Your indoor air quality is an essential part of living in a healthy home, as it comes with many benefits. For starters, it makes breathing easier while helping you get the best sleep. Likewise, you don’t have to deal with bad odors or pathogens that cause nausea, fatigue, headaches, and nasal irritation. You can reduce your energy bills as your HVAC system doesn’t have to overwork to stabilize your indoor air. Statistics indicate that 91% of the global population breathes heavily polluted air, while approximately 7 million people die from outdoor and indoor air pollution. That said, how can you improve your home’s air quality? Here are some smart tips you can leverage for the best results.
Clean your home regularly
While this may seem basic, cleaning your home is an effective way to improve your home’s air quality. According to a National Geographic report, every home is filled with different pathogens, and your home is no exception. Excess dirt can expose you and your family to these microorganisms and trigger allergic reactions, coughing, skin irritation, and other respiratory issues. What’s more, you can create an environment for pests and other disease vectors to thrive. Therefore, you want to clean your home regularly to eliminate these harmful organisms.
You can begin by decluttering your living space and getting rid of unwanted items. As a tip, sort them out to determine what to throw away, sell or donate. It’s also prudent to dust and vacuum regularly to eliminate accumulated dust and disinfect your surface areas and countertops to eliminate harmful organisms. Your rugs and carpets trap dust and other particles, so cleaning them will prove helpful.
Inspect your home for excess moisture
Admittedly, moisture in your home is not uncommon, as it’s produced when you bathe, cook or wash. However, excess moisture isn’t normal and can be bad for your health and home. It can trigger the growth of mold and mildew, which causes itching, coughing, fatigue, sneezing, headache, runny nose, watery eyes, asthma, etc. Moreover, excess moisture accelerates the destruction of your furniture and other wooden items in your home. You also risk getting a bug infestation and electronic damage. Fortunately, you can detect and fix moisture issues in your home.
Certain signs can alert you to excess moisture, so keep this in mind. For instance, condensation on your windows during the winter and excess mildew show that you’re dealing with a moisture problem. Likewise, you need professional help if your exterior and interior paint keeps peeling, blistering, or cracking. In that case, it’s essential to work with mold and water damage restoration experts for the best results.
Improve your ventilation
Good ventilation is a sure way to maintain healthy indoor air quality. Not only does it regulate your home’s airflow, but it also controls household temperature and reduces humidity. Likewise, it eliminates bad odors, toxins, and other air impurities. You can improve your ventilation by opening your windows and doors wide to allow fresh air and expel stale air. If you’re concerned about safety, opening them slightly can help. Consequently, ensure that your filter functions properly and clean it regularly to prevent toxic particles from circulating in your home. Using ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathroom is also helpful, so keep this in mind.