While keeping your home tightly sealed in the summer and winter offers many benefits, it can make your indoor air quality suffer due to the buildup of pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollen, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In fact, your home’s air can be more tainted than the outdoor air.
Fortunately, you can follow these simple property maintenance steps to make your indoor air as clean and safe as possible.
Get Houseplants
Putting your green thumb to work by investing in houseplants can help you improve your air quality. Some houseplants can pull formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and other toxins out of the air. Some good choices include:
- Chrysanthemums
- Snake plants
- Aloe vera
- Spider plants
- English ivy
- Azaleas
Besides cleaning your air, these indoor plants also make your living spaces more beautiful.
Change Your Filters Regularly
Your air filters trap particulates while they’re traveling through your heating and air conditioning systems. When they become dirty, they may not effectively prevent the circulation of dust-laden air throughout the house. They also stifle the airflow through your HVAC system, reducing its efficiency. Make sure you check your filters regularly and replace them when they look dirty.
Be Wary of Some Household Cleaning Products
Some cleaning products contribute to poor indoor air quality. Harsh cleaners, cleaners with strong added fragrances, and solvent-based cleaners can fill your home with harmful chemicals. Opt for healthier, non-toxic cleaners such as those that use plant-based ingredients and don’t have any artificial dyes or fragrances. Even better, you can make your own using natural cleaning agents such as baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils.
Get Your HVAC System Checked and Serviced
Regular HVAC maintenance is key to boosting your home’s air quality. Mold and dust can collect in your HVAC equipment. Your heating system can leak dangerous gases into your home’s air if it’s not serviced regularly. Have a professional HVAC contractor maintain and clean your heating and cooling equipment regularly to promote good air quality.
Remodel Wisely
If you’re considering a remodeling project soon, take the quality of your home’s air into consideration when choosing products. Many home remodeling products release VOCs into the air. Some flooring options such as vinyl and carpeting can emit harmful VOCs. Opt for healthier materials such as mold-resistant drywall, Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwood flooring, and GREENGUARD Gold certified windows. Use low-VOC or zero-VOC paint.
Detoxify Your Bedroom
You spend a substantial part of your life in your bedroom, so it’s a good idea to make it non-toxic. Common sources of the toxins lurking in your bedroom are the chemicals contained in your textiles, linens, conventional mattresses, carpeting, and furniture. Buy bedroom products and furnishings that are organic, low-VOC or low-formaldehyde. Some of the safer options worth purchasing include hypoallergenic mattress covers and pillows, non-toxic sheets, and eco-foam mattresses.
Improving the quality of your air can make a significant difference in your health and comfort. Are you interested in learning more about indoor air quality?
Contact the experts at B.A. Morrison, a leader in the Castro Valley HVAC industry.
We’ve been offering HVAC installation, repair and service, general construction, remodeling and property maintenance services to both residential and commercial customers in Bay Area cities and towns since 1990. Thanks to our close relationship with leading manufacturers in the HVAC industry, we offer the most advanced products available today and timely, quality services at fair prices. We’ll be happy to walk you through the options that will improve your home’s air quality. Call us at 510-538-9817 or use our online form with your questions.