14 Ways to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution in Your Home
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Indoor air pollution can be a serious threat to your health as it directly affects the physical and mental well-being of individuals. It means the presence of contaminants in the air inside your home, which is likely to provoke different health issues, from respiratory problems or allergies to headaches and fatigue.
Luckily, there are multiple ways you can minimize indoor air pollution in your home by following just a few simple changes and practices. Here are some of them.
Keep Your Home Clean
By cleaning and dusting your home regularly, you can drastically reduce the number of harmful airborne particles. Carpeted floors and rugs may harbor dust, pet dander, mites, etc. Regular vacuuming, then mopping and wiping germs off surfaces with a damp cloth can help.
Use Natural Cleaning Products
Some of the most common items used to clean around your house are loaded with harsh, indoor air-polluting chemicals. Avoid harsh chemicals; go for natural alternatives like vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice. These are equally effective and a lot more healthier alternatives to human health.
Invest in an Air Purifier
An air purifier is a device specifically made to penetrate the indoor air in your home and filter substances. It accomplishes this by sucking in the air from around it and pushing that air through a set of filters, which collect dust, pollen, and even smoke particles. Quality air purifiers is an amazing investment to improve your home’s air quality.
Properly Ventilate Your Home
Ventilate your home properly to lower indoor air pollution. Regularly opening windows and doors allows fresh air to circulate, which can help push out pollutants that may have built up indoors. In bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-moisture areas, you may also utilize exhaust fans to pull out extra humidity.
Keep Humidity Levels Under Control
If the humidity is high, mold can easily grow and cause respiratory problems or allergies. You can, among many other things, including using a dehumidifier to maintain indoor humidity at 30% to 50%. In addition, do not let any leaks or water damage go unrepaired in order to prevent the development of mold.
Avoid Using Aerosol Sprays
As this report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attests, aerosol spray cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to respiratory health and contribute to indoor air pollution. Skip the aerosol sprays for cleaning or scenting your space, and go for other spray options like pump bottles/ non-aerosols, or natural alternatives.
No Cigarette Inside
Cigarettes are one of the most common forms of indoor air pollution. It contains thousands of chemicals that are known to be harmful to you and your family with side effects. It is important to have a very strict non-cigarette policy in your home.
Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals Indoors
Some household items contain certain chemicals that can release harmful gases and pollute the air of your home. Whenever possible, do not use these products indoors and always make sure to follow directions on the label when applying them.
Keep Indoor Plants
Plants add beauty and life to your pad, and some help in air purification. Indoor plant improves quality of air by absorbing harmful toxins and exhaling oxygen. Some of the popular indoor plants that clean air are peace lilies, spider plants, lavender, snake plants and aloe vera.
Remove Your Shoes at the Door
Shoes can bring dirt, dust, and other pollutants from the outdoors directly into your home. Leave your shoes by the door to keep particles off of the floors in other rooms. This simple routine can reduce indoor air pollution to a great extent.
Use Natural Air Fresheners
Common commercial air fresheners release toxic chemicals into the air in their mixture of synthetic perfume. Instead, use natural alternatives like essential oils or homemade potpourri for a great smell and no bad indoor environmental quality.
Test for Radon Gas
According to Protect Environmental, radon gas is a colorless and odor-free gas that can get through cracks and other holes in your home’s foundations, causing indoor air pollution. If you know the radon situation is bad where you live, consider testing for this toxic gas regularly.
Regularly Change Air Filters
With time, all HVAC system air filters clog up with dust, pollen, and other waste. Properly maintained, they do the job of keeping your air cleaner and should filter out dust, pollen, mold spores, animal dander, and other pollutants in your outdoor air that can be sucked into your house and make things worse.
Keep Your Pets Clean
Animals can track dirt and allergens with them from outside. Taking the time to wash and groom your pets often will go a long way in reducing their shedding of dander and hair that add to indoor pollution. Make sure to clean their bedding, as well.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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