Here at Clean Air Solutions, we are passionate about indoor air quality. It’s important: the cleaner we can keep our indoor air both at work and in our homes, the less hard we will have to work to stay healthy.
In fact, the quality of our indoor air is so important that there is an association dedicated to it—the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA)—that is responsible for proposing, approving, and maintaining air quality standards.
Before you take in that next deep breath of indoor air, think about this: according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), the levels of many common air pollutants become anywhere from 2 to 5 times more concentrated in indoor air!
In this post, learn how to identify the most common indoor air toxins and some neat techniques to clean them up naturally.
The “Repeat Offenders” Indoor Air Toxins List
A little air quality education can end up being a powerful tool for health once we realize we may be bringing toxins inside.
Some of the most common repeat offenders today do come from us. But the good news is, once we know, we can shut them down for good.
Repeat offenders include these toxins:
- Tobacco products Includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigs, and vaping
- Commercial cleaning products Many trusted brand-name commercial glass, counter, bathroom, and floor cleaners are actually filled with powerful toxins.
- Air fresheners Scents and fresheners we use in an attempt to clean our indoor air can actually contribute some of the worst of all indoor air pollutants. Many of those wonderful aromas are actually potent recipes filled with 14 or more chemicals.
- Mold and mildew Poor ventilation, especially in areas where damp air tends to linger (bathrooms, laundry rooms), can encourage mold and mildew and other unwelcome bacteria to form and congregate.
- Pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides The sprays, powders, pellets, and other products we use to keep our produce and properties free from insects tend to poison us just as readily as they poison our pests.
- Indoor activities such as heating, cooling, cooking, DIY projects, and other hobbies Cooking, crafts and hobbies, use of cosmetics, and temperature-control systems that heat and cool (especially those that use gas or propane fuel) can release toxic fumes into the air. But the number one toxin that can arise inside homes is odorless and colorless—and lethal. It is called carbon monoxide.
- Pollen and outdoor toxins Each time you enter your workplace or your home, you unknowingly bring in certain repeat offenders. They are clinging to your shoes and clothing and even hiding in your hair and right out in the open on your skin. Once inside, pollen, acid rain, smog, exhaust smoke, and other irritants will make themselves right at home in your indoor air circulation system.
How to Clean Up Indoor Air Toxins Naturally
While you won’t always be able to control for every toxin that may enter your indoor air circulation system, you do have control over ways to keep your indoor air cleaner without adding even more toxins as you do so.
Here are some natural indoor air quality remedies you can start to use right now!
Air Duct Cleaning
Having your air ducts cleaned on a regular basis removes accumulated dust, debris, toxins, pollens, and other pollutants from your indoor air supply.
Air duct cleaning is a popular and well-known maintenance procedure. The debris and toxins are simply vacuumed right out of your ductwork so that your indoor air is all that is left.
Heat Recovery Ventilators
Installing heat recovery ventilators ensures that only the freshest air is permitted to circulate through your air ducts.
A heat recovery ventilator separates out the contaminated air that is being pushed outside and the fresh air that is being pulled inside. This prevents toxins that are on their way out from being pulled back into your indoor air and re-added to the indoor air supply.
Adding Green Plants
By choosing the right green plants to add to your indoor space, you not only brighten up the decor but also reap the benefits of what plants do naturally anyway—clean and recycle air.
People and pets breathe oxygen, and plants “breathe” carbon dioxide. So every time we exhale, they are on the job to use what we don’t need and keep our indoor air supply clean and fresh.
For a list of the best houseplants for cleaning your indoor air, click here.
Using Only Natural Cleaning Agents & Scents
The cleaning agents you choose will either add toxins to your indoor air or safeguard its purity.
The same holds true for the scents and air fresheners you choose. You can switch out your commercial scents for all-natural essential oils and fresh citrus, teas, and dried herbs that work just as well and smell even better.
Click here for a list of all-natural, safe, and toxin-free cleaning products you can use this spring and anytime for a thorough cleaning and disinfecting result.
By establishing an indoor air cleanliness routine, you can walk inside and breathe as deeply as you like without fearing you are harming your health.
If you would like to set up a free consultation about air duct cleaning, installation of a heat recovery ventilator, mattress cleaning, an air quality test, the use of HEPA filters (spot or central), or other air quality questions, contact us at 905-544-2470 or online here.
