Is the air inside your home causing your health problems?
All over the world, air pollution has become prevalent. Exposure to pollutants raises a person’s risk of developing lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory infections, heart disease, and stroke. In the United Kingdom, air pollution is shortening the lives of an estimated 40,000 people. It currently is one of the greatest threats to public health.
For most people, to escape air pollution, they take refuge inside their respective homes. However, are you sure that the air that you are breathing is safe? From finding carpet cleaners in London to buying houseplants, here are some tricks to purify the air inside your home:
Get Rid of Allergens
Regularly cleaning your home should be part of your regular routine. Although you do not see them, your home is teeming with allergens which are causing you or a member of your family to sneeze nonstop.
One common problem is dust mites, little critters that hide in just about every area in your house, even in the bed where you sleep. To get rid of dust mites, the key is to keep the humidity low. According to experts, dust mites do not thrive in a dry environment. Set the humidity to below 35% to 30%. You can get a dehumidifier to ensure that there is no moisture in the air to encourage dust mites to proliferate.
At least once a week, use a vacuum cleaner — specifically one that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter — on your upholstered furniture, drapes, and carpet.
The carpet is the perfect hiding place for dust mites. If removing it was not an option, aside from regular vacuuming, deep cleaning your carpet once a year should be part of your plans. You can do the task by yourself; there are plenty of tutorials to guide you all over the internet, or hire a professional to give your carpet a proper cleaning.
Install Trickle Vents
During winter, it is only natural to keep the windows closed to prevent the warm air from escaping from the house. Now that the weather is warmer, it is tempting to open the windows so you can enjoy the refreshing breeze.
However, doing so could be inviting outdoor pollutants to enter your home. Experts recommend using trickle ventilation — a screen with extra filters — to remove dirt, mold, and smoke particles from vehicles and factories from the air. That way, you can still enjoy the air but without the pollution.
Open the Windows When You Cook
You may not know this but every time you use your stove to cook meals, you are emitting nitrogen dioxide, one of the most irritating gases. It produces ozone when exposed to sunlight. Inhaling air that contains ozone may cause breathing difficulties.
The simple solution is to open the windows every time you cook or turn the fan hood on. You should also set a schedule with a technician to clean and service the stove and other appliances that use gas annually.
Get Plants
Houseplants are not just there for aesthetics. They also clean the air you breathe.
A 1989 NASA study proved that plants have the ability to grab harmful toxins out of the air, especially in enclosed spaces. In exchange, they exhale fresh oxygen.
Spider plants are popular among those who do not have experience taking care of houseplants. They are easy to keep alive because they do not require exposure to direct sunlight. Spider plants are also safe if you have pets around the house.
The quality of the air you breathe has a significant effect on your overall well-being. Doing the tips mentioned above can help you relax and breathe easily inside your own home.
