Are you aware of what indoor air pollution can cause to you and your family? Symptoms like eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue are very common immediate effects of polluted air. These symptoms are often mistaken for colds or other diseases, but allergies and asthma may also appear in a polluted home.

You need to pay attention:

If the person’s symptoms fade or reduce when they leave the house, it can be what you were looking for to identify your indoor air quality.

It’s important to diagnose your indoor air quality as soon as possible since long-term exposure to polluted air will lead to more serious health issues - and that can even include respiratory and heart diseases.

“Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings.” - Publilius Syrus

Artificially Scented Candles

If you like lighting candles, you can always make your own
If you like lighting candles, you can always make your own. Source: Live Simply

If you have the habit of purchasing candles, be careful: if it’s scented, it will release toxic substances in the air that can cause respiratory problems. Be extra careful when buying candles to avoid the most dangerous type of all: the paraffin candles! Not only scented, but also artificially dyed candles will also be harmful to your health.

The best thing you can do is to focus on candles made of beeswax or vegetable oils and add your favorite scents with a couple of drops of essential oils.

Lack of Air Conditioning Maintenance

Keeping your air conditioning system well maintained is very important.
Keeping your air conditioning system well maintained is very important. Source: Friends of the Commons

A wide variety of bacteria and illnesses can be caused or spread by lack of maintenance on air conditioning system, vents, and ducts. Bacteria, contaminants, and micro-organisms circulate with supposedly fresh air, and it only gets worse if the system is left unattended.

The best way to avoid these problems and prevent allergies, asthma attacks and even diseases such as Legionnaires disease is to keep your air conditioning system well-maintained, clean and regularly checked, by contacting a professional frequently to inspect and clean.

Did you know an HVAC service will be cheaper in Albany, GA than in Rutland, VT? That’s because costs will vary according to your location.

For a more accurate estimate, contact a local professional!

Carpet

A carpeted living room feels great, but it requires extra cleaning
A carpeted living room feels great, but it requires extra cleaning. Source: Edible Wilds

A carpeted room may feel great, but not only do they gather dust and bacteria, but they also have hazardous chemicals - especially synthetic carpets. The VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in new carpets are known to cause:

  • Headaches
  • Throat irritation
  • Eye irritation
  • Allergies
  • Mental confusion
  • Drowsiness

These toxins are even more dangerous for newborns and pets. While older carpets may not release these VOC toxins anymore, they still present dangers to your family’s health. Dust mites, contaminated dirt, and all sorts of toxic substances can be carried indoors on our shoes.

What can you do about it?

First of all, a high-quality vacuum cleaner is essential if you have carpets. Then you need to schedule a carpet cleaning (made by a professional service) - they’ll know how to clean and which products to use to reduce your indoor air pollution. Plus, it’ll help if you leave the shoes at the door!

Air Fresheners

You can use an essential oil diffuser to freshen up your home.
You can use an essential oil diffuser to freshen up your home. Source: Reader’s Digest

Store-bought air fresheners pack heavy chemical fragrances, who emit toxic pollutants at levels that may bring health risks to your family. Many clean-air advocates even compare this toxicity to be on the same level of secondhand smoke.

Here are better alternatives for air fresheners:

Cleaning Products

Make your own homemade cleaning products to avoid harsh chemicals.
Make your own homemade cleaning products to avoid harsh chemicals. Source: Live Simply

Most cleaning products contain chemicals that are bad for your health, mainly aerosol sprays, chlorine bleach, and oven cleaners. Mixing cleaning products can also be quite dangerous and you should never risk it!

Your best pick would be DIY cleaning products, most of which use as base baking soda and white vinegar.

However, you could also take advantage of a professional cleaning service to have a spotless home!

How to Improve Air Quality at Home

There are many ways you improve air quality in your home, and here are the best ones:

Keep your HVAC regularly maintained

One of the best ways to improve air quality in your home is to keep your AC and HVAC systems well-maintained. Contact a professional regularly to inspect, clean, and remove debris from the units, vents, and ducts.

House Plants

Philodendron is a great option to add to your home.
Philodendron is a great option to add to your home. Source: homeyou

Plants are already natural humidifiers, but they can also improve air quality and refresh indoor environment, by:

  • Reducing carbon dioxide levels;
  • Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide;
  • Reducing airborne dust levels.
  • Purifying the air.

For the maximum effect, here are the top indoor plants for removing toxins:

  • Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”)
  • Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
  • Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum "Mauna Loa")
  • Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
  • Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis)
  • Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta)
  • Philodendron (Philodendron sp.)
  • Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Keep It Clean

Keeping your home clean and clutter-free is one of the best ways to avoid indoor air pollution.
Keeping your home clean and clutter-free is one of the best ways to avoid indoor air pollution. Source: Country Living

A clean house is a healthy house. Avoid dust, mold, pet dander, and other air polluters away from your home by keeping it clean, clutter-free and changing bedding and drapes regularly.

Don’t have time or patience to clean your home thoroughly? Then hire a cleaning professional to come by your home regularly. The investment is well worth it to keep your family healthy.

Get a free quote for a professional cleaning service here!

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