3 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

When we think about air pollution, we always think of the air outside, and we somehow always forget about indoor air. We think about the ozone and the smog, but the truth of the matter is that the air inside our homes is much more polluted and can be more dangerous to our health.

Indoor air is polluted with many allergens and irritants, such as dust mites, mold, and various volatile organic compounds from wall paints. Indoor allergens are far more dangerous than outdoor pollutants, because you spend the most of your time at home and, thus, you are more exposed to the allergens inside it.

The most alarming fact about those allergens is that their negative effects on your health usually manifest after years of exposure. So, it is of the utmost importance that you do everything you possibly can in order to make sure you improve the air quality in your home. Take a look at some helpful ways to achieve that and ultimately take good care of your health.

Clean the Floors Regularly

You need to make sure that the floors in your home are fresh and clean at all times, so that you can control dust and other allergens that don’t stop accumulating on the floors. You should vacuum two or more times a week and, when you do so, don’t forget about all the corners and all those tucked in, little places where most of the dust tends to accumulate, such as the edges of carpets. Also, a lot of dust can accumulate in upholstered furniture and on the walls, so every time you start vacuuming remember to clean those as well.

When it comes to the vacuum you should use, make sure it has a HEPA filter, since this will ensure that all of the toxins and dust stay inside the filter, instead of being blown back in the air by the exhaust. Nevertheless, vacuum cleaners do leave traces of dust, so you should mop your floors after vacuuming in order to make sure everything is completely fresh.

Don’t Smoke Inside the House

Whether you are a smoker or not, you are certainly aware of the negative effects of smoking, but how aware are you of all the toxins and chemicals with which cigarette smoke pollutes the air? There are over 4000 chemicals contained inside cigarette smoke and it goes without saying that they are extremely dangerous to our health.

Smoking causes not only breathing problems over time, but also heart attacks, strokes and even cancer. What’s more, constant exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke can lead to the same health problems and diseases, not to mention that it is incredibly dangerous for children. They can develop asthma, ear and respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome, and cancer.

Therefore, you should completely eliminate smoking inside your home and, if you happen to be a smoker who simply cannot kick the habit, make sure you smoke outside. That way, you will protect your family members from being exposed to secondhand smoke and breathing in the toxic chemicals. Your home will be much cleaner and you will have a breath of fresh air every day.

Purify the Air in Your Home

When deciding to purify the indoor air, many people go for plug-in air fresheners, thinking those will really make the air cleaner. The common misconception probably arises because of the fragrances they contain, as people find them pleasant and appealing. However, the truth is that those fragrances contain many volatile organic compounds and chemicals called phthalates, which raise numerous health concerns.

Therefore, if you want to truly purify the air in your home, steer clear of cleaners with fragrances and make sure you ventilate your rooms frequently. Also, find the best air purifier that has a HEPA filter and that will ensure that the air quality in your home is impeccable. Another excellent option is to bring nature indoors, since plants soak up all the chemicals in the air and can be your living air purifiers.