Indoor air quality
While it’s easy to get wrapped up in buying throw pillows and blankets to make your home cozier, did you know that the single best thing you can do to turn it into an oasis is to improve your indoor air quality? According to the EPA, people spend about 90% of their time inside.
Over the past few decades, the concentration of pollutants has risen. Buildings are more energy-efficient and better sealed than they were previously, which prevents fresh air from freely entering homes. Synthetic building materials, furniture, personal care products, and household cleaners also contribute to the rise of less than ideal indoor conditions.
This unhealthy air can cause ear, nose, and throat irritation. If you have allergies or symptoms that only appear in your home or worsen while there, you definitely want to look more closely into your air quality. For all of us, there are a few simple and often free steps we can take to make our homes healthier. And the good news is that if you’ve been following along with the 5 Minute Friday tasks then you’re already doing many of these on autopilot!
Let’s put together your indoor air quality improvement plan. Because we want the only homeownership-related thing to take your breath away is the cost of cute throw pillows.
AIR IT OUT
The concentration of pollutants indoors can be two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. One of the easiest ways to freshen the air in your home is to open your windows as much as possible. Before doing so it’s a great idea to check out your window screens to make sure that they’re in good shape and clean so you’ll get the most benefit from windows open time and keep pests out.
Your bathroom fans are a great tool in improving your air quality and can be used more often than just while taking a steamy shower. Turn them on when using harsh cleaning chemicals in your bathroom to dissipate the effects as quickly as possible. You can also run your bathroom fans more often to pull out the stale air from your home and introduce fresh air. Here’s how to make sure that your bathroom fan is running efficiently.
One other free and incredibly easy way to improve your indoor air quality is to use your kitchen vent while cooking, especially if you have a gas stove. It releases carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into your home. Electric burners also produce these pollutants at lower levels. Here’s how to clean your hood.
NO FILTER
Your long-winded Uncle isn’t the only thing blowing hot air in your home, your HVAC does too. While we can’t help much with the family situation, one of the quickest ways to improve air quality in your home is to change your HVAC filter regularly and to invest in the best one designed for your home that you can afford. A less dusty home and fewer sneezes are just two of the obvious benefits of completing this task.
Have you recently changed your filter but it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your air ducts? Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in them and impact air quality. This can lead you to get sick more often or flare up your allergies. It’s a great idea to have your air ducts cleaned regularly.
While we’re at it, don’t forget about the filters in your household appliances, especially your vacuum cleaner. If you have an older model, it may make sense to invest in a newer one with a HEPA filter. Your clothes dryer also has a filter that needs to be cleaned regularly too for safety reasons but also to ensure your clothes dry completely to prevent mildew.
CLEAN START
One easy way to keep the air fresh in your home and keep your floors clean is to remove your shoes at the door and wear socks or slippers around the house instead. This can help you track less dust, soil, and germs from the outside.
Carpets and rugs act as a filter in their own way, trapping in dirt and dust. Vacuum them at least weekly, more if you have pets or an especially dusty home. A professional cleaning of carpets at least once a year will ensure your carpets are their freshest.
Regularly cleaning your bedding, drapes, and pillows in hot water will keep dust and dander at bay. Consider adding dust mite-proof covers on your pillows, mattresses, and box springs.
Limit scented items in your home to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can be hazardous to your health and cause irritation. Many cleaning products, scented candles, air fresheners, and diffusers contain VOCs that contribute to poor air quality.
For those chemicals that you must keep on hand — like cleaning supplies and paint — move them out of your home and into your garage or laundry area to reduce your family’s exposure.
WHAT ABOUT RADON?
Radon is a major source of concern in homes because it is a known source of lung cancer. This radioactive gas is especially scary because you cannot smell, taste, or see it.
You likely had your house tested before purchase, but if it’s been more than two years since you’ve tested, completed a major home renovation, or are spending more time in your basement, it might be time for a radon retest.
MAKE A CLEAN AIR PLAN
A healthy home is not something to sneeze at. By picking one or two simple steps to take today, you’re on your way to better health and a more comfortable house.
Take a minute to make your plan and add your to-do list to your maintenance calendar so you’ll get helpful reminders when it’s time to complete these tasks.
Have major issues or don’t have the time to look into it? We can help!