Air pollution is probably one of the biggest problems facing humanity today. Despite international treaties that aim to minimize pollution, cars, factories, and the like continue to wreak havoc on the quality of our air.
The way things stand, outdoor air quality is likely to get worse over time, especially in urban areas.
Indoor air quality, on the other hand, is something we can improve.
Improving air quality outdoors may be a gargantuan task, but doing the same for home air quality is relatively easier. Here are some simple strategies that you can implement to make the quality of air inside your home so much better.
The simple act of keeping the house clean on a regular basis can help cut down on dust and animal dander. By cleaning up, you get to reduce the accumulation of pet dander, mold, and dust in your home.
If your home has carpets and rugs, vacuum them once or twice a week. It would be even better if your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA filter. Changing drapes, beddings, and other items that typically harbor allergens would also be a good idea. You should also keep your home free of all manners of clutter, as they gather dust which can trigger allergic reactions.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) once studied houseplants in a bid to determine which ones are best for filtering the
air inside space stations. Their research led to the discovery that aloe vera, spider plant, Boston fern, bamboo palm, and peace lily as particularly
good at filtering out formaldehyde, benzene, and other harmful chemicals.
These houseplants also supplement oxygen supply inside your home, and that makes them a great aid in improving the quality of air indoors.
Changing your air filters regularly doesn’t just ensure sufficient airflow for your cooling or heating system. It also allows you to get rid of the dust and other airborne irritants that the filter has trapped over the last few months. With clean air filters, your capability to stop allergens from re-circulating throughout your home improves.
Each cigarette stick is loaded with thousands of chemicals that can easily compromise air quality in your home. Many of these chemicals are toxic, and around 60 of them can cause cancer. If you can make your entire home a no-smoking zone, then that would be a significant step toward improving indoor air quality.
Despite our best efforts, there are instances when we can’t control the source of allergens, like in the case of having pets we can’t keep from shedding fur and
spreading dander all over the place. An air purifier can come in handy in such situations. While ionic purifiers may not be able to remove allergens completely,
they can at least help you reduce them.
You may also find a dehumidifier useful in improving air quality at home. Excess moisture breeds mold, and running a dehumidifier in damp areas such as the basement can effectively prevent their formation.
To further keep moisture levels at home at a healthy level, make sure your plumbing, ceiling, and roof have no leaks. Your bathrooms should also be well-ventilated.
Commercial air fresheners can sure give a home that fragrant smell, but know that that fragrance you’re inhaling is loaded with harmful Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs, which can cause headaches, nausea, and in the long term, damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.
There are many natural ways of making your home smell fresh . You can try arranging lemon slices on a plate and let it sit in a room. Baking soda in a bowl is also good at eliminating odors.
It’s understandable if you keep your doors and windows closed in the winter to keep the cold out, but there’s no harm in letting the outside air in from time to time to refresh the air inside. It’s also a good way of letting air contaminants out of the house.
If you’re somehow unconvinced that the air inside your home is that polluted, you can actually perform an indoor air quality test. There are commercially-available test kits that you can buy. And when the results come back positive, waste no time in applying the tips listed above, since you and your family deserve nothing less than breathing clean and fresh air inside your home.
Feel free to contact us any time at 602-349-6922 for immediate assistance.
We offer 24 hour emergency service, and would be happy to schedule an appointment for you, or simply answer any questions you may have.
3045 N. Colorado St.
Chandler, AZ 85225