Categories
Most people think about fueling their bodies through proper nutrition and increasing their caffeine intake. However, the oxygen that we get through breathing good quality air is an important way in which we fuel our biological processes – everything from movement and exercise to thinking and proper mental function. Besides the obvious methods of keeping things clean and preventing mildew and grime, there are many other tried-and-true methods for improving the indoor air quality of your home – most of them energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Reducing Indoor Smoke: Keeping Cigarettes, Fire, and Ashes Outdoors
Tell guests, friends, and family members to keep cigarettes outside to prevent reactions such as asthmatic attacks. If you are concerned about air quality, be responsible about cleaning the chimney and hearth – enlist the help of professionals to be sure all creosote is removed from the chimney walls. If you cannot afford such professional assistance, you should not use your fireplace as it is a dangerous air safety hazard.
Circulate the Air: Freshening Air with Fans, Drafts, and Plants
When the weather is nice outside, take advantage of fresh drafts by encouraging air circulation, boosting the oxygen content of the air while naturally wafting poor scents out of the way. Ceiling fans are a fantastic way to circulate the air without taking up much space from a room. If you want an even greener air circulation option, host an indoor garden throughout your home with flowers, small shrubs, plants, and herbs. Naturally, they will consume the excess carbon dioxide in your home and replace it with fresh oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.
Stop Tracking in Dust and Dirt: Lose your Shoes at the Door
The dust particles on your shoes, no matter how clean you think they are, can be stampeded throughout the house, eventually filtering up into the air that you breathe. Taking off your shoes can eliminate these problems straight away, keeping the amount of indoor floor grime at bay. If you are in a work environment, or simply do not have the ability from keeping guests from wearing their shoes indoors, invest in a high-quality mat where feet can be wiped before entering your home. This way, the dust particles will be trapped in the mat, and can be easily vacuumed away.
Air Purification Machines: Monitoring Air Quality Electronically
An air purification machine might be a great addition to your home if you are concerned about air quality. Be sure that when you purchase an air purifier, it has earned a seal of approval from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which can guarantee the quality of the product and ensure that you and your family stay safe. Carbon Monoxide monitors can also ensure that you are keeping the air healthy at home – this chemical can be potentially lethal for both children and adults, and should be closely monitored by homeowners either through constant monitoring or periodic inspections from trained professionals.
Mold Reduction: Decreasing Moisture Trouble within Certain Areas of your Home
Mold thrives in warm and wet areas of the home – such as bathrooms, washrooms, and laundry rooms. Fortunately, there are many green cleaning products that can thoroughly remove mold using a little elbow grease – even plain vinegar on a washing cloth can do the trick. Be sure to counteract mold often, before it even makes an appearance – spores can develop without any obvious growths that are visible to the naked eye.
Repairs and Replacements: Keeping Machinery Clean and Properly Filtered
The filters of humidifiers, dehumidifiers, fan, and other heating and ventilation equipment need constant maintenance in order to prevent poor air quality issues. Replacements of filters should be done at least once a year, if not even more often depending on manufacturer recommendations. Midwesterners looking for assistance with dryer vent cleaning in Indianapolis should seek out the help of professionals – amateurs and DIY cleaning projects with this heavy duty equipment can put your life and health at risk, and cause further damage within your expensive equipment.
Fabric Clean Sweep: Cleansing Upholstery Often to Prevent Dust Mites
Fabric can serve as a fantastic home for small critters, such as bed bugs and dust mites – but can even just serve to trap lots of extra dust that makes its way back into the air. Washing upholstery such as drapes and linens every three to four months will keep your home looking and smelling fresh, and will eliminate many of the problems presented by these dust traps.
Home Renovations that make a Difference: Skip the Carpeting, Opt for Hard Surfaces
Carpet has many of the same aforementioned issues that fabric has – a great home for mites and bugs, and often trapping excess dirt that cannot be removed with even industrial strength vacuums. When considering home renovations, select hard surface flooring that can be easily swept clean with minimal effort, so that air quality can benefit as well. Plus, sweeping is far more green of a chore than constant electrical vacuuming!
For more advice about green cleaning methods that can improve the air quality in your home or office space, you can speak to the experts at Airability HVAC. Through a consultation with these professionals, you can take care of all your heating, cooling, air conditioning, and ventilation concerns – which will mean better breathing and higher air quality throughout the spaces where you live and work.