How to Improve Indoor Air Quality – Breathe Easy

#1 Clean Thoroughly and Often

One of the easiest ways to keep indoor air quality high is to maintain the cleanliness of your home.

Make sure to dust at least once a week, more if dust tends to accumulate quickly. Don’t forget to dust the tops of fans and hard-to-reach cabinets and shelves, especially since the dust from those surfaces are likely to spread into the air.

Sweep the floor to keep debris from circulating in the air, and clean your surfaces weekly. If you have carpets, vacuum frequently to avoid dust, pollen, and pet dander from nesting. Vacuum pet hair and dander from furniture as well, and avoid clutter, which tends to trap dust and allow mold to accumulate in the corners and crevices of rooms.

Allergens also love to live in bedding and on pillows, so take the time to wash linens, bedding, blankets, and pillow cases about once a week as well.

#2 Ventilate and Dehumidify

When it comes to air quality, it’s important to find ways for fresh air to circulate and contaminated air to escape.

Even in colder months, keeping windows and doors cracked every once in a while can help to get fresh air moving through the home. When cooking, make sure you have a fan or exhaust hood to keep smoke from accumulating indoors.

Air purifiers and dehumidifiers can be helpful purchases if someone in your family is especially sensitive to allergens or has asthma.

Dehumidifiers will help mold from growing, especially if you live in an area with extra high humidity levels most of the year.

If you have forced heating and air, it’s also crucial to change your filters regularly.

Filters can trap irritants, rather than allowing them to circulate throughout your home.

#3 Switch to Hardwood Flooring

Believe it or not, your floors could be contributing to poor air quality in your home as well. Hardwood flooring not only looks nice but is also much better for the air quality of your home. It’s much easier to keep hardwood floors clean and clear of dust, pollen, and other allergens than it is to vacuum carpets as often as you need to, especially if you have pets. Moreover, choosing a hardwood flooring company that commits to zero added formaldehyde will take your pure air quality a step further.

Luckily, when it comes to hardwood floors, there are plenty of options to choose from in terms of color and style. You can find a hardwood flooring option that will match your home’s charm while also keeping your air clear of allergens and irritants.

#4 Keep Plants Outside

Though houseplants are beautiful and can add style to a room, indoor plants actually tend to trap and foster the growth of harmful mold, which can be very triggering for people sensitive to air quality.

While plants also release oxygen, people with allergies often still have more issues with plants than those benefits are worth. If someone in your home is having issues with allergies or asthma, consider taking away your houseplants and opting for outdoor gardens as your connection to nature.

By bringing the plants outside, you can still enjoy them and have some green space while also keeping your air free of allergens and mold. Instead, try fake plants inside or some art that gives you the sense of nature inside your home.