Breathe easy and stay healthy in your home and office. Here are a few easy tips to improve your indoor air quality and reduce allergens.
1. Use An Indoor Air Purifier
It is common knowledge that the air we breathe outdoors is highly polluted. But do not assume that you are better off inside your home or office! Presence of dust particles, microbial pollutants such as hair and dander, as well as harmful gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your surroundings contribute to poor indoor quality.
Using an advanced air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon filters can eliminate all the air polluting elements present indoors. The HEPA filter can easily trap the finest dust particles while the activated carbon filter clears foul odors and gases.
2. Fix Leakage Immediately
Leaking water can gradually stain your property’s walls, thereby increasing the humidity level inside. Presence of excessive moisture in the air can lead to mold and mildew growth. This fungus growth also releases tiny fragments and toxins into the air. When inhaled, these elements can weaken your immune system resulting in common flu-like symptoms. Some may have allergic reactions such as chest tightness, wheezing, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.
However, all these problems can be avoided by performing regular maintenance tasks in your home or office and preventing water leakage.
3. Monitor Humidity Level And Ensure Proper Ventilation
Although high humidity levels due to leakage and damages must be checked, maintaining a healthy humidity level is also important. Summer brings warmer temperatures, causing your ambient environment to become extremely dry. Dry skin, nose, and throat are some of the problems caused due to the low humidity level. In fact, studies show that the influenza virus becomes more infectious in dry air.
Use a humidifier in your home and keep a bowl full of water in a corner to maintain a healthy humidity level (around 40 percent) in your home or office. Also, ensuring proper air ventilation in every room also helps remove air pollutants present indoors. The vents built in your property are natural air ventilators. Clean all the vents regularly to maintain a balanced air circulation into and out of your room.
4. Vacuum Regularly Using A HEPA Filtered Vacuum Cleaner
Dust can lead to the growth of toxins and allergy-causing bacteria. And the articles that have the highest dust particles are your carpets and upholstered furniture. Vacuum these surfaces regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter can efficiently draw in even the finest allergens and toxins along with dust particles and prevent their recirculation in your home. Remember to change the filter of your vacuum cleaner regularly.
5. Use 100% Natural Personal Care Products
Many of our everyday essentials such as shampoo, soaps, colognes, perfumes, and other personal care products carry artificial scents and chemicals. With every use, these products release certain toxic gases. Instead, opt for 100% natural variants wherever available as they are unscented and non-aerosol based. If you do use any chemical products such as nail paint and nail paint remover, choose to use them in properly ventilated spaces instead of closed rooms.
6. Use House Plants
Certain plants are natural air purifiers. They can clean your indoor air from toxic chemicals and restore a pleasant environment. Their roots, foliage, and leaves can absorb certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), though at a slower rate. Some of the hanging plants you can incorporate in your décor include Boston fern, Palm trees, Rubber plants, and English ivy.
7. Some Dos And Don’ts
Do
• Keep your room clean and tidy.
• Properly dispose of your garbage.
• Open windows when you clean.
• Wash new clothes before wearing or dry cleaning.
• Take off your shoes at the door.
• Clean your HVAC system regularly and get it repaired if you notice drips and leaks.
Don’t
• Don’t smoke indoors.
• Avoid harsh cleaning products.
• Ditch synthetic air fresheners.
• Avoid dry dusting and use a damp cloth to clean all surfaces.
• Don’t use high-VOC paints when painting your home or office.
• Don’t burn paraffin candles which release petroleum byproducts. Instead, use beeswax candles.
Need an air purifier? Or do you want to get your HVAC system checked for emissions? Arellano Heating & Air LLC is your go-to HVAC specialist for all your installation, repair, and maintenance needs in Nevada. Give us a call at 775-463-9520 today!
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