Everyone is already worried about pollution in the outdoors, but they don’t realize that there’s pollution inside, too! Indoor air pollution can be hazardous to your health, whether you have allergies or not. Mold, dust, and bacteria can all affect indoor air quality, and you may not even know it!
So, how can you prevent respiratory illnesses and allergy attacks from indoor pollution? Consider some of these air quality hacks. With some quick and easy tips at your fingertips, you can reduce air pollution in no time!
Add An Air Purifier
You may already know that your air conditioning unit uses HVAC filters, but sometimes, you need something extra. Pet hair, germy children, dust buildup, and pollen from outside can make it difficult for one filter to ensure a clean atmosphere. The easiest solution is to get a small air purifier that can handle any overflow pollution in your space.
Make sure you check the room size these purifiers can handle, as well as what types of contaminants they’re designed to reduce. Some targets are just pet dander, while others are all-around purifiers. You may end up getting a purifier for every room in your home!
Swap Your Air Conditioning Filters
If you didn’t know your air conditioning unit has a filter, you probably don’t realize that it needs to be changed regularly. Your filter builds up a lot of dust and other contaminants, which makes it less effective. Make sure you’re swapping out filters every 90 days or so to ensure they continue to perform well. If you’re experiencing a high amount of indoor pollution, you may want to change your filter even more frequently.
You’ll need to find the right filter for your unit to ensure compatibility. Find the serial or model number of your unit and order new ones in bulk online.
Use Plants
Filters and air purifiers are great, but you know what’s even better? Natural filters that add beauty and elegance to your space! Certain plants can do more than just brighten up a room; they can also help you purify the air to improve air quality.
As you know, plants absorb carbon dioxide through their roots and leaves. During photosynthesis, they release oxygen into the air. When NASA did a study about plants in the 1980s, they also found that plants can absorb volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and benzene. Plants can even reduce moisture levels in your space, preventing an environment that welcomes mold.
The most popular plants for keeping your home clean include snake plants, aloe vera, peace lilies, pothos, and spider plants. Most of these are pretty low maintenance. Just make sure to check if they’re safe around pets before placing them within easy reach!
Make Sure You’re Dusting
It can be easy to rely on filters and plants to do most of the heavy lifting, but even these can’t get rid of all the pollutants that contaminate your home. To make sure you’re doing your part, you should wipe down surfaces and clean your floors every week. You’ll be getting rid of dust mites that can cause allergic reactions and improving overall air quality.
For this regular maintenance mission, you should probably skip the feather duster and use a damp microfiber cloth, as dry dusters can stir up the particles and throw them back into the air. A damp cloth contains any contaminants, ensuring they don’t spread. You can use your cloth on furniture, windowsills, bookshelves, and other areas that tend to collect dust — like broad plant leaves!
Go Shoe-Free
You might not realize that most of the dust that enters your home comes from your footwear. Your family and guests are actually the ones bringing in all that contamination! The easiest solution here is to make your home a shoe-free environment. Prevent the constant traffic of pollutants around the home with a convenient shoe rack right by the door.
You can even provide guests with their own set of slippers, ensuring their comfort when they visit. Add a hanging rack that holds disposable slippers to make them easy to grab and keep them out of the way.
Try Them All
As you can see, this list includes a wide variety of tips and hacks that you can use solo or combine together. Slowly add some of these to your routine to see how they work out for you. Choose the best ones for your lifestyle and enjoy cleaner, allergen-free air in your home!