When you think of air pollution, smoggy city air probably comes to mind. You might not know that the air inside your home, office, and other buildings can be worse than outdoors. Indoor air often contains dust, chemicals, and other contaminants. Poor air quality contributes to health problems like asthma and fatigue. Follow these seven tips to improve indoor air quality.
7 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality
1. Ventilate
Indoor air needs ventilation to stay fresh. Adequate airflow eliminates stagnant, contaminated air and replaces it with fresh air. A simple solution is to open the doors and windows for 15 minutes, preferably in the morning. Use ventilation fans in your bathroom and kitchen to remove moisture and pollutants from your home.
2. Clean the Air Conditioner
An air conditioner also helps to improve indoor air quality because it filters particulates from the air. Clean or replace your filter on a regular basis according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Get Rid of Dust
Dust mites accumulate in bedding, cushions, and curtains, and can irritate your throat and nose. Wash your bedding and curtains regularly in hot water to keep the air fresh. Dust the hard surfaces of your home often.
4. Vacuum to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Vacuuming is a simple task that significantly improves air quality. Use a vacuum with strong suction and a HEPA filter to reduce toxins like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. You may need to vacuum multiple times a week or the same spot more than once in areas of high traffic. Don’t forget to wash or replace your filter when it gets dirty.
5. Reduce Humidity
A humid home is an ideal environment for dust mites and mold. Aim to keep the humidity under 50% to minimize allergens. A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air and filters allergens out. Other ways to reduce humidity in your home include:
- Using an exhaust fan in the bathroom or when cooking
- Venting the clothes dryer outside
- Fixing any plumbing leaks
6. No Smoking Indoors
Enforce a no-smoking rule inside your home. Secondhand cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals that contribute to cancer, asthma, and respiratory infections.
7. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products to Improve Indoor Air Quality
The chemicals in cleaning products can negatively impact indoor air. Many household products contain harmful VOCs. Switch to eco-friendly, all-natural cleaning products to improve indoor air quality.
Take measures to keep the air in your home clean and safe for everyone to breathe. RE/INSPEX Home Inspections provides air sampling and other home inspection services to Northwest North Carolina. Contact us to book our services.