Indoor air quality is important to your health, but it doesn’t get the attention it deserves most of the time. Many things can affect the air quality in your home, including cleaning products, your appliances, and the materials used in your home. Here are nine things you can do to improve the air quality in your home:
Clean Your Air Conditioner’s Drain
Your air conditioner traps all of the humidity from inside your home as it cools your house during those hot summer days, but the excess water has to go somewhere. If you’re not cleaning the drain, the water can pool up and cause mold to grow.
If you have a window air conditioning unit, use a squeegee, sponge or brush to clean dirt and mold. If you have an AC that vents through your wall or ceiling, shut it off and remove the cover to clean away any excess dirt.
Other than cleaning the system, carry out regular maintenance practices and attend to issues as soon as you notice them. AC problems include uneven cooling, blocked air filters, leaks and inefficient airflow. These problems can interfere with indoor air quality. A home comfort specialist such as Dr. Watts can inspect your AC to ensure it’s running efficiently and recommend preventative measures.
Clean Your Dryer’s Lint Trap
Your dryer traps lint while drying clothes, which you should clean out periodically to keep your appliance working properly. If not cleaned, the lint can start to build up and pose a fire hazard. To clean your dryer’s lint trap, remove it after each load of clothes you dry. Use a vacuum cleaner with an extension hose to get into hard-to-reach areas of your dryer, then wipe away any remaining debris with a damp cloth or paper towel.
Clean Your Dishwasher’s Vent
After running your dishwasher, take a look at the vent on the outside of your home. If you see any water backing up inside, pour hot water down the vent until all blockages have cleared out. It could be that food particles or grease are clogging your dishwasher’s vent. The clogs emit a foul stench into your dishwasher and air.
Improve Ventilation
Improving the ventilation around your home to save money on energy costs while also reducing the pollutants’ presence in your home. When cooking, for example, try to use the range hood fan or open windows when possible, to allow fresh air inside. Also make sure each room has proper ventilation.
Keep Your House Clean
While cleaning your home is good for your overall health, it’s also important for the sake of indoor air quality. Focus on specific areas where dust hides to eliminate all pollutants. Keep carpets vacuumed and free from pet hair, dirt and dust. Clean the dust off ceiling fan blades and vents to keep them running smoothly and efficiently. Wash walls and floors as needed to keep all surfaces as dust-free as possible.
Use Non-Toxic Products
If you want to get rid of odors in your home, opt for non-toxic odor eliminators instead of aerosol air fresheners that can contain harmful chemicals. Also, switch from chemical-treated cleaning products to organic alternatives. Homemade cleaning solutions are effective and will not harm you or your family’s health. They include baking soda, vinegar and essential oils such as tea tree oil.
Keep the Humidity in Check
If you struggle with too much humidity in your home, invest in a dehumidifier to keep moisture at bay. High humidity can lead to mold growth and poor indoor air quality. Take care of leaks, open windows and doors to let fresh air inside.
Attend to Plumbing Issues
Fixtures such as leaking faucets can increase humidity in your home and lead to mold growth. If you cannot fix the problem yourself, call a professional. Note that leaks on the roof can also cause water damage to your home’s ceilings and walls, leading to mold and mildew.
Don’t Smoke Inside
Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health, but how bad is it for indoor air quality? Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including some that are poisonous. If you’re a smoker, do your part to improve air quality by smoking outdoors.
Take an Active Role in Improving Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality affects the health and well-being of your entire family, so make sure you care for your home by eliminating or reducing these common issues which can pose a threat to your home. Your family will thank you for it.
