The general population associated air pollution with the outdoors. The outer world is filled with smog, haze, dust, allergens, and much more, and the indoors are deemed clean and safe. But the reality doesn’t change inside our homes and offices. Our indoors tend to be more polluted than the outdoors.
The air quality inside houses and offices is filled with lead, chemicals used in fragrance cleaners, fire-retardants, etc. The indoor air can become stale, and our house’s heating system can cause more allergens to remain indoor. These allergens include dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander. For more information about reducing radon concentrations in buildings, you can hire a radon mitigation professional.
The weather might be too chilly to open the windows wide and let all the stale air out. But you can’t wait till spring and compromise on your health till then. That is why we have some simple solutions to improve the air quality inside your home.
1. Keep your home clean
If you make cleaning a part of your routine, it will do wonders to reduce indoor air pollution levels. It can reduce dust and pet dander and make the air quality better. So clean your home by vacuuming the rugs and carpets two or three times a week. We recommend that you use a good quality vacuum cleaner with filters. If you are open to making changes, having a hard-surface floor such as hardwood or tiles can reduce the air’s allergens.
Apart from the floor, clean the drapes, cushions, bedding, and sofas. If you have pets, regularly dust and clean the areas, they roam around. And when you clean, always make sure you organize all the clutter and keep as much open space as possible.
2. Change your filters
Your house’s heating or air-conditioning system is working all year to give you the perfect temperature appropriate to the weather. When these systems cycle the air inside the home, they filter the pollutants present in the air. If you don’t clean your filters regularly, they will clog and eventually stop working. It will drastically affect the air quality inside your home and the condition of your cooling or heating system. Ensure that you change all the AC and furnace filters in time to maintain the best air quality. Also, change all the filters in other appliances that include vacuum cleaners, kitchen vent, and the washing machine.
3. Keep the plants outside
Indoor plants give a beautiful aesthetic appearance to your home, but they are also home to mold and dust allergens. Not to mention the insects and mosquitoes that get attracted by greenery and can ruin your home’s cleanliness. We are not saying that plants are not beneficial inside. They produce fresh oxygen and provide fresh air, but they are also home to mold and other problems. They might trigger allergic reactions in people. So if you analyze the pros and cons, it is better to keep the plants outside.
4. Ventilate your home
A steady airflow is essential so that the air inside doesn’t turn stale. But the cold weather restricts us from opening the doors and windows to let the air out. So when this option isn’t available, use trickle vents to let the stale air out and the fresh air inside. They are particularly beneficial if you live in a busy urban area where the outdoor air is full of dust and smoke. Ensure you install vents in the kitchen and bathroom area for the best airflow, as these places need it the most.
5. Maintain the humidity levels
Mold grows in moisture, and dust mites thrive in humidity. So if you keep the humidity levels between thirty to fifty percent, you can control the allergens and reduce them drastically. This is where dehumidifiers come in. If the summer months are too humid, use a dehumidifier to balance the air’s moisture and prevent the allergy particles. If you have houseplants, make sure not to overwater them. You don’t only increase the humidity by watering them more but also make them vulnerable to mold and allergens.
6. Make your home a no-smoking zone
The smoke produced by cigarettes contains more than 4000 chemicals that harm our health. These chemicals increase infections, cancer, asthma, and other breathing problems. If you must smoke, smoke outside; however, quitting is a better option for your health and those around you.
Conclusion
The indoor air-quality determines your health. To maintain it, you will have to regularly clean your home, make better working habits, and drop bad habits that contribute to low air quality. Your house is supposed to be a safe place from all harmful things, and if the indoors are more polluted than the outdoors, what is the point? The methods we mentioned above can help you achieve better air quality inside your home and maintain your health. The preventive and maintenance measures will also help you maintain your home and appliances. So you will save your health and your money at the same time.
