Did you know that the air in your home is probably worse for you than outdoor air? According to the EPA, our indoor environment is two to five times more toxic than our outdoor environment, and in some cases indoor homes have been found to be 100 times more polluted.
And if you are doing some home DIY projects like installing new carpet or painting walls, this can release more chemicals that pollute indoor air.
Bad air can trigger coughing, chest tightness, sore throat, watery or itchy eyes, shortness of breath, and even a full-blown asthma attack if the air quality is bad enough and you are exposed to it on a consistent basis.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization have concluded that 80% of all cancers are attributed to environmental rather than genetic factors, including exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, many of which are found in household cleaning products.
Others sources of harmful air contaminants can include fumes from combustion devices and gas-fired appliances, not to mention allergens such as pet dander, house dust mites, and mold.
The good news is that there many easy and affordable ways to remedy your home of bad air. Below are a few solid suggestions…
Keep the AC Running
If you have an AC, using it a lot will help cleanse the air because many pollutants are water-soluble and air conditioners remove water from the air, along with the pollutants – such as pollen and particulate matter.
Air conditioning can keep humidity down and reduce dust mite allergens. If you don’t have air conditioning you can also use a dehumidifier for this.
Increasing ventilation will also help. Unfortunately if you live in a highly populated / heavy traffic area – particulate & gas emissions from cars and trucks, industrial pollution and such would make the outside air not much better than the inside. Keeping a good air flow is better overall though.
**You can increase ventilation a bit using a trickle vent, which is a fitting that allows for a small flow of air in small enclosed space as a supplement to main ventilation systems. You can adjust a trickle vent to your window to let fresh air in, and escort indoor pollutants out.
Decorate Your Home With Air Purifying Plants
One of the best things you can do to purify the air in your home is by decorating your home with plants that naturally clean the air.
Some of the best to use are the Aloe plant, English Ivy, Bamboo Palm, the Spider plant and Golden Pothos — all of which are on NASA’s list of the best air-purifying plants. English Ivy is #1 on NASA’s list because of its amazing air filtering properties, absorbing chemicals like formaldehyde.
Use Pure Beeswax Candles
Most candles people buy are petroleum derived and can release chemicals like benzene, toluene, soot and other chemicals into the air. Replacing your candles with pure beeswax candles on the other hand will have an opposite, positive effect on your air quality. These candles burn with almost no smoke and actually clean the air by releasing negative ions into the air. These negative ions can bind with toxins and help remove them from the air.
Buy Some Salt Lamps
Just like pure beeswax candles, salt lamps work by releasing negative ions to bind with toxins and remove them from the air. The lit salt crystal clears the air naturally of allergens like smoke, pet dander, pollens, and other air pollutants. Plus a Himalayan Salt Lamp just looks mystically cool and makes a great home decor addition 😉
Use No-VOC or Low-VOC Paints
After painting a room, trace amounts of gases called VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) can be released throughout the air for months. Although the paint appears to be fully dried and you can no longer smell that fresh paint, the particulates can still be a problem. Some of these VOCs are highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Use “low-VOC” paints, or ideally a no-VOC paint.
Be Wary of the Chemicals You Introduce
Above all you should mind what kind of chemicals you introduce into your home through cleaning products, hygienic products and other chemically laced products. Do your research and learn what types of products you use are best for air quality and purity.
Buy a Purifying Air Filter Machine
Once all the natural means are utilized, you can go one step further and buy a air filter machine to purify your air efficiently and effectively. Honeywell’s Compact Air Purifier with Permanent HEPA Filter is a best seller on Amazon. The HEPA-type filter captures up to 99% of mold spores, pollen, pet dander, smoke and dust. Comes with an optional ionizer for extra cleaning power.