The air quality in your home can affect your wellness. For example, people with existing heart problems and respiratory conditions may have a higher tendency to develop health issues due to poor indoor air quality. Adopting measures to circulate cleaner air reduces your risks of developing health conditions and will enhance your quality of life. Here are some proven ways to achieve this.
Invest in an air purifier
Using an air purifier is a good way to clean indoor air. It helps to choose one with a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter that can do a wonderful job removing up to 99% of particles from your living space. It’s also worth noting that this device is essential to limit the effects of smoke, volatile organic compounds, and excess carbon dioxide. Air purifiers with HEPA filters effectively remove flu virus particles, so keep this in mind.
Maintain your HVAC units
Scheduling routine home air conditioning repair is important to keep your units running efficiently. This practice can allow experts to replace the filters in your HVAC systems. Your home’s air ducts must be clean and not obstructed by dust buildup. You should also note that maintaining good ventilation at home can improve indoor air quality too. Therefore, consider putting off your HVAC system for a while. Instead, open your doors and windows to let in fresh air sometimes. However, drafts may enter your home via vents and other weak points around the doors, so ensure this does not compromise air quality in your living space.
Prioritize greenery
Plants are natural air filters, so buying the right types will enhance your interior decor and air quality. Small plants such as ferns and lilies are effective for sucking contaminants out of the air. Larger palm trees are equally effective for filtering the air. While these items are beneficial, you must understand that some species can promote mold growth. If your indoor plants trigger allergies, replace them with healthier alternatives.
Clean your rugs and carpets
You’ll find it helpful to keep your rugs and carpets clean as they improve your comfort at home by trapping dust and other particles. Your indoor air quality will improve once you vacuum, wash, and dry them weekly.
Control humidity
Damp conditions may contribute to mold and mildew, helping trigger respiratory problems, including allergies and asthma. It would be best to regulate humidity in your home by limiting moisture. You can curb irritating mold growth by using dehumidifiers available in different varieties. These can help maintain an optimum humidity level in your home, creating a comfortable living space.
Check your heating appliance
Your household heating appliance can greatly impact your indoor air quality. For example, wood-dependent stoves and fireplaces are known for producing high levels of harmful particles, which can increase your risks of experiencing lung cancer and other long-term health challenges. Heating systems with old-fashioned furnaces and gas-powered appliances are considered high-risk devices. Gas-driven heating systems tend to produce carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas that can cause suffocation and death. Experts suggest using direct vent gas systems, which stop gas from polluting indoor air. Investing in solar and electric heating devices is also a good idea, so feel free to invest in them to achieve the desired outcome.
Reduce pollutants
Another crucial tip to improve indoor air quality is reducing pollutants. Radon, secondhand smoke, and formaldehyde are common pollutants to watch out for. The radioactive natural gas radon can hide beneath the earth’s surface and build up in your home, creating cancer risks. Consider buying a home test kit to check for unsafe levels. If your test returns positive results, you will want to seal your foundation, making it impossible for the harmful gas to creep into your living space. Avoid second and third smoke in your interior by not smoking indoors.
Thirdhand smoke on clothes can ruin your indoor air quality. Cleaning products like bleach, air fresheners, and sprays may contain toxic chemicals that can linger. Opting for nontoxic cleaning agents is necessary to keep your indoor air clean. Volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde commonly exist in glues used for furniture. Extreme exposure to the compound can cause bronchitis, so feel free to consider this. One way to limit formaldehyde is to choose new furniture over new ones and solid wood over composite wood.
Your indoor air quality is instrumental for your overall health, and prioritizing it is a good decision. Hopefully, these helpful tips can keep your home clean from harmful particles.
