From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: Breathe Easy–How to Purify Your Home Air
The air inside your home may not be as clean as you think. In fact, every year people develop illnesses that are attributable to household air pollution, including eye irritation, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and nasal problems. However, you don’t have to settle for stale indoor air that’s high in chemical levels. There are several great ways to clean the air in your home.
Electrical Solutions
Air purifiers can be added to any living space. These systems operate quietly and work to exchange the clean the air. When you buy activated charcoal, you’re able to remove a wide range of toxins from the air. If you have smokers in the house, then you can even get a purifier that’s designed specifically tailored for cigar and cigarette smoke.
Salt Lamps
These lamps use a small bulb to heat crystalized salt and release negative ions. These neutralize the pollutants in the air in order to leave your home feeling more welcoming. It also emits a pleasant glow that’s very relaxing. It can even double as a nightlight in a child’s room, or you can use it to add ambiance to the main living area of your home.
Bring in the Green
Houseplants pull in the dirty air and release clean air. They can literally help you breathe better while adding some visual appeal to the space. They’re particularly effective at minimizing levels of benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. The best choices include Boston ferns, snake plants, English ivy, dragon tree, lady palm, and spider plants.
Upgrade to HEPA
HEPA filters capture smaller particles, so make the upgrade to these high-end filters for your furnace. When it’s time to buy a new vacuum cleaner, look for one that uses the HEPA filter. Change them regularly to maximize the benefits.
Vacuum Regularly
Regular vacuuming removes the dust, pollen and allergens from carpets. This reduces the contaminants that are kicked up to float in the air. A general rule of thumb is that you should vacuum one time a week for every living person or animal in the house. This means that a family of four should vacuum four days a week. If you have a family of four along with two cats and a dog, then you should vacuum every day in order to promote healthy indoor air.
Correct Moisture Levels
One of the best things you can do to improve indoor air quality is correct moisture levels. High humidity levels lead to mildew, mold and illness. If there are water problems anywhere in the home, have them repaired in order to keep the humidity levels down.
Make your home more enjoyable by improving your indoor air. Your home will smell and feel cleaner, and you’ll be able to invite people in with confidence. Whether you choose an electronic, manual, or natural solution, you’ll love how much better your home feels.
A heat recovery ventilation system can admit fresh air into the house without excessively increasing the power used by HVAC systems.
A central vacuum cleaner which exhaust outside will prevent vacuuming from discharging dust and toxins into the house. Filters on vacuum cleaners do not remove everything.
Many of us have seen the commercials which recommend “washing” the air with Fabreeze. Not a good idea. Air “fresheners” add substances to the air that we would be better off without.