There’s a notable difference between indoor and outdoor air. Ultimately, we spend a considerable amount of our time inside, so we want to do everything possible to optimize the quality of the air inside our own homes. Follow our list of tips on how to improve indoor air quality in a way that will elevate your standard of living.
1. Control Humidity Levels
Ideally, you’ll want to keep your home’s humidity level between 40 and 50%. Humidity levels that are too low can cause dryness and infections, while humidity levels above 60% can cause condensation. This can lead to rapid mold growth, which poses a host of health risks. Use humidifiers or dehumidifiers to help control your home’s humidity levels.
2. Properly Ventilate
You want to encourage healthy air flow throughout your home. When you can, open windows around the house to let the air circulate. Allow spaces such as attics and closets to breathe as well. If the air in your home contains a significant amount of dust and allergens, consider investing in an air purifier.
3. Keep Things Clean
Allergens can cling to fabric and build up over time, so you should clean your bedding, couch cushions, and carpets on a regular basis. This is especially important if you have pets, as dust mites and hair can also get caught in the fibers. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaners are great for anyone with allergies, as they’ll suck up minuscule particles and reduce the rate in which they are released back into the air.
4. Take Projects Outside
DIY projects are great, but some of them are best completed outdoors. Any projects that include painting, staining, or sanding should be done in an area with adequate ventilation. These projects all require materials with harmful chemicals, which you don’t want to linger inside of your home.
Along with the points above, here are a few additional things that you can do to improve the quality of your air:
- Use door mats to trap dirt
- Turn on oven vents to ventilate smoke
- Change out AC filters regularly
- Remember to dust forgotten areas such as the tops of shelves and bookcases
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