The EPA have estimated that indoor air can be much more polluted than the air outside your home. This will probably be quite alarming to many, especially those with families in their homes! Many people imagine that the air outside must be more polluted; after all, when we picture pollution, we tend to picture the emissions from cars and factories creating smog in the air that makes the silhouettes of cities look like they’re lost in some kind of mist.
But the air in your home, being more concentrated and having much less air circulation, is a lot more likely to be more harmful to your health. Thankfully, because your home is your domain, tackling the issue is a lot simpler than tackling the issue of outdoor smog and airborne chemicals!
For the protection of yourself and your family, you need to ensure that the problem is resolved. Low indoor air quality can affect your lungs and throat, exacerbating allergies and breathing problems, and perhaps leading to illness in the long-term. Here’s a quick guide to the considerations you need to make in order to improve your indoor air quality!
Air conditioning
Though many people assume that it causes problems, air conditioning in itself can actually be really good for your air quality; it helps with circulation and can even help get rid of the toxins in your air. The key is to make sure that your air conditioning unit is well-maintained, working at full capacity, and kept clean. If you allow it to get dusty or contaminated in any way, it can make things worse. Make sure you keep the filter clean! If you suspect that your unit isn’t working quite as efficiently as it should be, then get it inspected and fixed, or consider buying a new one entirely - one that has a focus on maintaining air quality.
Carpets
Why do we vacuum our carpets so often? Simple: we’re aware that carpets can absorb crazy amounts of dirt, dust, bacteria, and other unsavory items. But vacuuming doesn’t actually do as much as you may think; it’s really best to give it a thorough wash at least once a month. However, if you’re renovating or looking for a new home, here’s a different piece of advice: avoid carpets completely. Most of them contain formaldehyde (as do many types of furniture), and even the ones that don’t still need alarming amounts on maintenance to keep clean.
Cleaning and beauty products
The vast majority of cleaning and beauty products available at your average supermarket - bleaches, antiperspirants, hairsprays, pesticides, kitchen cleaners, air fresheners, etc etc - are filled with toxic solvents. While you may think that using these will help keep your home clean and, thus, your indoor air quality high, they actually tend to do the precise opposite. The worst thing about it all? All those chemicals are barely needed. Seriously, the vast majority of cleaning jobs can be performed just as well with baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice! Check the labels of all such products before buying, and go organic or natural wherever you can.
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