How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
By Sara Butler
A lot of people worry about air pollution, often checking the levels outdoors when deciding whether to go out during the day or not. Well, worrying about outdoor air pollution is an unfortunate must in order to stay healthy, but what about the air quality indoors? Many people don't give their indoor air quality much thought, but the truth is that often indoor air quality can be poorer than the air outside. There are steps you can take to breathe a bit easier indoors. Here are some tips to help you improve your indoor air quality.
Take Steps to Reduce Chemicals
In order to reduce the chemicals present in the air inside your home, you should:
- Avoid smoking inside
- Reduce your use of harsh cleaners or cleaners with fragrances
- Avoid some activities such as gluing, soldering, painting, or sanding inside
- Don't idle cars or lawnmowers in the garage if it's attached to the house
Keep It Clean Inside
To reduce other forms of pollutants in your inside air, you should:
- Wash your pillows, comforters, and sheets weekly to reduce exposure to allergens
- Take your shoes off at the door to reduce tracked in dirt and germs
- Have a mat to wipe your feet on in the entrance of your home
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and microfiber cloths to clean up dust and vacuum carpets
Get Moisture Under Control
Moisture in your home is an open invitation to mold that can make you sick. Reduce moisture by:
- Using a dehumidifier if you need to in order to keep the humidity under 60 percent -- and don't forget to regularly clean dehumidifiers
- Repair any leak you find promptly
- If you have a leak or flood and there's water damage, then remove the water and material that go wet from your home, drying everything you can with a fan within 48 hours
- Turn on your bathroom exhaust when showering
- Get some houseplants that can help to cleanse of pollutants such as carbon dioxide
Properly Ventilate
One of the reasons indoor air quality can be so poor is due to improper ventilation. You can ensure proper ventilation by:
- Opening doors and windows when weather permits
- Using mechanical filters that are replaced regularly
- Ensuring all fireplaces, heaters, furnaces, range tops, and fans are vented to the outside, away from air intakes for heating and cooling
Remember how important indoor air quality is and take steps to improve it!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Buford, Ga.