Proper ventilation is crucial when you want to keep outdoor pollutants out while still allowing fresh air into your home. Improving how well you ventilate will also help reduce moisture levels inside your home; keeping moisture low will help prevent mold growth that can exacerbate allergies and asthma.
Use a HEPA Air Filter
If you’re interested in improving your home’s air quality, it’s a good idea to install a HEPA air filter. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air, and these filters are designed to get rid of dirt and dust that may be in your home. According to the EPA, HEPA air filters "can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm)"**, making it the most effective air filter you can use to improve your home's air quality. For more information, visit the EPA’s site: https://bit.ly/3JQHKUd.
Keep the Home Smoke-Free
Smoking in your home can make you and your family vulnerable to a host of respiratory illnesses. If you’re serious about improving your home’s air quality, it might be time to consider kicking your smoking habit once and for all. And if you have young children, quitting smoking may be an even more important goal. In fact, studies show that smoke in a house containing children can increase their risk of developing allergies or asthma by as much as 35 percent!
Invest in Plants
Besides being a source of beauty, home plants can also improve air quality in your home. According to Eco Watch's article, '20 Best Air-Purifying Plants' (https://bit.ly/3scNWA0), there are many houseplants available at your local nursery or store that can improve your home's air quality.
Here are the top five plants on Eco Watch's list for improving air quality:
- Peace Lily
- Snake Plant
- Golden Pothos
- Bamboo Palm
- Scarlet Star Bromeliad
Eliminate Chemical Cleaning Supplies & Air Fresheners
The chemicals in commercial cleaners can be detrimental to your health, especially if you are using harsh chemical cleaners in poorly ventilated areas.
Instead, try natural DIY cleaning products with supplies you can find in a grocery store when possible. Popular natural cleaning ingredients include white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, borax, lemon juice, tea tree oil, and other essential oils. Natural cleaning products are not only good for your home’s air quality but are also free of harsh chemicals that can harm your health.
For detailed recipes for DIY cleaning products, the site Madeleine Olivia's blog is a great resource to get you started: https://bit.ly/3h94LFq
Instead of strong chemical-based air fresheners, you can use essential oils in a diffuser or vaporizer. Their pleasant fragrance will help keep your home smelling fresh without exposing you and your family to harmful chemicals.
Control Moisture
Excess moisture is a leading cause of poor indoor air quality. To lower humidity levels and improve your home’s air quality, invest in a dehumidifier. This tool can remove up to 48 pints of water from your home per day. On the other hand, the air in your home may be excessively dry. In this case, you can invest in a humidifier to put moisture back into the air.
Before installing either of these devices, run an inexpensive hygrometer test on your home to see if there are problems with high or low humidity levels. (A hygrometer typically costs $15-$50.) After you have remedied any issues related to excess or low moisture, these tools will help keep conditions optimal for living and breathing. And that means better home air quality!
Keep Your Home Clean
Air quality can improve if you keep your home and its contents clean. Keeping your floors, walls, furniture, appliances and everything else that’s in your home spotless will not only help improve air quality but also lower your risk of developing allergies and infections. Regular cleaning is one of the easiest things you can do for yourself, as well as for everyone who lives in or visits your home. Not only does it improve air quality but it also makes a big difference to how you feel on a daily basis.
Call Plan: B Cleaning today to set up a cleaning service and improve your home's air quality with a clean space at (317) 572-8515, or visit www.planbcleaning.com. Plan: B Cleaning serves the Fishers, Indiana area, including Hamilton County, Geist, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, and Fortville.
