Improving indoor air quality is something that’s usually not in our priority list. As parents, we have seemingly endless list of tasks like bringing kids to school on time, feeding them nutritious meals, and ensuring that they do their homework. It’s no wonder why ensuring a healthy indoor air quality can sometimes fall to the bottom of apparently long to-do list.
These tips and tricks to improve indoor air quality are easy to adopt into your schedule and will help to keep your household happy and healthy.
Open Your Windows
Even if only for a few minutes each day, open your windows to let in fresh air. Studies show that indoor air quality is full of toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide and is often much poorer than that outside. Changes in your home including new furniture, new paint, or a new stove can all cause air quality to decline. So open those windows and let the fresh breeze improve your indoor air quality.
Maintain a Regular Cleaning Schedule
Cleaning your home does not have to be a dreaded weekly chore. Consider doing little bits of dusting each day — the chore will feel much smaller. Regularly vacuuming and dusting will reduce the level of allergens in your home, improving your indoor air quality. Also, don’t forget to clean those forgotten about spaces such as decorative pillows, draperies, and bookshelves.
Keep Humidity Between 30 and 50 Percent
Mold loves humidity, so try to keep your home’s humidity between 30 and 50 percent. Also, try regulating your humidity with a dehumidifier and by opening windows when cooking or taking a shower.
Get Air-Filtering Plants
One of the most beautiful ways to purify the air in your home is with air-purifying plants. In 1989, the NASA Clean Air Study found that some plants are able to reduce the level of volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) in the home. In the study, certain plants were able to reduce the levels of benzene, trichlorethylene, and formaldehyde from indoor air. They did this by filtering the pollution through their roots and leaves.
Among the many different types studied, some of the best pollutant reducers were the peace lily and the florist’s chrysanthemum. These filter out all of the foregoing chemicals, as well as ammonia. Their contribution may be small, but it is still an improvement. Be careful with these plants, however, as some — like lily and chrysanthemum — are poisonous when consumed by humans and animals.
Install an Air Purifier
If you really want to improve the indoor air quality in your home, consider installing an air purifier. These machines can be used to pull contaminants out of the air in your home and reduce allergy symptoms. If you are considering an air purifier, contact trained HVAC specialists to look at your system. They can also recommend an air purifier that will work for your home.
Adding the above tips in your cleaning routine will help to improve your indoor air quality and keep yourself and your children healthy and away from allergens. We hope you find these tips easy to adopt into your hectic schedule.
