The more we learn about the air we breathe every day, the more we realize how important it is to keep it clean. Carbon monoxide, dust, asbestos, smoke, and other toxins get into the air that we inhale, especially indoors where the atmosphere is confined to a closed space. Here are some tips on how to improve indoor air quality naturally.
Sweep and Dust
It’s important to sweep and dust your home regularly. If these chores are left unattended, dust and other toxins can wind up in the air. Be sure to sweep, vacuum and dust the entire house, especially the dark corners. You should do this at least once a week. Even rooms with little to no activity will accumulate dirt, so don’t skip them.
No Smoking Inside
Smoking is a bad habit that damages your lungs and heart as well as your skin. To add to the negative consequences, cigarette smoke also puts toxins into the air. If one person in a home smokes inside, it means that everybody else in the house will inhale it in the form of second-hand smoke. Even if someone doesn’t smoke around others, the smoke will remain in the air throughout the house. If someone does smoke, they should do so outside. Other people shouldn’t have to deal with the lingering smell and the chemicals in the air. It will also be better for the smoker’s health because they might smoke less if they have to go outdoors every time.
Clean or Replace Air Filters
Your HVAC unit requires some simple maintenance. One of the first things you can do yourself is clean or replace the air filter of your HVAC unit. If your filter is the type that can be cleaned, all you have to do is pull it out and remove the dust and lint. Otherwise, change out a disposable filter. During heavy use, you may have to clean or replace the filter more often. If you don’t do this, the dust can build up and get blown into the air, which will make the air quality even worse. You should also get annual maintenance by a professional to keep your unit running efficiently. The team from Air Care Heating & Cooling in Shawnee can assist you with this task.
Allow Fresh Air Inside
The air outside is usually cleaner than the air inside. It has far more space to allow the toxins to spread out. They dissipate to such a low level that they aren’t even detectable. Let this clean air into your home on nice days by opening the windows. This will freshen up the air quality in your house. Just make sure you have proper screens that will prevent bugs from getting inside.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Cleaning products tend to use chemicals to make them effective. These chemicals aren’t healthy for people to inhale; however, people often breathe the chemicals in when they are using the products. It’s better to opt for eco-friendly cleaning products made from natural ingredients such as plants. The eco-friendly cleaning industry has ballooned in the last decade, and it presents more and more options. Plus, most brands are just as affordable as similar competitors that don’t use natural ingredients.
Buy Houseplants
Houseplants absorb volatile organic compounds and emit oxygen. It can be useful to get houseplants for the areas of your home with the most traffic. Make sure to keep them healthy to achieve the greatest effect. Some of the best houseplants for this purpose include:
- Bamboo palm
- Gerbera daisy
- Spider plant
- English ivy
- Dracaena
Purchase an Air Purifier
An air purifier is a device specifically designed to clean the air around it. A free-standing type will effectively clean the air in a fairly large area. You may want to place one in the room where you sleep at night or where you entertain guests. A whole-house air purifier usually needs to be built into the HVAC system.
Air quality is important to the health of you and the other people in your home. You’ll want your family and friends to have safe, clean air to breathe. Try these natural methods to improve the quality of your home’s indoor air. Natural methods can help keep your residence both green and healthy.
If you have further questions about indoor air quality or you require professional assistance, rely on Air Care Heating & Cooling in Shawnee. We’re always happy to help. Besides IAQ solutions, we deliver a full range of heating and cooling installation, maintenance, and repair options throughout the Greater Kansas City area. We’ll even help with your water heater. Call us today.
