If you are worried about the air quality in your home, you have a good reason to be. Some people believe that their home’s air is cleaner than the air outdoors, but this is usually not the case.
When your home’s doors and windows are closed, pollutants become trapped and circulate throughout your home. Cooking, mold, dust, and chemicals are sources of pollution that are generated indoors. Learn about the dangers of poor home indoor air quality and what you can do about it.
The Dangers of Poor Home Indoor Air Quality
When you and your loved ones regularly breathe polluted air, you may suffer from respiratory conditions. This can be something as simple as allergies, however, some pollutants cause more serious problems. For example, radon in the home is known to cause lung cancer. The good news is there are simple steps that you can take to improve your house’s air quality.
1. Use Ventilation Fans
Most homes have at least a few ventilation fans but they may not be used as often as they should, like the ventilation fan over the range in the kitchen. Its purpose is to remove smoke and other pollutants that are generated from cooking.
When you fail to use this fan, these pollutants can build up in the home. Likewise, bathroom and laundry room fans remove humidity that could otherwise lead to mold growth. They should be used regularly as well.
2. Choose the Right Cleaning Products
Frequent house cleaning is a great way to remove pollutants that may accumulate on the floors, counters, furniture, and other surfaces, but be aware that some cleaning products can harm air quality. Noxious fumes from these cleaning products accumulate in the air contribute to poor air quality.
Environmentally-friendly products and homemade cleaners made with natural ingredients often have little or no impact on air quality and are just as effective at cleaning your home.
3. Select a Quality Air Purifier
Even when you take these steps to promote healthier home indoor air quality, pollution can still be a problem. Using an air purifier is a convenient and effective way to capture and remove pollutants that may cause health problems. The quality and power of these devices vary, so conduct thorough research before deciding which purifier to use.
4. Bring In Some Houseplants
In a NASA study, it was discovered that certain houseplants remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. Introduce some inexpensive and easy to care for houseplants like spider plants and Boston ferns to your home. Just make sure not to overwater these plants because that can cause mold growth, which is counterproductive to improving home indoor air quality.
While home indoor air quality is a serious concern, it is easy to address. To keep your home’s air safe and healthy to breathe, follow these important tips to promote cleaner indoor air and a safer environment for your family.
Reveal360 Home Inspections provides home inspection services to Northern Colorado. Contact us to book an appointment.