How to Control Air Quality Inside Your Home

When it comes to the inside of our home, we should always be looking for a way to make it as comfortable as possible. If we’re discussing air quality, it’s important to be aware that the quality of what we’re breathing in is essential for maintaining good health. In a nutshell, bad air quality is going to affect how we look, think and feel.

While it’s impossible to have control over exterior air quality, it is possible to have greater control over the air we breathe inside our home. But what are the steps that need to be taken to achieve this? Well, if you’re looking for those answers, then you’ve come to the right place.

Here are 5 ways to improve your indoor air quality!

1- Avoid ways for mould and mildew to grow

Photo: Flickr - satemkemet

Mould is one of the main elements that can cause problems with interior air quality. For this reason, it will be necessary to check the degree of moisture present in the house in order to minimize the presence of mould. Mould and mildew growth occurs when a significant amount of moisture finds its way into the surfaces. Mould particles travel by air, and thus, this greatly compromises your air quality.

Essentially, you’ll be looking to assess the levels of humidity in your home.  This will come down to checking the amount of moisture present in the air. There are visual signs that are a dead giveaway that there’s too much moisture present in the air including a build-up of condensation on the interior of your windows or noticeable wet stains on your ceilings or walls. If you’re not noticing any of these signs but would like a concrete idea of your indoor moisture levels, you can purchase a hygrometer.

When used correctly, this device will accurately measure indoor moisture levels and can offer you more insight into whether or not this is affecting your home. There are plenty of ways to deal with excess moisture, and the Government of Canada recommends plugging any visible leaks, using the bathroom fan when showering and the oven range hood when preparing food.

In addition to these measures, leaving curtains and blinds open is useful to counter the onset of condensation. During the warm season, it is also equally recommended to use a dehumidifier if you’re finding any of these issues persist.

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2- Ventilate the house

Having fresh airflow in and out of your home is crucial to how clean your indoor air is. For this reason, it’s important to ventilate the rooms by keeping windows and doors open during the spring and summer months. If you live in a particularly crowded city, it may not be ideal for you to rely on keeping doors and windows open, as the air outside may be just as stagnant.

In this case, open doors and windows at optimal times such as very early in the morning or very late in the evening for optimal air quality. For the best possible results, consider investing in a ventilator for your home. This device will offer a way to purify the air and is especially useful for those who live in a city.

Always remember that if you’re about to use varnish or paint, it’s essential to open windows or doors as these products can be toxic and are harmful to the maintenance of good air quality.

Although lead paint has not been used in Canada since 1978 and isn’t a significant hazard if intact, it is strongly recommended to hire a specialist to remove it, being that any airborne particles of lead paint are quite harmful if they should penetrate inside the home during renovations. Furthermore, whenever possible try and use biodegradable cleaning products.

3- Clean your AC unit

In most cases, an air conditioner will help improve the air quality of your home. Air conditioners dry the air in your home while also working to remove impurities and pollens.

This is because these units contain a filter that serves these functions. However, if this filter isn’t cleaned every now and again, it will greatly affect the indoor air quality. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and clean the filter regularly.

4- Keep surfaces, appliances and air as clean as can be

Of course, keeping your surfaces clean will aid in keeping the indoor air clean. As such, we’re suggesting you clean floors with a mop or damp cloth. If possible, use a vacuum cleaner on a regular basis and preferably one with a high-efficiency HEPA filter. In addition, it’s important not to neglect the lint filter of the dryer, cleaning it out after each use.

The kitchen can be one of the stuffiest rooms in the home, and this is due to the number of appliances present in one space. The state of your fridge and stove can cause issues when it comes to air quality. It is crucial when using the stove to check specific aspects. At first glance, make sure the air vent is connected to the outside of the house rather than the attic. Moreover, ensure that the exterior part of the vent is free from any blockages.

Another important note is smoke. Yourself or a loved one smoking inside has a serious effect on the indoor air quality. The numerous toxic ingredients contained in cigarette smoke are no longer a secret. Taking into consideration the information provided by the Canadian Cancer Society that more than 4000 toxic products are found in a single cigarette, this recommendation is fundamental to maintaining good air quality within the family home.

5- Fill your home with natural air purifiers

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There are plenty of things you can add to the interior of your home to further purify the air. Houseplants are an excellent method for the removal of toxins, not to mention they look pretty good as accessories. Some of the best plants for improving air quality include English Ivy, Bamboo Palm, Gerbera Daisy, most strains of Dracaena, Corn plants and so forth.

Salt lamps, as well as beeswax candles, are other options for reducing and fighting against contaminants that cause allergies as well as purifying the air.

Both simple and easy to apply, the recommendations above will help you maintain the highest air quality inside your home while promoting good health.