What’s the one thing you do, regardless of where you are? Breathing. Take a deep breath of a cool summer breeze, a crisp autumn morning, or even the wonderful, delicious aromas of your favorite Italian restaurant. When you breathe in, your nose is detecting every smell in a space- but your body is often absorbing air pollutants you might not even be able to smell. While you might be able to recognize some with a quick whiff, others might be flying under the radar. Poor indoor air quality can make you feel unwell, and could even contribute to getting you or your family sick. It’s time you turned your home into a space where you can breathe easy and relax! You’ll be happy that you did, and healthier too!
- Start with places where you might be able to smell something wrong in a space. Your home’s drains are a common source for unwanted odors and pollutants. Make sure the sinks, showers, tubs and even your washing machine are all cleaned regularly.
- Make sure your furnace and AC filters are changed and cleaned regularly. These are common spots for dust buildup. Also check your air outlets: you can remove metal grating and give them a deep clean to make sure you’ve beaten dust for good.
- Bathroom ventilation systems not only help remove odor, but they also help cut down on moisture. About 50% of air pollutants originate from moisture, so make sure to avoid it!
- Check under sinks, in bathrooms, utility rooms, and garages for signs of mold and mildew. Fix leaks and other areas where water has intruded, and be sure to clean up those pollutants properly.
- Regularly vacuum and clean carpets, rugs, and even doormats. Dust, dirt, and other debris will settle on these surfaces, even in rooms without much foot traffic.
- Certain houseplants can help purify your air naturally.
- Not much of a green thumb? Opening a screened window for even just a few minutes a day can help improve air quality in a home.
Keeping your home’s air clean and fresh is about more than just making it smell nice: good air quality will make your home a healthier and more relaxing place to live in. These are just a few ways you can improve your home’s air quality, but even a few small changes can really go a long way in helping. Breathe better knowing that your home is full of high quality air, free of pollutants.
