Now that almost everyone is spending more time indoors, it’s high time we take a closer look at the air quality inside our homes. Otherwise, we may be putting our and our loved ones’ health at risk. Aside from allergies and other respiratory problems, exposure to these pollutants could lead to headaches, heart disease, and even cancer.Â
Indoor air pollution can come from various things like smoke, dust, pollen, fumes from appliances, pet dander, lead, volatile chemicals from fragrances in conventional cleaners, mold, bacteria, and viruses. Some pollutants can be found in mattresses or furniture, or from the coat of paint on the walls.
The good news is that there are easy and affordable ways to get rid of many of the aforementioned pollutants. Here are ten of them:
Increase ventilation in the home
This is particularly helpful if the air outdoors is relatively clean. Otherwise, gas emissions and industrial pollution will just add to the problem. Open windows and doors then turn the fans on to circulate the air.
Clean your air filters regularly
Change the aircon filters regularly (every 3 months) and let professional cleaners do the job on schedule (twice a year).
Don’t allow smoking indoors.
Use exhaust fans in the kitchen (when cooking) and in bathrooms.
Clean your floors and furniture
Allergens can accumulate in areas that are hard to reach so use a vacuum to clean not just floors and furniture, but also walls and carpets. Do it twice a week and wash the filters each time. Mop the floors after doing all the vacuuming tasks.
Leave shoes at the door
It’s best to have residents use indoor slippers and have guests use guest slippers whenever possible.
Use a dehumidifier
By doing so, you won’t just be minimizing moisture and avoiding dust mites, mildew and mold, you will also be reducing pollen count.
Don’t use synthetic cleaners and fragrances like commercial laundry products and air fresheners because they emit dozens of chemicals into the air.
Instead, you can use fragrance-free or naturally-scented products and mild cleaners. Sliced lemons and baking soda can also do a great job in the kitchen.
Bring in those plants
It doesn’t only clean the air, it also adds beauty into any room. There are certain indoor plants that are great for purifying the air, like snake plants, peace lily, spider plants, lady palms, cornstalk plants, among others. Just be careful that you don’t have poisonous plants that children or pets may accidentally ingest.
Clean the home regularly
Wipe down and disinfect countertops, doorknobs, and other frequently touched surfaces every day. Vacuum, sweep, and mop once or twice a week. Air out beddings every day and change them, including curtains, regularly.
Wash your mats and rags and dry them in the sun. It’s also a good idea to give mattresses and pillows a sunbath every now and then.