5 Tips To Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

Sometimes, the air in your home may be laden with allergens and an odorless indoor environment does not necessarily equate to fresh air. Unclean air can spark problems in young children, the elderly, and people with allergies. While it may not have an immediate effect on healthy adults, long-term exposure can cause health issues in the future. As such, it's crucial to keep the air inside your home clean and fresh. Below we discuss five tips to help improve your home's indoor air quality.

1. Change filters regularly

Home air filters help keep your indoors free of pollutants. Some types of filters like electrostatic and HEPA are very effective on this. They trap microscopic allergens and ensure the air circulating back into the room is clean and healthy to inhale. However, for optimal performance, ensure you replace them every two to three months.  

2. Keep your home clean always

It's crucial to clean your home regularly. Allergens thrive in house dust and can bring about all manner of health problems. Pet dander, chemicals from personal care products, or tracked in dirt are common sources of indoor air pollutants. Vacuuming your floors, carpets, walls, and furniture upholstery regularly rids your home of dirt and dust and helps eliminate most allergens. Ensure you use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner to keep dust from being blown back. Clean the filters regularly to get rid of the accumulated deposits. In addition, consider using a doormat to avoid tracking dirt into the house. Alternatively, have your family and guests take off their shoes before entering the house. 

3. Use air purifiers

Air purifiers are effective in cleaning the air by getting rid of pollutants. They come in handy, especially during those cold months when the weather won't allow you to open the windows and let in some fresh air. However, urban dwellers who live in highly contaminated environments may need them even during hot weather. If you fear opening your windows will introduce unclean air into your home, you can create your fresh air with a quality air purifier. 

4. Eliminate excess moisture   

Excess moisture encourages the growth of mold, leading to air contamination. Leaky taps, a cluttered basement, trapped water in the bathroom are all catalysts of mold growth. Ensure you keep your basement decluttered and well-ventilated, and keep your indoors dry as much as possible. If you grow indoor plants, ensure you don't over-water them. You can also use a dehumidifier to get rid of excess moisture from the air.     

5. Avoid smoking indoors

Smoking can leave your indoor air highly polluted and unsafe for your family. Cigarette smoke has over 4000 chemicals, which affect both the smoker and those around them. Infusing the smoke can be dangerous, especially for young children. It increases their risk of developing cancer, asthma, and other respiratory infections. In a nutshell, avoiding smoking indoors can improve the air quality for a comfortable and healthy environment.  

Endnote

The absence of odors in your home may not be a true reflection of the air quality. Sometimes allergens may lurk in the seemingly fresh air. This can result in loads of health problems for your family. However, you can help improve the air quality in your home by keeping it clean always, changing your filters regularly, using air purifiers, eliminating excess moisture, and making it a smoking-free zone.