How to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

Posted on September 2nd, 2015 by Devine Bros

Do you know about the dangers of indoor air pollution? It sounds like the start to a cheesy infomercial, but it’s the truth – the air in your home may be up to ten times more polluted than even the dirtiest of cities! Still skeptical? What if we told you that the EPA, a government agency, ranked indoor air pollution as a top five risk to public health?

The World Health Organization lists several risks and diseases attributed to poor indoor air quality, including lung cancer and heart disease. If you are looking for ways to clean up your home’s air, following these tips is a good place to start.

• Install a HEPA filter. High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters remove 99.7% of all particles from your air. These filters can be used in conjunction with your central HVAC system, or you can buy standalone units to use in problem areas.

• Shoe control. When you wear shoes around the house, you aren’t just tracking dirt – you could also be dragging pesticides and other toxins into your home. Use doormats at all entrances and implement a “no shoe” policy for yourself and your guests.

• Stop using commercial cleaners. It’s hard to imagine, but almost nothing makes your air dirtier than commercial cleaning products – especially air spray! Ditch these, you can clean most things in your house using nothing more than baking soda, vinegar, and lemon.

• Add some houseplants. During the 1980s, NASA conducted a study which concluded that certain houseplants (such as bamboo, aloe vera, and English ivy) can naturally purify your home’s air by removing harmful toxins.

• No-smoking zone. By now everyone is aware of the dangers of first- and second-hand smoke, but what about third-hand smoke? This happens when you smoke inside, harmful particles from the smoke can linger on walls and furniture well after the cigarette has been put out.

• Remove all mold and mildew. Mold is a type of fungus that can grow anywhere moisture is present. Exposure to mold can cause allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and even respiratory infections. If you spot it growing in your home, have it professionally removed immediately.

How clean is your home’s air? If you live in Norwalk, Connecticut or the surrounding area, contact Devine Bros. for an air quality consultation at (203) 866-4421!