How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

As humans, air is essential for our survival, and it significantly influences our health and quality of life. While we may have limited control over the air quality outside, the air inside our homes is within our power to improve. This is particularly important as we spend an average of 62% of our time at home, giving us a significant opportunity to enhance our indoor air quality. 

How You Can Improve The Air Quality At Home

Many of us worry more about outdoor pollutants like smoke when we breathe. But what if the indoor pollutants are just as deadly? The activities we practice to transform our houses into homes, like burning candles, sage, decorating or using air fresheners, introduce pollutants into our homes. Even if you’re healthy, exposure to these pollutants places you and everyone in your household at risk of developing breathing-related health problems like COPD or asthma. Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from being your reality. 

Here are some ways you can improve the indoor air quality of your home. 

Plant Parenthood

Houseplants are the silent heroes of air purification. Not only do they bring a touch of the wild indoors and spruce up the home, but they also work tirelessly to absorb pollutants. Spider plants, for example, are not just skilled at surviving neglect but are also pros at filtering out unwanted guests like formaldehyde and benzene. So, consider adopting a few leafy friends as your very own air-cleaning crew. Just remember, they do like a drink now and then.

Get An Air Filtration System

The efficacy of your HVAC system’s filters might influence your pulmonary health. This is why replacing or cleaning these filters regularly is very important. Plus, it’s a chance to play detective as you uncover what’s been lurking in your air and giving you allergies —cat hair from a pet you never knew you had, perhaps?

Open The Windows

Trapping ourselves indoors with our pollutants—cooking fumes, that nail polish you thought smelled “kinda nice,” or the mysterious scent of “Eau de Toddler”—is a recipe for stale air. Opening windows and doors when the weather permits invites a natural breeze to sweep away the staleness. However, you’ll need to be strategic when doing this. So, keep them open when it’s humid or before peak traffic times if you live near a busy road or highway. 

Embrace the Humidifier (or Dehumidifier)

The battle against dry air in winter or the sticky humidity of summer is real. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help balance your home’s climate, making it not just more comfortable but healthier to breathe in. Too much moisture, and you’re in a mold spore party; too dry, and you’re living in a desert your skin hates. So, aim for that sweet spot of humidity (usually between 30-50%) for optimal comfort.

Clean Up Your Act

Regular dusting and vacuuming are not just for impressing the in-laws. These mundane tasks are vital for keeping pollutants in check. Dust mites, pet dander, and even pollen can turn your home into a hotbed of allergies. So, to checkmate this, equip yourself with a good vacuum cleaner, preferably one that boasts a HEPA filter, and take no prisoners in your quest for cleanliness.

Don’t Smoke Indoors

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but when you smoke indoors, the toxic emissions not only linger in the air but also settle on the walls, carpets, furniture and surfaces of the home. This is why it’s so easy to identify the home of a smoker, as this residue is usually the first thing you notice. Quitting smoking is hard, and while vapes help and emit less toxic chemicals into the air, it’s still not advisable to smoke indoors. If you must, designate smoking areas on the balconies or in the backyard. 

Detect to Protect

Radon, carbon monoxide, and other invisible threats can sneak into our homes uninvited. These gases are usually emitted from charcoal grills, gas-fired appliances, motor vehicles, and wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces. Installing detectors for these silent but deadly gases can be a literal lifesaver, offering peace of mind and protecting your household from unseen toxins. 

Conclusion

Improving your home’s indoor air quality doesn’t require a degree in environmental science. It’s about making small, sustainable changes for the sake of the health and well-being of your household. With these pointers, your home’s air quality index can significantly improve, allowing you to take cleaner, deeper breaths and enjoy fresher air in your sanctuary. Your lungs—and maybe even your pets—will thank you.