When we consider pollution, most of us probably
immediately think of outdoor air quality. But, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollutants indoors may be up to 100 times worse than outside!
Better air quality
means less illness for the entire family, including your pets. Here are six organized ways to improve indoor air quality:
1. Vacuum often. For many people, vacuuming the
entire house at once may seem a bit daunting and time consuming. The more regularly you vacuum, however, the better your air quality will be.
All of your rooms should be vacuumed at least
once per week. If you have pets, then all rooms that your pets are in (especially when they're shedding) need to be vacuumed twice-a-week for the highest benefit.
Then, determine what vacuuming schedule works for your time and energy level.
I like vacuuming my home in short bursts. So, I tackle the living room and dining room on one day (these two rooms kind of meld into each other in my home). On another day, I'll tackle the master bedroom. Then on another day, my
daughter's bedroom and my home office get done (both of those rooms are located in the same area).
Depending on the layout of your home, you might vacuum differently, like doing the
entire first floor one day and the entire second floor the next day.
Whatever way that's easiest and fastest for you is the way you should do it.
2. Change your air filters. During the summer months, your air conditioner is sure to be getting a workout. A monthly air filter replacement is a must during this time of the year. So, be sure you're stocked up on
air filter replacements and ready to change them when they become dirty, dusted, and clogged.
3. Open your windows. Thinking back to when I was a kid, my mom always opened
all of our windows in our home this time of the year to, as she said, "air the house out." My hometown, New Jersey, in April is usually a bit chilly, so it was always a bit cold in our home when she did this. But I remember thinking how nice it was to get that fresh, cool breath of outdoor air, inside.
So, on the next sunny day (as long as you don't smell smoke or chemicals outside) open your windows and let the fresh air in. Doing so helps circulate stagnant air, dries excess moisture, and gives your home a fresh spring feeling.
By the way, be sure your screens are in good repair so you don't invite the bugs in along with the fresh air.
4. Use exhaust fans. Whether you're in the kitchen or the bathroom, always run your exhaust fans. Doing so will help remove odors, excess moisture, and stale air.
5. When it comes to plants.... There are many articles promoting the fact that plants can help improve air quality. It's a nice thought, but unfortunately it has been proven untrue. You'd have to stuff anywhere from 10 to 1,000 plants every few feet in a room to even make a slight difference.
So, certainly have and display plants if you'd like to, as long as nobody in your family is allergic to those plants...which would be thwarting any efforts to improve your home's air quality.
Faux plants are great if you keep them dusted. I know...there's always a caveat. Sigh.
6) Be sure to dust often. Speaking of dusting, that task has to be done often too. Be sure you're using a microfiber dusting cloth so you're removing the dust and not just moving it around.
