Natural pollutants and toxic fumes are all around us – even though we cannot see them most of the time. This results in the reduction of quality indoor air that can impact on existing illnesses such as asthma, as well as contributing to ill health in general.
If you have tested your indoor air quality and are not happy with the results, it’s time to make improvements for the good of your health. Follow these tips to maximise your indoor air quality and help your family to breathe easy once more.
Cost Effective Air Quality Improvements
A lot of bad air is indoors because it is trapped. That is why airflow is such an important element in improving the quality of the air you are breathing. Keep windows and doors open during light traffic times to maximise air quality. Ideally, install a trickle ventilator to keep most of the toxic pollutants on the outside from getting in.
Think about the rooms in your home which will suffer most from poor air quality. In that respect, start with becoming more conscious of the airflow in your kitchen when you are cooking. It helps to focus your ventilation efforts in the kitchen to keep the air fresh and clean. Keep your kitchen clean in general as that is where there is the most potential for the breakdown of organic compounds to occur.
Your AC unit can negatively affect indoor air quality if it is not well maintained. Cleaning is especially important as it will help keep the air inside fresh. The key focus in this respect is keeping your AC filters clean. They are responsible for catching all the impurities from outside but pollutants will eventually build up and overwhelm the system’s filtering capabilities.
Your clothes and sheets are made from fabrics which can trap pollutants and pollen. You can greatly improve the quality of the air that you breathe by keeping those items that are closest to you clean. That means regularly cleaning clothes, sheets, curtains and cushions. If you have pets, do not allow them to climb on seating or beds and clean up hairs from shedding as often as you can.
There are certain houseplants that help maximise indoor air quality. Bamboo and ivy are two such examples that can convert toxins into breathable oxygen. Other options include Gerbera Daisy, Mass Cane, Janet Craig Dracaena, and Dracaena Warneckii. These plants make for great decoration while providing a valuable service.
Air Purifiers
If you live in an area that is close to a busy road or factories, the air quality in your home will most definitely suffer. A good air purifier can capture up to 99% of fine particles – many of which are otherwise contaminating your air. Using air purifiers in the rooms that experience the most sedentary traffic such as the living room and bedrooms is an effective way to improve the air that your family is breathing.
While the bathroom isn’t used as often as the living room or bedroom, there is still a need to improve the air quality in this room. Deodorants and perfumes can help mould to spread – especially when steam in thrown into the mix. Help disperse this potentially harmful concoction by running your ceiling fan or keeping the window and door open when the room is not in use.
Building Inspection Experts in the Northern Territory
If you are making improvements to your home to maximise indoor air quality, you may need the services of a building inspector. Call Houspect today on 1300 258 789 to find out how our services can help you ensure the success of your home improvement project.
