You would probably never believe it if you heard that the indoor air quality is worse than outside air quality. With all the pollution and car emissions and toxins out in the world in this day and age, how could outside air possibly be even better than inside? Of course, we all understand how it begins to feel stuffy and all enclosed when the house is been shut up all day but we don’t realize actually because of the allergens and pollutants that are in the home. Even though the pollutants outside are worse for you, there is open space for them to dissipate into. Inside, there’s nowhere for them to go except to settle into your carpets and furniture and other areas. Here are some practical ways to improve indoor air quality in your home.
Even though it is a fairly common practice to procrastinate cleaning, it’s very important to have a regular cleaning schedule in order to reduce the allergens in the air to air.
Dusting ? it is better to dust with a damp cloth or spray done with the feather duster. A feather duster make it the dust off the areas you were brushing but it doesn’t collect all of them in the duster, much of the dust will just settle somewhere else in the room.
Sweeping – when sweeping make sure to get all the corners and baseboards of all the floors and try to do this every day or at least every other day.
Vacuuming ? this should be done last so as to pick up any dust or particles that of been missed in your dusting and sweeping routines.
- Open a window
If the weather permits, opening windows will let in fresh air and send out the inside air. If the weather does not allow you to open the windows then ceiling fans can help to circulate air as well. And exhaust fan can help grease and smoke another vapors not to be released into the air.
If you are in a position to remodel or renovate, remember your air quality when making your choices. hardwood or tile is easier to clean and traps less dirt than carpet does. Blinds will get less dusty than curtains and houseplants release oxygen and help to improve indoor air quality.
- Air purifiers
An air purifier will do a lot to helping the quality of air. Home mold inspections have shown that a good majority of common molds grow because of non purified air. Make sure you get the right size purifier for your home.
- Change your filters
Make sure that you are replacing the filters in your HVAC system at least every three months whether it is being used or not. In the summer you may want to change them more frequently.
Are you one of those people that lets laundry pile up before you get it done? Fabric harbors so many dust mites and allergens. Try washing just one load a day to keep on top of the laundry as well as not allowing allergens to settle into it. This will also make your water use more efficient.
- Cut down on moisture
In humid environments it is hard to minimize moisture but mold and mildew you thrive when the air is moist. If you live in a humid area you may want to invest in a dehumidifier. Bathrooms and kitchens are the biggest attractant of mold and mildew as this is where most of the water is in your home. Make sure that these rooms are well ventilated.
Following these easy tips will improve indoor air quality in your home. Indoor air quality testing is available if you wish to find out exactly what kind of air your home has. If you improve indoor air quality you may also see a significant difference in allergy symptoms and you or your family members. The removal of dust mites and other toxic substances will help to ensure everyone lives a healthier life.