Poor indoor air quality can cause several health issues. Failure to clean indoor air may result in coughing, dizziness, and other severe illnesses like asthma and lung disease. Don’t disregard the importance of breathing quality indoor air. So here are five tips to help you clean the air inside your home.
Replace Air Filters
If you’re like several homeowners, you may not know that your home has air filters. Think of these components as “nets” that protect the indoors from pollutants like dust, dirt, and harmful bacteria.
But the filters can become dirty or acquire wear and tear over time. Faulty filters can result in small particles to enter your home and become airborne. The continuous inhalation of these harmful substances can result in health complications. Alternatively you may consider NuWave OxyPure Smart Air Purifier to have fresh air inside your home.
Thus, it’s best to clean or replace your air filters, particularly the one in your furnace. But you might ask yourself, “how to install a furnace filter?” Contrary to what other people might think, installing a furnace filter shouldn’t take extended periods to accomplish.
First, determine the size of the filter you need. Measure the dimensions of your old filter before purchasing a new unit. Then, buy the replacement model and replace the existing filter with the new one.
You should see marks on your furnace to tell you which side the filter should face. Put the cover on it, and you should be good to go.
Don’t ignore changing the filters. Otherwise, you put yourself and other household members at risk of health issues.
Don’t Smoke Indoors
Smoking can help people relax, albeit temporarily. If you like to smoke (for relaxation or otherwise), ensure to do it outside your home. Otherwise, you increase the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation indoors.
CO from cigarette or cigar smoke can cause issues like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Note that indoor air may already have CO, even if no one smokes in your household. Nonetheless, increased concentrations of this compound will heighten the risk of the health complications mentioned above.
Clean the air inside your home by smoking outside. If you want to breathe clean air in and outside your abode, consider reducing or stopping the habit entirely. Your body will thank you for the gesture by giving you additional benefits, such as improved energy and reduced risks of lung disease.
Use Indoor Plants
Seeing green may deliver relaxing sensations to people. Using your green thumb to decorate different areas in your home won’t help you relax, but adding plants can improve indoor air quality.
Houseplants tend to be natural air purifiers, if you’re using organic florae and not plastic ones. Place plants in different areas in the property to gain maximum efficiency from their air purifications properties.
Some houseplants to consider are:
- Devil’s Ivy
- Peace Lily
- Spider Plant
- Chrysanthemums
- Boston Fern
Note that these houseplants have unique air-cleaning characteristics. For example, Devil’s Ivy can help combat common airborne household toxins, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene. Also, chrysanthemum or mums can prevent and eliminate additional toxins like ammonia.
Ditch the Carpet
You might think that your home isn’t complete without its wall-to-wall carpet. But this flooring can introduce various Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and harmful chemicals without your knowledge.
Some carpet materials can release compounds like formaldehyde, which can cause issues like shortness of breath, chest pain, and nose and throat irritation. Although carpets tend to release VOCs at slow rates, this continuous process puts household members at risk of acquiring health concerns.
If you don’t want to live in a home with a bare floor, consider replacing your carpet once every few years. Otherwise, think about other flooring options instead.
Open the Windows
Improving indoor air quality can be as easy as opening the windows. Keeping the windows closed 24/7 will circulate airborne particles around the house, including harmful substances like CO and xylene. Ensure that these compounds don’t flow in your home for extended periods by opening the windows.
Some homes might have poorer indoor air than the air outdoors. Consider opening your windows for a few hours (at least) per day to help remove toxins from the premises.
Still, this tip may only work for homes located in relatively clean areas. If your dwelling is near busy streets, opening the windows might bring more polluted air into your home.
Conclusion
Always put importance on breathing quality indoor air. Don’t forget to replace dirty air filters, use houseplants, and open the windows (if possible) to help clean the air in your home. Start taking the correct measures today to begin reducing the dangers of breathing polluted indoor air.
