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Last Updated September 12, 2024
Did you know that the air inside our homes is sometimes more polluted than the air outside? It can even wreak havoc on our physical and mental health!
You would be surprised to know that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, where levels of pollutants can be up to five times higher than outside air.
Even if you are a non-smoker, all the healthy cooking you do, the beautiful furniture you buy, and the new paint or carpet you just installed can pollute your indoor air with harmful chemicals.
And please don't think you can band-aid this issue with air fresheners. Air fresheners are not going to ease these problems but only worsen them. So keep the lids on those artificially scented candles and implement these five major things to boost your indoor air quality.
The most common, harmful pollutants found indoors include:
In high concentrations, these pollutants can cause dizziness, headaches, and irritation to the nose, mouth, and throat, as well as liver and kidney damage.
Marie Kondo, the most popular decluttering expert that we are huge fans of, opens her windows every week for some time to let fresh air come in. How hard can it be to open the windows to replace the old air with fresh air?
Air-conditioning systems are constantly working to give your living area that perfect temperature all year round. But did you know that these AC systems have a little secret?
According to the EPA, air filters can help remove and reduce airborne particles indoors, including the ones that are of greatest health concern.
While they’re busy producing fresh air and reducing heat, they’re also filtering out some of those pesky air pollutants. Eventually, their air filters fill up and stop working. Not only does this interfere with indoor air quality, but it also wear down your air conditioning system.
In general, air filters should be replaced every 2–3 months. This is a great practice to keep your HVAC system in top condition without working hard and breaking down.
The pillows that you press your face and nose on, the comfy mattress that you sleep on for one third of your life, and all those fancy upholstered chairs are emitting VOCs and polluting your air.
We recommend working on replacing your bedding first to improve your sleep quality as well as your air quality.
There are a variety of options when it comes to pillow and mattress filling, like down, wool, buckwheat, latex, organic cotton fiber, and more. Replacing all of them may be expensive, so work on the ones you and your family sleep on first, and then work on the guest beds and furniture.
If replacing a mattress is expensive, we recommend a mattress topper to alleviate the situation.
Here at Turmerry, we are big fans of simple household ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. Oh, and essential oils!
Vinegar, when mixed with essential oil in small quantities, works equally well on just about any cleaning job. Never use vinegar on stone, ceramics, or computer screens. And please never ever mix vinegar with bleach.
You can look up many recipes for natural cleaning solutions. Also, you can check out some eco-friendly brands like Seventh Generation or refillable subscription-based brands like Clean Living.
We also request that you provide these natural cleaning options to your cleaning service personnel in consideration for their health as well as yours.
There are many high-quality air purifiers available on the market that will remove a wide range of airborne particles, chemicals, and odors. Investing in one like this that can last for decades is a wonderful health option for you and your family.
If you think air purifiers like Dyson or Austin are expensive, consider growing indoor plants. Plants such as florists, chrysanthemums, peace lilies, and spider plants are known to purify air.
You might want to have multiple plants placed strategically throughout the home to get significant results. Make sure to keep them out of reach from children and pets.
Recent studies show that air pollution can cause neurological health issues. It can affect our mental health and cause depression. So, its worth investing in keeping your indoor air pollution as minimal as possible.
Dust particles do not remain in the air for too long. They quickly settle on horizontal surfaces like carpets and floors and are more easily disturbed. Thus, allergens get redistributed throughout the air over and over.
Vacuum your carpets and floors regularly, and they will keep working for you, improving the indoor air quality. Make sure you are using a high-quality vacuum with micro or High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration.
Indoor air pollutants can come from the kitchen too! Gas stoves and electric burners produce harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide. So, when you're cooking, make sure to turn on your kitchen vents. If you don't have vents in your kitchen, at least open a window to help filter out the air.
Shoes are known to bring more dust, dirt, and outdoor chemicals inside your homes. For this reason, the practice of removing shoes before getting inside is another way of reducing indoor air pollution.
Humidity has a significant influence on indoor air quality. The ideal humidity level is between 30% and 50%. If the humidity level rises above 50%, it encourages the growth of mold, dust mites, and other allergens.
A dehumidifier is a great investment for decreasing the moisture level, thus improving indoor air quality. The more you control the moisture levels, the better the air quality.
Yeah, dry-cleaned clothes do smell great, but did you know that the dry cleaning solvents used can be toxic to breathe in? Make sure to air-dry cleaned clothes outside before bringing them home to minimize chemical exposure.
Now that you know how to improve your indoor air quality, it’s time to get started! Remember, reducing pollution doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, most of these tips are easy and take very little effort. But the payoff is big in terms of improved health for your family.
Related blog posts:
1. Sleep Hygiene: The Science Behind Quality Sleep
3. How to Deodorize a Mattress?
4. How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?
Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.
