Do you have trouble breathing normally when you first wake up? Has your doctor told you that you have allergies or other respiratory issues? If so, your home’s air quality might be part of the problem.
We rarely think about what we’re breathing in our own house. But it’s as common to find pollutants indoors as it is outside.
The difference is that you can control the air quality in your home environment better than you can change what you breathe outdoors. These nine methods are simple ways to improve your indoor air quality, helping you better your overall health.
Quick and Easy Ways to Boost Air Quality Inside
Try these tips to clean up the air in your home:
1. Change your air filter. Air filters should be changed regularly, no matter what kind you have. Over the weeks, they collect all the dust and pollutants floating around that you don’t see. When your air conditioner is running, it goes through the filter. A clean filter produces cleaner air. A clogged filter frequently makes it harder for your HVAC unit to work properly, and the air you breathe isn’t as fresh.
2. Don’t smoke in the house. Smoke gets into the fabric and walls of your home, even if you don’t notice it. You’re breathing this polluted air whether you’re smoking or not. Toxins in tobacco smoke can be deadly.
3. Let some fresh air in. When the weather is nice, open the windows and doors and let the fresh air clear out some of the pollutants. It’s better for your health and your energy bill.
4. Keep your home clean. Dust settles on every surface, no matter how clean you keep it. The problem of unclean air happens when you don’t get rid of the dust, and it continues to pile up. Layers of dust and debris are picked up and spread into the air you breathe.
5. Watch your humidity levels. Too much or too little humidity is dangerous for your health. Not enough humidity causes respiratory problems from dry skin and lungs.
But mold and mildew like to grow in moist, dark areas. If you have too much humidity, you probably have bacteria hiding somewhere. Talk to your air conditioning company to see if they can inspect your home and your HVAC unit to get your humidity levels where they should be.
6. Avoid artificially scented fragrances. We all love having our homes smell amazing. Artificial candles, waxes, and wall plug-ins are everywhere! However, these scented goodies can increase the pollutants in your air.
7. Bring in some plants. Scientists continue to study the effects of plants on air quality, but we already know one thing for sure. When you have a few plants in your home, the quality of the air increases significantly. Plants produce fresh oxygen and clean out any air pollutants.
8. Use your exhaust fans. Your kitchen stove has an exhaust fan for a reason. When you’re cooking, it creates particles and gases. The fan draws them out of the air and sucks them outside. Every time you cook on the stove or oven, use the fan.
9. Use your windows, too. When you cook, take a hot shower, or use a heater, crack a window open. It doesn’t have to be too wide. The little opening helps pollutants leave your home and spread out into the air, where they’ll be less harmful.
Getting your home as pollutant-free as possible can improve the overall health of everyone who lives there. These nine tips are simple, inexpensive, and beneficial. Use one or all of them. You’ll be glad you did!
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