As the weather changes and temperatures start to drop, now is a great time to think about how to improve the air quality in your home. Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of health problems, including headaches, allergies, and asthma.
Thankfully, there are several simple steps you can take to improve the air quality in your home this winter. Read on for 9 tips that will help you breathe easier.
Open Windows Periodically
You probably enjoy some fresh air from your open windows while relaxing at home taking advantage of the Everygame casino no deposit bonus. But opening windows provides more than just fresh air. It also helps reduce the buildup of any VOCs, dust mites, and other airborne particles that can accumulate over time in the home.
Opening windows periodically (whenever outdoor air quality is good) will help improve indoor air quality as well. Having them open for about 20 minutes every day during winter months is a great place to start.
Vacuum Regularly
How often do you vacuum your carpets and rugs? Vacuuming regularly, ideally at least once a week, can help reduce dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles that can cause health problems.
If you have pets, you might need to vacuum every other day. Pet dander can easily stick around long after your pet has moved on from shedding his fur all over your couch cushions. Regular vacuuming followed by giving furniture pieces a light dusting weekly will help reduce pet dander buildup both indoors and out.
Make sure to use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum if possible, as this will help capture more of the smaller particles in the air.
Change Your Air Filters
This one is a no-brainer! Furnace filters should be changed at least every 3 months during peak usage times, such as winter and spring when pollen counts are highest and people rely most heavily on their heating systems for indoor comfort.
Changing furnace filters regularly helps reduce airborne irritants like dust, pet dander, smoke particles, etc., helping improve overall air quality in your house.
Monitor Humidity Levels
Humidity levels in the home should be monitored and kept at a healthy level – between 30-50%. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help maintain this range if needed. Higher humidity levels can encourage mold and bacteria growth, while lower levels can cause irritation to your eyes, throat, nose, and skin.
Avoid Excess Moisture
Unchecked moisture can lead to mold growth which is bad news for both indoor air quality and home maintenance costs down the road due to water damage repairs or dealing with an infestation of mold spores in your living space.
Make sure bathrooms are well-ventilated after showers and baths. Also, wipe up any spills right away so they don’t have time to settle into porous surfaces like wood furniture or carpeting, where they could cause mold growth over time if left unchecked.
Use Low VOC Products
Be mindful of what products you use indoors, such as cleaning supplies, paints/stains, glues/adhesives, etc., since many contain potentially harmful chemicals known as VOCs. These harmful chemicals can build up over time indoors, creating poor indoor air quality not just now but also down the road if left unchecked.
Invest in an Air Purifier
If you have been experiencing poor indoor air quality despite taking all the above steps, it may be time to invest in a good-quality air purifier. This will help improve overall indoor air quality by removing airborne particles like dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke particles, etc., from the air to help improve breathing and reduce irritation.
Make Sure Ducts are Clean
Another step to take for improving indoor air quality is to have your ducts checked and cleaned if needed by a professional HVAC technician.
Dust, debris, pet hair, etc., can get trapped in ductwork over time which can then be circulated throughout the home whenever the HVAC system is running. This can be especially problematic during peak usage times like winter when people rely heavily on their heating systems to stay warm.
Keep Houseplants Out
While houseplants may look nice indoors, they aren’t always great for improving air quality because some plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This can, in turn, make breathing difficult if they accumulate over time indoors with no way of escaping back outside naturally.
Before buying any houseplants, ensure they are low-maintenance, non-toxic species. So much so, remove all the dead leaves, dust them off, and consider wiping the stems with a damp cloth.
Conclusion
There is nothing better than coming home after a long day outside knowing that the inside of your house is safe from pollutants that could make it hard for you or your family members with allergies, asthma, or other health conditions to breathe easily throughout this upcoming winter season. These 9 tips should help you keep your indoor air quality up to par while also improving the overall comfort of your home.
Remember, proper ventilation, regular cleaning, and maintenance, keeping windows closed when possible, and investing in a good-quality air purifier are all great steps toward making your living space healthier this winter.
