Air pollution outside, from smog to car exhaust, is easy to see, but did you know there may be pollution inside your home? Apart from outside pollutants leaking in, dust, mold and even hazardous chemicals could be floating around your living space. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a multitude of health problems, so you may want to address it soon.
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Improve Your Indoor Air Quality With These Tips
Below you’ll find ten ways you can improve the air quality in your home:
1. Change Your Air Filter
Your air conditioning system makes your home more comfortable and cleans your air as it does so. Your AC more than likely includes a filter for dust and other pollutants, but it gets backed up over time. To ensure it keeps working correctly, you should regularly clean or replace your air filter.
2. Use Non-Toxic Cleaners
It’s essential to keep your house clean, but the chemicals you use in the process may be harming your lungs. Cleaners like aerosols and harsh detergents can release hazardous compounds that can lead to any number of health issues. To avoid these, look for non-toxic and natural alternatives and only use cleaning products in well-ventilated areas.
3. Use HEPA Filters
Not all filters are created equal. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters offer superior protection against dust or other allergens that may be in the air. You can install a HEPA filter in your AC or furnace, and you can also buy products like vacuums with built-in HEPA filters.
4. Buy Some House Plants
Did you know plants can clean the air as they breathe? Placing a variety of greenery throughout your home is a great, natural way to improve your air quality. Some do a better job than others at purifying the air, so look into what the best plants for your home may be.
5. Avoid Smoking Inside
This step should be obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens and other harmful substances that can even be dangerous secondhand. The healthiest option is to try to quit, but if you have to smoke, you should do it outside, as not to pollute the air in your home.
6. Improve Ventilation
The quality of your air depends on how well it flows. If your house isn’t well-ventilated, pollutants will linger in the air. You can ensure a healthy, constant airflow by opening doors and windows whenever possible, or by buying a ventilation unit.
7. Test for Radon
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It’s an odorless, colorless gas that can seep into your house from the soil through cracks in the foundation. You can buy a radon testing kit for relatively cheap, and reducing radon levels is often inexpensive.
8. Control the Humidity
Too much humidity can lead to mold or mildew growing in your home, which can cause respiratory issues. Using a dehumidifier can help lower moisture levels in your air, and running your AC helps too. It’s also beneficial to use exhaust fans when you’re cooking or taking a shower.
9. Clean Your Sheets
Dust mites are notorious for triggering allergies and asthma attacks. These microscopic creatures feed on dead skin cells, so they often live in bedding or furniture. To protect against dust mites, wash your sheets regularly and clean any upholstery on your furniture.
10. Take Off Your Shoes
When people walk inside your home, they can bring in pollutants from outside. Taking your shoes off when you enter your house keeps your floors clean, and it prevents you from tracking in outside contaminants like dust and pesticides.
Keeping Your Air Clean
You can maintain good indoor air quality by making simple adjustments. These changes are small enough not to inconvenience you, and they can have powerful results.
Author Bio:
Emily is a freelancer writer covering topics in sustainability and green living. You can read more of her work on her blog, Conservation Folks, or follow her on Twitter.
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