How to Improve Indoor Air Quality?

While individuals cannot do much to control outdoor air quality due to smog and industry pollution, they can at least control their indoor environment. 

Poor air quality imposes an array of health risks on household residents, such as nasal congestion, itchy eyes, headaches, skin issues, etc. Indoor pollution is caused by multiple factors, including allergens, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, poor ventilation, excess moisture, radon gas, lead paint, asbestos, and others.

Every homeowner can invest their best efforts to reduce indoor pollution by following this list of handy tips.

Open the windows

The most obvious and cost-effective tip for improving indoor air quality is to open your windows as frequently as you can. It’s the most effective method to keep the airflow in your home fresh. Although opening your windows during winter might not seem like a reasonable idea, it’s still essential for allowing oxygen inside and expelling carbon dioxide. This article explains how to create airflow in a room.

By opening the windows in your household on a daily basis, you will reduce humidity levels as well, which minimizes the chances of dust mites surviving. Rooms need to be properly ventilated when using chemicals for cleaning purposes. Make sure to open the windows in your rooms at least once daily for fifteen to twenty minutes, preferably in the morning or at night. 

Purchase an air purifier

Another helpful tip for improving indoor air quality is investing in an air-purifying unit. These machines are designed to trap and eliminate almost all pollutants by sucking dirty air in, filtering it, and returning it back into the room, fresher and cleaner. Such purifiers are especially helpful in the course of the hay fever season between May and July. 

Most models come equipped with a LED display, which flashes green when indoor air quality is optimal. Some purifiers even release negative ions to aid the process of neutralizing airborne bacteria and viruses. When purchasing such a machine for your home, make sure it has a high clean air delivery rate. The higher the rate, the greater the speed of this unit while performing the filtration process. 

If your budget isn’t too low, you should consider investing in a purifier with a fan. Otherwise, you will have to move the unit around in larger rooms. According to most doctors, reducing the number of allergens indoors is helpful in reducing asthma attacks and relieving allergy symptoms. The removal of airborne particles like pollen and pet dander is useful in controlling asthma attacks and allergies. 

Check the ductwork

Another useful tip for improving indoor air quality is checking the condition of your ductwork. There are various air duct cleaning service providers, like Steamatic INC Fort Worth TX, committed to making your home a safer and cleaner place. Ducts are in charge of the distribution of cold and hot air throughout the house. Nevertheless, homeowners are expected to check their condition regularly to ensure airflow is optimal. 

Unless ducts are installed correctly or maintained regularly, they can distribute contaminants across rooms. As time goes by, dander, dust, and mold are likely to accumulate in your ductwork, thus reducing the overall quality of air in your home. If they are unclean, you should hire professionals to make sure they circulate clean and fresh air. 

Dust regularly

Dusting regularly is another way of keeping indoor air quality optimal. Make sure you use a high-quality vacuum cleaner to get rid of pollen, dust, and pet hair. While vacuuming, remember to cover the area underneath beds and sofas. Rugs and carpets have to be cleaned regularly, as they trap dust and other particles. 

In addition, bedding should be changed on a weekly basis and washed at sixty degrees to eliminate germs and dust mites. Make sure to keep surfaces as clutter-free as possible to make it easier for frequent dusting. Use a damp rag to ensure all particles are trapped. 

Change AC and other filters

In order to keep indoor air quality levels within the optimal range, homeowners are strongly advised to change their AC and other filters habitually. For instance, when AC units cycle through the air, they filter out some of the most frequent pollutants. After a certain period, the filters of these units fill up and fail to work properly. 

Clogged filters not only reduce and affect airflow, but they wear down your air-conditioning system. As a homeowner, your responsibility is to change your AC filters yourself or hire technicians to perform this task according to an AC service plan. There are other filters to replace as well, such as those of your clothes dryer and vacuum cleaner. These should be cleaned or entirely replaced every couple of months. 

Keep control of humidity

Another handy tip for improving your indoor air quality is to keep control of humidity. Humid conditions help mildew and mold thrive, which make respiratory issues worse. During the summer months, humidity levels are incredibly high in some regions. If dwelling in an area where summers are scorching, you could reduce humidity levels by investing in a dehumidifier. As a result, you will live in a healthier and more comfortable environment. 

Use non-toxic paint

If planning to repaint your house/apartment soon, you should use non-toxic paint that’s low in VOC. Non-toxic paints aren’t supposed to contain plastic, petrochemicals, and synthetic dyes. Oil-based paints should be replaced with water-based colorants. Water-based paints are helpful in reducing mildew and condensation. 

Decorate your home with house plants

House plants are believed to have numerous air-purifying benefits, as they are claimed to soak up indoor pollutants. Spider plants, peace lilies, and ferns are among the best choices for removing carbon monoxide from the atmosphere. They will enhance your décor and improve your air quality at the same time. 

To sum up

Some of the above-mentioned tips don’t even require having a budget. In general, most tips are budget-friendly and highly effective. 

Wait no longer! Start by adopting some of these habits even today!