When it comes to our health, breathing clean air is just as important as eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. Since most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, it’s important to make sure that the air is clean and healthy. So, we’ve created this list of tips for improving indoor air quality to help.
- Replace furnace filters regularly. The recommended interval is at least once a month. For extra protection, use allergen reducing filters.
- Bathe your pets frequently. Regular bathing of your pets helps to minimize dander which is a very common allergen.
- Brush your pets regularly to remove excess hair. It’s best to brush them outside if you can to avoid spreading the hair around your home.
- Use a vacuum cleaner that has a hepa filter in it.
- Consider installing a hepa filter for your whole home to filter out allergens and other airborne toxins.
- When painting, use low VOC paints that minimize the release of toxic chemicals into your home.
- Use a humidifier during the dry winter months to avoid dry skin and dry irritated airways in your body.
- Ventilate for fresh air. If the weather is nice, open some windows as outdoor air is often cleaner than indoor air. If you’re using your furnace or air conditioner, make sure you’re using an air exchanger that will bring fresh air into your home.
- Use an air purifier to kill any airborne pathogens or allergens.
- Have your ducts cleaned. Dust and other allergens can build up in your ducts. Keeping them clean can help improve the air quality within your home.
- Check for and eliminate mold. Mold can be toxic and trigger allergies. Common areas where mold can be found are in bathrooms and damp basements or crawl-spaces. If you do clean it yourself, be sure the area is well ventilated as the cleaning products used for mold can be quite toxic as well.
- Minimize use of scented products and air fresheners. Many of them emit toxic chemicals.
If you have any questions or concerns about your indoor air quality, or would like to schedule a professional analysis and treatment plan, we’re happy to help. Feel free to contact us for a no obligation consultation today.
