Next time you’re at work or in your home, take a long, deep breath of air. Does it smell clean and fresh, or do you notice any strange or unnatural odors?
Unfortunately, indoor air is often laced with a variety of pollutants, including chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and pet dander. Contaminants like these can stir up allergies, make you cough and sneeze, and can even lead to more serious medical problems such as lung cancer. Whenever you take steps to eliminate air pollutants in your home and workplace, you not only improve indoor air quality, making it easier for everyone to breathe, but you also create a more comfortable living and working environment.
If you suspect the air in your home is contaminated, polluted or not quite right for any reason, here are several easy and economical things you can do to improve the indoor air quality:
Don’t Allow Smoking
Make sure all rooms and areas in your home and office are “no smoking zones.” Never allow family, friends or workmates to smoke where you live or work, since cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals and is a known and dangerous carcinogen.
Loose the Shoes
Ask everyone to remove their shoes before they enter your home, since they can track in contaminants. If that isn’t possible, be sure to place a doormat at the front door or entryway.
Clean Floors Regularly
Remove floor dust and dirt at least twice a week. If possible, use a vacuum cleaner that has a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to control allergens. HEPA filters remove almost all bits of grime up to about 0.3 micrometers in size. However, for them to do their job, you must make sure to clean or change them often. Also, remember to vacuum furniture and wash bed sheets and blankets on a regular basis, since they can harbor dust mites and other debris.
Circulate Fresh Air
Regularly open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate and replace stale, dirty or musty indoor air. However, if you, your family or workmates suffer from seasonal allergies, remember to close doors and windows in the evening or any other time when pollen counts are usually highest.
Monitor HVAC Filters
Monitor and replace filters used in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems whenever they show any buildup of dirt or dust. Check filters often, especially in winter and summer seasons when HVAC systems tend to run a lot.
Decorate With Houseplants
Since houseplants act as natural air purification filters, place them throughout your home to freshen and clean indoor air. Plants especially known for improving indoor air quality include aloe, chrysanthemums spider plants, and red-edged dracaenas.
