Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Your health is your most important asset, and what goes into your lungs when in the comfort of your own home has a significant impact on your health. Poor air quality can affect your mood as well as your physical health. Pollutants in your home can cause asthma, fatigue, and even lung disease. Fortunately, there are may inexpensive ways to improve your indoor air quality.
Clean Floors
A vacuum with a HEPA filter will remove toxins and allergens in your home. Mopping wood, tile or linoleum floors, even with water, will remove remaining dust or allergens.
Humidity
Keeping your humidity between 30%-50% helps reduce the spread of dust mites and allergens. A dehumidifier or air conditioner will help prevent your humidity levels from getting too high.
No Smoking
Tobacco smoke releases countless toxins into the air, and thousands of people actually each year from second hand smoke exposure. Never allow anyone to smoke inside your home. EVER.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
A carbon monoxide leak can kill you, so you need to know immediately if there’s a problem. You may consider having a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, and outside every bedroom.
Use Mats
Place a floor mat at every door. Taking shoes off and leaving them on the mat helps reduce tacking dirt and allergens throughout the home. Make sure to vacuum them or give them regular shakeouts outdoors.
Change Furnace/AC Filter
The filter in your central heating and cooling system removes dust and allergens before pumping air throughout the home. If the filter is dirty, not only is it not effective but it also makes your furnace and air conditioner work harder raising your utility costs.
Open Windows Occasionally
People tend to seal up their homes during winter to keep energy costs down. However, cracking a window while cooking or cleaning will help disperse unpleasant odors. Also, ensure the exhaust fans in your kitchen overhead and bathrooms are working correctly.
Wash Your Sheets
People wash their clothes all the time, but many lose track of the last time they washed the sheets on their bed. Dust mites are a significant factor in air quality and can leave your sinuses and throat feeling irritated. Wash your sheets at least once a week
To achieve overall health, you have to breathe clean air. Making sure the air in your home is optimal for supporting your health doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. With a little effort the actions listed above will cost very little, but could have a substantial effect on your physical and mental health.
How about you, Clever Friends, have you ever done any of these ways to improve Your indoor air quality?
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Brock is a software engineer by day and personal finance blogger at night. He is a fitness junkie and enjoys grilling and smoking meat. Married with two children, Brock strives to improve his skills as a husband and father, and is always on the lookout to stretch his family’s budget as far as he can.