Recent UK data suggests that many people spend more time at home than usual. And if you are among this population, you should take improving indoor air quality to stay safe and healthy at home.
Poor air quality affects your body in many ways. For example, it could cause dizziness, headache, allergies, and respiratory diseases, among other things. Candles and air fresheners may offer some improvement. But you can also consider the seven tips below to improve indoor air quality significantly.
1. Avoid smoking indoors
According to research, tobacco smoking is responsible for over eight million deaths annually. Smoking inside your home is also bad for your indoor air quality. Aside from emitting unsafe gases, the particles may also be embedded into your furnishes, fabrics, and even your walls. While it is advisable to avoid smoking altogether, consider doing it outside if you must to avoid harming your indoor air quality, especially if you share your space with others.
2. Open your windows
Nothing improves your indoor air quality more than good natural airflow, making this one of the simplest, most effective and fastest ways to improve indoor air. For instance, while you're cooking, your kitchen stove emissions may introduce harmful contaminants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide into your home. However, you can eliminate or reduce their effects by opening your windows to improve ventilation. Using your cooking vents and opening windows will push the contaminants out and bring in more fresh air. Unfortunately, this may not be a good idea if you live in an area close to industrial activities or major highways. The air in such environments is likely too contaminated to allow inside.
3. Control the moisture indoors
Many sources, such as showers, fridges, leaking basement floors and even cooking, can introduce moisture to your home. Unfortunately, uncontrolled moisture may create an environment that promotes biological pollutants like mould and mildew to grow and affect the quality of your indoor air. So consider fixing all seepage and leaks inside, using exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom to eliminate moisture, and turning off appliances like heaters and humidifiers when you notice moisture on your surfaces. You can also follow this guide to stop your fridge from leaking and introducing moisture inside.
4. Bring in some green life
Plants are natural air filters, and bringing a few into your space can improve air quality alongside boosting your home's aesthetics. Some household plants can also eliminate air toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Other air-filtering plants include Aloe Vera, Golden Pothos, Weeping figs, Spider Plants, sword ferns, English Ivy, And Peace Lily. Studies also show indoor plants are useful for improving mood, stimulating creativity and decreasing stress for a healthier, happier you.
5. Clean your HVAC system
You can reduce the dust particles in your home by regularly cleaning your vents and replacing the filters in your furnace. While changing your filters is essential, many people consider the cost too much when buying a replacement. Unfortunately, cheap filters may do little to improve your indoor air quality. On the other hand, high-quality filters will greatly improve indoor air quality, have a long-lasting HVAC system, and save money on maintenance and utility bills.
6. Regularly wash your bedding
Bed sheets are usually filled with dirt, skin flakes, and microscopic dust mites. Since some of these elements are hard to see with the eyes, it is tempting to skip changing or washing your bedding for some days. Unfortunately, this may introduce some odours into your bedroom, affecting air and sleep quality. To prevent this, it is important to change your bedding regularly and consider washing it using hot water weekly to eliminate any mites and germs inside. This can help freshen the air inside and improve your sleep quality.
7. Avoid wearing your shoes indoors
Your shoes can carry pollen, dust, mould, dirt and other particles into your home when you wear them indoors. Home floors already accumulate so much dirt, dust and allergens indoors and bringing in your shoes after a long day at work may worsen the situation. Consider creating a no-shoes indoors policy to ensure that every household member is committed to keeping clean indoor air. You can also put door mats at your entryways to catch dirt and debris you may introduce into your space.
Keeping your indoor air clean and healthy requires commitment and taking preventative measures. With the above tips in mind, you will be on the right track to keeping your home air pure and breathable.
1. Avoid smoking indoors
According to research, tobacco smoking is responsible for over eight million deaths annually. Smoking inside your home is also bad for your indoor air quality. Aside from emitting unsafe gases, the particles may also be embedded into your furnishes, fabrics, and even your walls. While it is advisable to avoid smoking altogether, consider doing it outside if you must to avoid harming your indoor air quality, especially if you share your space with others.
2. Open your windows
Nothing improves your indoor air quality more than good natural airflow, making this one of the simplest, most effective and fastest ways to improve indoor air. For instance, while you're cooking, your kitchen stove emissions may introduce harmful contaminants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide into your home. However, you can eliminate or reduce their effects by opening your windows to improve ventilation. Using your cooking vents and opening windows will push the contaminants out and bring in more fresh air. Unfortunately, this may not be a good idea if you live in an area close to industrial activities or major highways. The air in such environments is likely too contaminated to allow inside.
3. Control the moisture indoors
Many sources, such as showers, fridges, leaking basement floors and even cooking, can introduce moisture to your home. Unfortunately, uncontrolled moisture may create an environment that promotes biological pollutants like mould and mildew to grow and affect the quality of your indoor air. So consider fixing all seepage and leaks inside, using exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom to eliminate moisture, and turning off appliances like heaters and humidifiers when you notice moisture on your surfaces. You can also follow this guide to stop your fridge from leaking and introducing moisture inside.
4. Bring in some green life
Plants are natural air filters, and bringing a few into your space can improve air quality alongside boosting your home's aesthetics. Some household plants can also eliminate air toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Other air-filtering plants include Aloe Vera, Golden Pothos, Weeping figs, Spider Plants, sword ferns, English Ivy, And Peace Lily. Studies also show indoor plants are useful for improving mood, stimulating creativity and decreasing stress for a healthier, happier you.
5. Clean your HVAC system
You can reduce the dust particles in your home by regularly cleaning your vents and replacing the filters in your furnace. While changing your filters is essential, many people consider the cost too much when buying a replacement. Unfortunately, cheap filters may do little to improve your indoor air quality. On the other hand, high-quality filters will greatly improve indoor air quality, have a long-lasting HVAC system, and save money on maintenance and utility bills.
6. Regularly wash your bedding
Bed sheets are usually filled with dirt, skin flakes, and microscopic dust mites. Since some of these elements are hard to see with the eyes, it is tempting to skip changing or washing your bedding for some days. Unfortunately, this may introduce some odours into your bedroom, affecting air and sleep quality. To prevent this, it is important to change your bedding regularly and consider washing it using hot water weekly to eliminate any mites and germs inside. This can help freshen the air inside and improve your sleep quality.
7. Avoid wearing your shoes indoors
Your shoes can carry pollen, dust, mould, dirt and other particles into your home when you wear them indoors. Home floors already accumulate so much dirt, dust and allergens indoors and bringing in your shoes after a long day at work may worsen the situation. Consider creating a no-shoes indoors policy to ensure that every household member is committed to keeping clean indoor air. You can also put door mats at your entryways to catch dirt and debris you may introduce into your space.
Keeping your indoor air clean and healthy requires commitment and taking preventative measures. With the above tips in mind, you will be on the right track to keeping your home air pure and breathable.
*Collaborative post
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