When most people think of air pollution, it’s not uncommon to picture a bustling city coated in a hazy layer of smog. However, did you know that the air inside your home or office building is just as likely to be polluted? Sadly, it’s the truth. Indoor air quality is often affected by factors like dust and dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Plus, chemicals from some cleaning supplies, paint and even formaldehyde can pollute the air inside.
Those with allergies or asthma are especially affected when the air inside is of poor quality. But, others can also be at risk over time, as indoor pollutants can pose many different health risks after being exposed to it repeatedly.
5 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Taking steps to improve the air quality in your home is important, especially as we tend to spend a great deal of time inside these days. Here are a few easy steps to take to ensure the air you and your family breathe is as clean as can be:
Open the windows. Opening the windows on a daily basis allows some of that bad stuff to escape outside; it helps lower concentrations of any toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide. Even just opening the windows for five minutes at a time can help. It’s especially important to crack a window when you bring home new furniture, paint the walls, or deep clean the home.
Keep the floors clean. Sweeping or vacuuming on a weekly basis helps eliminate dirt, dust and debris that may be getting tracked inside and polluting the air. Use a vacuum with a special HEPA filter to ensure what you’re picking up isn’t getting blown right back out into the air. Also, mop the floors after vacuuming or sweeping to pick up any dust that may have gotten left behind.
Watch home humidity levels. Keeping humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent helps eliminate the growth of mold and keeps dust mites at bay. On muggy days, use a dehumidifier to reduce some of the moisture in the air, and also make sure there are no water leaks anywhere in the home.
Read the labels on cleaning supplies. Many of the products we use regularly may have elements that can affect indoor air quality and our health. Chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can get released into the air and cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Choose products that have reduced amounts of VOCs, irritants, and fragrances.
Improve ventilation. Increase the amount of outdoor air coming inside. This can be achieved by using bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors to remove any contaminants from the room, plus increase the outdoor ventilation rate.
Have more questions about improving the indoor air quality of your home? We’re here to help! Contact our team of professionals today! If you’re in the Cleveland area, give us a call at 216-663-6462.