Most people today believe that the
outdoor air is to blame for the poor condition of their
indoor air quality. It is indeed true that the
outdoor air can play a role in the air quality in your home, but it is not the sole reason for poor indoor air quality. As a matter of fact, the quality inside your home could be worse than the air you are breathing outside your home. This is because there are more contaminants. Cleaning chemicals, pet dander, cooking odors, cigarette smoke, radon, and dust. These are all common causes for poor indoor air quality.
Just in case you weren’t aware, poor
indoor air quality can significantly affect you and your family’s health. If you live with people that suffer from asthma or respiratory problems, you want t do whatever you can to get these problems rectified as soon as possible. Poor indoor air quality can also have negative impacts on the elderly and young. Probably not something you want to hear, but if the problem is the be rectified, now is the time to face facts. Prolonged exposure to the elements will make matter even all that much worse.
The good news is, there are various preventive measures you can take to reduce your exposure to these contaminants. Want to learn how you can do so by spending a fortune on
indoor air quality products?
Maintain A Clean Home
This one is probably obvious and seems easy, but if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. That being said, a clean home can go a long way to reducing the number of contaminants in the home. It reduces pet dander, dust particles, dust mites, and pollen. Remember to place a heavy focus on the rugs and carpets. Cleaning them with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a good HEPA filter is the best approach. The filter will ensure the contaminants stay in the vacuum and aren’t just pushed back out of the exhaust.
Along with this, you’ll want to tackle vinyl, hardwood, and tile with a mop and clean, soapy water. Microfiber mops are another good option, as they can capture more pollutants and contaminants than traditional fiber mops. If you do have pets that are regularly in the home, you’ll want to keep their coats well-maintained. Grooming them regularly can go a long way to reducing dander.
Also, be sure to focus on drapes, bedding, and other materials that naturally attract dander. Washing these items in 60-degrees water will kill germs and other unwanted bacteria. Elimination of clutter is another great approach. Heck, you can just place a simple floor mat outside your front door and it’ll almost reduce the number of pollutants in the home by double. Regularly dusting throws, cushions, and rugs will help as well. All in all, regular house cleaning is one of the best ways to greatly improve the overall quality of life in your home.
Control That Indoor Humidity
When most people think of their air conditioning system, they simply don’t consider humidity. Well, a big job of your air conditioner is to remove the humidity from the home or space. This is not only important for comfort, but this is important for your health. Humidity promotes the growth of mold and mildew, which you don’t likely need anyone telling you can lead to respiratory conditions. While this is mostly going to be a problem during the summer months, it’ll cause major issues if not properly handled. The idea indoor humidity levels should be right around 30 or 50 percent.
Another great way to reduce the humidity levels in a home or space is by fixing and repairing leaking pipes. If you have any sitting or standing water around the home, you’ll want to deal with it immediately. Keeping your bathroom door closed while taking a hot shower is another good tactic to apply.
Exhaust fans can also contribute to reduced moisture levels. Exhaust fans in the bathroom or kitchen are usually the ideal locations for these devices. These devices are usually installed per code. It’ll just be up to the homeowners to make sure they are running them. Venting your clothes drier to the outside or drying wet clothes in the sun is another good option. Be careful about over-watering houseplants, as this can cause condensation build-up.
Properly And Thorough Ventilation
With proper ventilation comes good airflow. Good airflow drives pollutants out of the home and limits the exposure to your family. This is why it is always recommended to open windows and doors every day or night to drive out stale air while also bringing in fresh air. However, you have to be careful when opening doors and windows, especially if you live in an area with heavy traffic.
Be careful when utilizing chemical-based cleaners. If you must use these items to clean the home, make sure you keep everything well-ventilated while doing so. As was mentioned earlier, if you live in an area with heavy traffic, you’ll want to make sure you choose the most adequate times to open the doors and windows. This will be when traffic is at the lowest.
Consider Some Houseplants
Going back to houseplants, you’d be surprised at what a difference a few little houseplants could make. This is especially true if you choose the right houseplants. This is because they act as natural filters. These items are not only good for improving the overall indoor air quality in a given space, but they add to the aesthetic appeal of the home. Unfortunately, houseplants are like
HVAC contractors. Not of them are created equal. The best species are the ones that won’t promote the growth and development of mold or mildew. Look for species like lilies, spider plants, ferns, and corn plants.
The Right Furniture
Most people don’t think about the effect that furniture pieces are going to have on their living space when shopping. Most people just consider the looks the pieces will have on the space. Unfortunately, this is not the right approach, as most furniture items are constructed with chemical glue. The glue will release toxins when combined with sunlight and other chemicals in the atmosphere. Varnishes and lacquers are also something else to keep an eye out for. These components can be debilitating on asthmatic individuals or those with respiratory problems.
The best thing you can do is, inquire about the manufacturing processes when shopping. Even shopping second-hand might be a good idea, as the chemicals fumes, and toxins will already be distributed.
Consider Your Paint
Just like your furniture and houseplants, the type of paint you use in your home can have major effects on the quality of life in the home. This is because paint emits gases and toxins long after being applied. Whether you are just building your home, renovating a space, or doing some minor painting repairs, you’ll want to consider paints that offer low or zero VOC. A lot of paint manufacturers will list their ingredients on the sides of their products. Avoid anything that contains formaldehyde ammonia, synthetic dyes, or acrylics. You’ll always want to avoid plastic since it can create a barrier that traps air while encouraging the growth of mold.
Avoid Smoking Smoking In The Home
This one might seem obvious as well, but there are still so many people out there not applying this simple concept. It is a well-known fact that cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. What’s even more troubling, these chemicals can remain in the space they are emitted for five hours after application.
You’ll also want to avoid burning incense and candles, as they can produce carbon monoxide and dioxide emissions. There is nothing wrong with burning candles, as long as you go with the beeswax options. These are odorless and a much safer alternative.
Chemical Air Fresheners
Air fresheners are excellent when it comes to masking unwanted smells. They’ll also emit pleasant smells in the home. The only problem is, these pleasant smells that they emit in the home are usually accompanied by chemicals and toxins. Once again, there is nothing wrong with utilizing air fresheners. However, you’ll just want to make sure you are utilizing fragrance-free products. Ones that take advantage of natural substances like lemon.
Another good and safer alternative is to simply slice up a lemon, place it in water, and heat it in the microwave for a few minutes. Lemon juice, hot water, and baking soda are other great options for all-natural air fresheners. Some people throw in their favorite essential oils to help add a little spice.
After Thoughts
Unfortunately, your home is a natural attractor for pollutants like dust, pollen, and harmful particles. All of these items can lower the overall indoor air quality in any space. The best way to maintain healthy conditions in any living space is by applying preventive maintenance techniques. In addition to this, there are tons of quality indoor air products available.
There are tons of
San Diego heating and cooling companies that offer various indoor air quality products. Everything from highly-rated MERV and HEPA filters to
UV lights. Not even application is suitable for your home and family, but working with a certified and trained provider is best to find out what’s most suitable for your family. All you have to do is find the right provider and reach out. Make sure you take the time to do your research because some companies hold themselves and their employees to higher standards than the competition. These are the people you want working for you.
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