By Todd Michaels
Cleanliness is next to healthiness. The air you breathe inside your home may be just as dangerous to your health as the outdoor air in some of the nation’s worst polluted cities. With a little effort, you can improve the air quality in and around your home.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
The air in your house contains pollutants from everyday activities like cooking, bathing, and cleaning. Mold and mildew may be an issue in bathrooms and kitchens, and pets can also contribute to poor air quality. Indoor air pollution has been linked to multiple health issues, including respiratory problems, rashes, and headaches. And with people spending more time inside their homes these days due to the pandemic, it might be time to make some upgrades for better air quality.
Check and Change Your Filters
Start with checking your AC or furnace filter. If you haven’t changed it in a few months, now is the time to do so. Electrostatic filters can ensure dust and other airborne irritants get trapped inside of being recirculated throughout your home, according to Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Nicholas BuSaba. Changing your filters regularly will not only help improve the air quality, but it can reduce costly furnace and AC repair bills.
Thoroughly Vacuum and Clean Your Home
It’s easy for dust to become trapped in carpets, rugs, and window treatments. Thick carpet can also host dust mites and bacteria. It’s important to regularly vacuum and dust in all rooms. And when you’re cleaning, opt for natural or non-toxic cleaners. Remember, soap and hot water can go a long way to keeping your home fresh and clean.
Mow the Lawn and Boost the Greenery
Another great way to reduce air pollution around the home is to keep a well-maintained lawn. Grass acts as a natural air filter to trap and remove carbon dioxide, dust, and other particles from the air. The same goes for the tree canopy in and around your home. Trees filter any bacteria that might float in your home through an open window. Having trees between the road and your front door can significantly reduce indoor particulate matter. Place a few plants in rooms around the house. Not only are they decorative, but they can also purify the air.
Blow Out the Candles for Good
While candles may add warmth and ambiance to your home, they can also generate air pollutants. Popular paraffin-based candles can emit toxic chemicals into the air of your home. Burning candles could aggravate asthma or cause allergy-like symptoms. It’s best to avoid them altogether and instead open up a window and let the fresh air move around the house.
Crack Open a Window When Cooking
Many indoor air pollutants come from the kitchen. Cooking on gas stoves can produce a lot of pollutants in the air, including nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. It’s important when cooking with a gas appliance, that you turn on the kitchen vents or crack open a window to help filter the air.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports we spend an average of 90% of our time indoors. So, it makes sense to take the necessary steps to reduce the pollution in and around our home. Follow these tips, and you can breathe easy knowing the air in your home is clean, fresh, and healthy for you and your family.
Todd Michaels is a conservationist with degrees in biology and botany. He writes about eco-friendly landscaping and recycling efforts around the country.