It is not such a pleasant feeling when your home is polluted, not only that it can be dangerous to your health. However, some air pollution is normal and unavoidable, but it only becomes a problem when it isn’t taken seriously, and you allow it to build up. You can experience dry throat, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or itchy or runny nose with polluted air. Avoid these symptoms by following the tips I’ve provided below.
Open Those Windows
This may sound obvious but keeping your airflow fresh is one of the easiest things you can do to clean polluted air. It is also the cheapest way to improve your home’s air quality. Opening your windows once in a while during the winter season may sound wrong because you want to save energy and keep the heat in.
However, it will be an excellent habit to acquire so that you can let oxygen in and the nasties out of your home. It is also great to reduce the humidity that dust mites need to survive. You do need to be careful to keep rooms ventilated when using chemical-heavy cleaning or decorating products.
Air Purifier Is The Answer
You can’t see dust and pollen particles since they can be microscopic, which can be pretty hard to clean. So, an air purifier can trap and remove almost 100 percent of pollutants by taking out dirty air, cleaning it, and releasing it back out into a certain room. With this said, the air would be much cleaner and fresher.
Air purifiers are proven to be helpful during the peak hay fever season, which is from May to July. Most air purifiers have an LED display where it flashes green when the surrounding air is clean.
The best overall air purifier that you can buy is Blueair 211+ because it can remove various particles, that includes dust and smoke, from the air. It has a three-part filtration system, such as one each for fabric, particles, and carbon particles. Blueair is known to clear up 99 percent of common airborne pollutants.
It can cover up to 540 square feet, which is an ideal size for a family room, master bedroom, or a large office. Also, it runs quietly, and you can barely notice it working in a room. When buying the machine, you will get washable fabric pre-filters in different colors, diva blue, and dark shadow. All you need to do is leave the mesh filter housing exposed for a Scandinavian look.
It has low energy consumption with 30 to 61 watts and is really good at removing odors. The Blueair 211+ may be a bit expensive, but it is an excellent investment for a more healthy and cleaner home.
Dusting is the Key to Fresh Air
Buying quality vacuum cleaners can get expensive, but they are great equipment against dust, pollen, and pet hair. All of these factors can easily build up in your home and can irritate your respiratory system. Make sure to regularly vacuum as you can, and ensure to include underneath sofas and beds.
When it comes to your cushions and rugs, make sure to bash them on your outside walls to remove as much dust that they are holding. Changing your beddings weekly and washing them at 130-140 degrees can kill dust mites and germs. Keeping surfaces clutter-free by using a damp cloth will ensure that those pesky particles will be gone.
Get Rid of Chemicals in Your Home
Keeping your home clean is a good thing. Using bleach and other products in your cleaning cupboard shouldn’t be toxic to breathe in. There’s no need to use toxic ingredients to clean grease and grime. All you need are some eco-friendly cleaning products, and they work as well as any other chemicals you use.
Make sure to look for products that contain food-grade ingredients like coconut oil and fragrance-free or scented with aromatherapy oils. With the right products to use at home, you can ensure that you will have cleaner air.
No Smoking Rule
Leave the smoking outside and make sure that your home is smoke-free. Smoking in enclosed spaces will not only pollute the air but is also dangerous to the people who live in your home. Second-hand smoking is a big factor that your family needs to deal with when you smoke inside your home.
Also, the incense sticks, candles, or anything else that you burn for recreational purposes can emit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the room’s air. Remember that incense is more damaging than any other candles out there, emitting over 100 times the number of fine particles.
If you are into using candles in your home, make sure to use natural waxes such as beeswax and soy.
Choose the Right Paint
Use non-toxic paints that do not giveaway fresh paint smell and those that are low in VOCs. Make sure to check the label when buying paints since brands claim to be non-toxic, but it turns out they are. Avoid petrochemicals derived from acrylics, formaldehyde, ammonia, and oil.
The Benjamin Moore Aura has zero VOCs, low odor, and mildew resistant properties. The formula is easy to apply, and it has a low odor, which means you will have no trouble breathing during and after a paint job. With this said, this is the best paint to use for your home.
Remove Those Wood Burning Stove
Now, if you have a wood-burning stove, it exposes your family to more air pollutants than standing in traffic during rush hour. Wood burners, especially the old models, emit smoke that can damage lung tissues and can produce long-term breathing problems.
However, if you can’t bring yourself to get read of that beautiful wood burning stove, make sure to bust open those windows as often as possible. This way, you can get the fresh air you want in your home and not get stuck with air pollutants.
A Houseplant Is A Great Help
Houseplants really help the home feel fresher and cleaner. Some plants provide air-purifying benefits that have been widely documented. Now, you don’t need to turn your home into a jungle to impact your air quality. Choose houseplants that soak up pollutants will slowly add an impact to your fresher home.
One plant that you can place in your home is the Devil’s Ivy. They are also known as pothos or golden pothos. It fights off common household toxins and adds instant color to any room. A Dwarf Date Palm is also another plant that you can consider a place in your home. They are easy to maintain and can grow up to ten feet with their fronds reaching six feet.
Putting indoor plants in some parts of your home will help you get cleaner air. Not only that, but you can also feel refreshed and will make your home look prettier and better.
Healthy Humidity
Dust mites and mold really love moisture, which is why making sure that you have healthy humidity in your home is essential. Make sure to keep the humidity in your home from 30 to 50 percent to help keep the dust mites, molds, and other allergens under control. A dehumidifier helps reduce moisture in indoor air, especially during the summer when running an air conditioner
There are other things that you can do to dehumidify your home. Make sure to use the exhaust fan or crack open a window when you are cooking, running the dishwasher, or when bathing. Also, do not overwater houseplants, if you have any.
Make sure to vent the clothes dryer to the outside and fix any leaky plumbing to prevent those moisture-loving molds. Emptying drip pans in your window air conditioner and dehumidifier is also a great habit to have so that you can have cleaner air in your home.
Keep Floors Clean
Lastly, keeping your floors clean is a great way to keep the air in your home free from any pollutants. Chemicals and allergens can accumulate in the household dust for years or even decades. Use a vacuum to clean the floors because it has strong suction and rotating brushes that ensure dust and dirt won’t get blown back on the floor.
Mopping is another way to keep your floors clean because it picks up the dust that vacuuming leaves behind. Skip the soaps, cleaner, and just use plain water to capture any lingering dust or allergens. You can also use microfiber mops or dust cloths to capture more dust and dirt than the traditional fibers. It also doesn’t require any cleaning solutions.
Putting a large floor mat at every door can help keep out any dirt on people’s shoes. A doormat helps reduce the amount of dirt, pesticides, and other pollutants from entering your home. When the mat is not big enough, and those who don’t wipe their shoes before entering a room can leave most contaminants in the mat and not on the floors.
Following the steps above will make sure that your home is safe and clean. You don’t need to worry about any symptoms such as cough and trouble breathing in your own home.