Since the average American spends about 90% of their time indoors, improving the quality of air within homes, schools and offices should be a top priority. When you clean your home, you may focus on vigilantly scrubbing dirt from surfaces without considering the number of germs floating through the air. Indoor air quality plays a role in protecting your family against allergies, respiratory disease and other illnesses. There are a number of technological advances and natural resources available to help you improve indoor air quality without damaging your budget. Maintain And Upgrade Your HVAC System Your home’s HVAC system may be a source of dust and air pollution within your home. Making sure filters are cleaned and periodically replaced helps your system work more efficiently and last longer. To clean the filter on an air conditioning unit, first remove it, vacuum any visible dust or debris, submerge it soapy water, allow it to dry and then replace it. Many modern HVAC systems also include a UV light, which is a low-cost addition that helps kill bacteria before it circulates throughout your home. Improving ventilation also helps mitigate the accumulation of dust and mold. Installing exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom can cost less than a hundred dollars. An exhaust fan will help prevent greasy buildup on cabinets and damage to tiles, as well as keeping the air cleaner. Make Your Own Cleaning Products By using natural household ingredients to make your own cleaning products, you’ll see savings quickly add up and help reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds within your home. VOCs are associated with a number of health problems, including cancer, endocrine disorders and respiratory problems. Items you likely already have in your kitchen, like baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar, can be just as effective, safer and much less expensive than store-bought cleaning products. Baking soda neutralizes odors, cuts through grease, and helps lift stains from clothing. Vinegar’s high acidity makes it tough on mold and bacteria as it cleans surfaces in your kitchen, bathroom and throughout your home. Unlike many consumer cleaning products, these natural ingredients do not emit hazardous gases, making them a better choice for your home and for the earth. Plants Help Purify The Air Keeping a houseplant can be a fun hobby and an affordable way to keep the air in your home cleaner. Plants help remove contaminants from the air through a process called phytoremediation. The leaves and roots of certain plants absorb harmful gases, which are then neutralized by microorganisms living in the soil. Plants can also indirectly improve air quality indoors by encouraging you to let in more sunlight, as studies show that letting in natural sunlight can help kill the bacteria floating around in dust particles throughout your house. By taking advantage of widely available, affordable technological advances, such as air filters and air purifiers, you can breathe easier, knowing your home is free of germs. Modifying your cleaning routine to incorporate the use of more natural products, and introducing other natural elements, such as plants and sunlight, can also make the air in your home cleaner. Improving indoor air quality does not have to be expensive, and is crucial for your family’s health and well-being. |
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