6 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality and Reduce Air Pollution
The air quality in your home is incredibly easy to overlook because you can’t see it. In fact, we generally associate poor air quality with the air outside of our home - whether it be pollution, allergy seasons or smog.
The truth, however, is the air inside our homes can be just as polluted as the air outside.
Mould, fungi, bacteria, dust mites, pollen and spores, as well as chemical pollutants such as lead, asbestos and formaldehyde are all forms of air pollutants that can affect the quality of life we have in our own homes.
The air we breathe has a huge impact on both our mental and physical health. In fact, the Government of Canada estimates that 14,600 premature deaths per year in Canada can be linked to air pollution from fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone.
Symptoms of poor indoor air quality that can seriously affect your mood and health, include:
Tiredness.
Headaches and dizziness.
Coughing and sneezing.
Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Mucus in the nose or throat.
Dry irritated eyes, nose, throat and skin.
Older adults, young children, those who have existing heart conditions, and people who have existing breathing, lung problems and illnesses are the most at risk to the negative health effects of poor indoor air quality. This group will experience more frequent and severe symptoms, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways we can eliminate toxins and contaminants in our homes and improve indoor air quality. Georgian Duct Cleaning has listed six methods to improve your indoor air quality in 2020.
1 - Control the humidity levels in your home
Too much humidity in your home can lead to the growth of mould. You can control your humidity levels through the use of a humidifier and dehumidifier, as well as ensuring there are no air leaks within your home. Make sure if you find any mould within your home that you remove it with soap and warm water - harsh chemicals such as bleach are not needed.
2 - Make your home a smoke-free zone
Cigarette smoke emits a wide range of chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, particulate matter and others. If family members smoke inside your house, or even just outside, your home’s air quality will take a significant hit. To truly improve your indoor air quality, it’s essential that you do not smoke inside your home.
3 - Use houseplants as decoration
Houseplants aren’t just a fantastic way to improve the look of your home, they also act as a natural cleanser for the air in your property. Some houseplants - such as Bamboo Palm, English Ivy, variations of Dracaena and Gerbera Daisy - help remove the toxins from the air in your home, while also providing additional oxygen.
4 - Ensure you clean your house regularly
By regularly cleaning your home, you will ensure dust and other particles aren’t reducing the air quality within your home. To clean your home properly, make sure you:
Clean floors with a damp mop or cloth.
Use a mattress and pillow protector, as well as wash your sheets once a week, to prevent the collection of dust mites.
Vacuum your house often, particularly if you suffer from seasonal allergies or have pets that release dander.
5 - Clean your dryer vent
Over time, your dryer will become clogged with lint, hair and dust. Once your dryer becomes blocked, its airflow will become restricted and it will not only be affecting your air quality but it will also become a fire hazard. The regular inspection and cleaning of your dryer vent will minimize these risks.
6 - Clean your air ducts regularly
The most effective way to improve your indoor air quality is to schedule regular air duct cleanings for your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Over time, a buildup will occur in your air ducts from a combination of bacteria, mould, blockages from objects and dust. This will significantly impact the quality of air that is circulating in your home.
Not only will regular air duct cleanings ensure you have high quality air in your home, it will also save you money by ensuring your HVAC system is operating efficiently.
Want to learn more about professional air duct cleaning services? Contact Georgian Duct today. Our team of cleaning experts would love to answer any questions that you have.
