Indoor air quality is important to help you breathe easily and avoid asthma and allergies. You can greatly reduce allergens in your home by simple ways like cleaning air filters or adding a few attractive plants. Ventilation is also important, so ensure your doors and windows are open to make use of natural ventilation.
Here are some simple strategies to make your home have great air quality:
5 Ways To Ensure Good Air Quality at Home
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Change your AC filter
Your air conditioning system is constantly working to have the perfect temperature for your home. However, the filters become clogged with common air pollutants that can slow the machine down or stop it from working properly. If this happens, it can affect your indoor air quality and can lead to expensive expenses if not taken care of.
Make sure that you regularly change your AC filters, or have a service plan that usually includes a filter change. Accumulation of allergens like dust, pollen, animal fur, and other microorganisms can cause allergies to your family. Proper cleaning of AC filters at least every 3 months can reduce wear and tear while allowing free movement of air.
When pollutants, dust, and other particles are filtered through, it can help improve your indoor air quality. This is very important especially if you live with children, older people, or those with respiratory illness.
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Check all your air ducts
Air ducts provide a comfortable climate in your home by distributing hot or cold air. If they’re not installed properly, they can distribute contaminants to every room in the house. When dust or mold gets accumulated in the ducts, it reduces the air quality. Call a professional to ensure that the air around your home is fresh and clean.
You can also opt for spray foam insulation to help lower pollutants, mold, and indoor allergens. Allergens don’t enter through doors or windows but through the walls. Spray foam also helps reduce allergies and asthma by keeping out insects or rodents. It’s also non-toxic, so it won’t release harmful chemicals and contaminants.
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Maintain your other air filters
Ensure other air filters at home aside from your AC filter, like the vacuum cleaner, dryer, and kitchen vents. They should all be constantly inspected and maintained. It’s recommended that these common filters are replaced every few months. It will help improve air quality, lower health risks, and save more energy.
Vacuum cleaner filters help capture dust to avoid them from being inhaled or putting them back out in the air again, so maintenance is very important. Your dryer filter should be free of lint buildup for effective operation. If there’s a huge lint buildup, it can block the airflow and increase the dryer’s energy consumption.
Your kitchen vents are also often overlooked, but these are important areas in your home that need constant cleaning. Keep them free from germs and bacteria by using surface cleaners. You can also opt to replace the vents if there are visible exterior damages.
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Keep your rugs and carpets clean
Rugs and carpets help improve your home aesthetically, but they also act as air filters by trapping pollutants and dust in their fibers. Vacuum at least once a week to avoid buildup in your carpets and keep them clean. Choose a vacuum cleaner with a strong suction and certified HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter.
You can also have them steam cleaned at least once a year. It’s not recommended to use shampoo, as it can start to have molds or other types of pollutants.
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Have indoor plants to freshen the air.
Plants are considered natural air filters. A few indoor plants can greatly improve your home’s air quality and enhance your home decor at the same time. They also help remove toxins and other harmful germs.
Some plant options include peace lily that helps remove carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, rubber plants, and pineapple plants that produce oxygen and help boost air quality at night. The English ivy is effective in lowering airborne pollutants, so it’s perfect for the bathroom. They also help reduce mold levels in your home. Chrysanthemums help filter out benzene and ammonia, which are commonly found in detergents and plastics.
Maintaining good air quality in your home will help protect your family against allergens and a pleasant home environment. Filthy or broken air and heating systems can cause dust mites or mold spores to circulate. Let your family breathe in fresh air to avoid potential health issues and make your home a pleasant place.
