Did you know that the air quality in your home may be worse than the air quality outdoors?
Considering we spend a lot of time in our homes, this thought can be daunting.
It’s important to regularly air out your home and look for ways to improve air quality for healthier lungs and a more comfortable environment.
Below we explain the importance of clean air in your home and how you can begin to improve it, starting today.
What are the Benefits of Clean Air in the Home?
Many of the things we do at home on a daily basis, from lighting candles to using air fresheners, increase our exposure to pollutants and contribute to our home’s emissions.
Even those with a healthy respiratory system stand to gain something from improving the air quality within the home environment.
With poor indoor air quality, you are putting yourself at risk of breathing in polluted air, which can cause or contribute to health conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hay fever, asthma, and heart disease.
Vulnerable people, such as young children, the older generations, and those with pre-existing health conditions can be especially susceptible to becoming ill due to indoor air quality.
What Kind of Indoor Pollution Is There?
There are a few types of indoor air pollution, such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.
Particulate matter is generated from burning something, such as a candle or incense, or through cooking and baking food. This can inflame your airways, increasing the risk of both heart and lung disease.
Volatile organic compounds are a type of chemical found in many products, such as furniture polish. They can also be produced when using heating appliances like wood burners. Increased exposure to these chemicals can irritate the airways and cause nausea and headaches.
In the case of long-term exposure, they can also damage your kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.
Install a Ventilation System
One of the easiest and best ways to improve the air quality in your home is by using a ventilation system. This will remove any stale, polluted air from your home, replacing it with fresh air from the atmosphere outside.
You can also use heat recovery units, which do the same thing, but warm the air coming back into your home first, for a more comfortable environment.
If you want to know more about installing ventilation in your home and the different types of ventilation systems available, check out a reputable ventilation supplier such as BPC.
Open Your Windows
Another simple trick is to open your windows at regular intervals throughout the day. Even in the wintertime, it is important to open windows, as otherwise you could be left with a build-up of humidity.
Although opening your windows can improve air quality, you do need to be careful when you do this.
If you live on a busy road or close to a train station, you should keep your windows closed during peak travel times, opening them before 8 AM or mid-day.
Opening your windows during rush hour is just an invitation for more pollutants to come into your home.
Hay fever sufferers should keep windows closed in the morning, as this is when the pollen count is at its highest. If you aren’t sure when to open your windows, check the air pollution in your area at any time through the UK Air website.
Reduce Dust
There are plenty of ways you can reduce dust in your home, from vacuuming more often to following a regular cleaning schedule. Simple ways to reduce dust in your home include:
- Taking your shoes off at the front door
- Washing bedding regularly, especially if you have pets on the bed
- Regularly cleaning non-washable items by taking them outside and giving them a good shake
Tackling dust is a never-ending battle, but being on top of the dust in your home will improve the air quality and is best for anyone who suffers from respiratory problems.
Use Extractor Fans
An extractor fan is a good idea in any room in the home which produces air pollution, especially in the bathroom and kitchen.
Although extractor fans above the cooker can be loud, they will remove the grease and smoke caused by cooking from the air, which will also limit damage to your kitchen cabinets and walls.
You should regularly clean and replace the filter in your extractor fans, as otherwise they cannot do their job properly.
Using an extractor fan in your bathroom will reduce the moisture in the air, which is a breeding ground for mould.
Vacuum Often
Vacuuming regularly can actually limit the number of allergens and pollutants in the air, but you do need a good-quality vacuum.
Luckily, many companies now sell vacuums created specifically for people with allergies, so if you do have an allergy, you should consider getting one of these.
Carpets can harbour plenty of allergens, such as dust mites and pet hairs, so it may be a better choice to choose solid flooring if you find that your allergies bother you at home.
Empty your vacuum often but do this outside so you don’t recirculate allergens back into the home.
Tackle Any Damp and Mould Straight Away
High levels of humidity in the home can cause a wide range of problems, especially damp and mould.
People with asthma are at serious risk of breathing difficulties when mould grows in their home, so you should tackle damp and mould at the first signs of growth.
To limit the chances of mould growth, you should:
- Dry wet clothes outdoors, or in a well-ventilated room
- Use a dehumidifier in rooms that have high humidity levels
- Open the windows when having a bath or shower, or use an extractor fan
- Do not put damp clothes away in the wardrobe
Whilst we may consider how the air pollution outdoors can affect our health, most of us don’t even begin to consider the air quality within our homes.
By following this guide, you can begin to improve your home’s air quality, reducing the risk of serious illness, as well as damp and mould growth.