Print Shortlink

How to prevent air pollution in your home

Cold winter chimney roof

Your home is a place where you would love to relax after work and enjoy your time with your family. Apart from general cleanliness, having fresh air all around is something that contributes to a relaxed environment.

Whether you love to spend your time inside your house or outside, your home deserves fresh air.

“Many things can contribute to pollution in your home, e.g. heat, smoking, cleaning, furnishings and perfumes among others.” commented the Mortgage Saving Experts, “This makes the air in your home to have different sorts of unnecessary stuff like oxides of nitrogen, radon, carbon monoxide and other volatile chemicals.”

Air pollution can increase the chances of getting problems such as asthma and other breathing disorders. As much as it might be hard to get rid of some pollutants immediately, it is still possible to have fresh air in your home if you follow the tips below.

  1. Increase ventilation

Poor ventilation might be the reason why your home is stuffy. You cannot avoid activities such as cooking or heating your house, but you could make it more sustainable. Proper ventilation enables you to have a constant flow of fresh air and get rid of polluted air.

Open the windows and doors if possible. If a room in your house is far from any window, use a fan to create ventilation. Proper ventilation lowers humidity in your home which prevents the growth of mould in damp areas like bathrooms.

Another factor that can interfere with ventilation in your house is when you have too much clutter. You can consider decluttering your home. This makes your room more spacious and well ventilated. You might want to hire movers to help you move things that you don’t use in a storage company.

  1. Dealing with smoke pollution

A cigarette is a great air pollutant which produces smoke. If you have to smoke, find an open place outside far from your house. You should also avoid using candles indoors as they produce smoke.  If you have a fireplace, make sure that you fit it correctly so that carbon monoxide may not fill in your room. Add professional chimney sweeping to your list of chores.

  1. Use a doormat or an outdoor rug

Do you have an outdoor rug in your house? An outdoor rug reduces the amount of dirt and dust in your home. If you sweep your house and realize that it is dusty, know that most of it comes from outside.

A doormat reduces the amount of dust that you carry on your feet from outside. You may also ask those who get in your house to remove their shoes. Ensure that you put a shoe tray on your door.

  1. Avoid using harsh household cleaners

Did you know that most household cleaning supplies cause air pollution? Such detergents contain harsh chemicals that produce fumes. Those fumes are likely to irritate your nose, lungs, mouth and skin. If you have conditions such as asthma, your symptoms may get worse.

These detergents can cause inflammation which makes patients suffering from lung conditions to take too long to heal from infections. Apart from diseases, harsh chemical detergents also trigger allergies. You can use natural cleaning supplies to reduce such risks. You should also avoid cleaning supplies that contain limonene.

  1. Put houseplants in your house

Plants tend to reduce the levels of formaldehyde. Installing them helps your home to have fresh air. On the other hand, plants breathe in carbon (IV) oxide and eliminate oxygen which is fresh air. Add more greenery for beautiful indoor foliage.

  1. Avoid irritating perfumes

If you love using different fragrances, you should note that some of them are too strong and take long before they stop smelling. You can find less strong perfumes and avoid the irritating ones. In case you use them, ensure that your room is well ventilated.

  1. Keep paints and glues away

Some office supply such as paints and glues have a strong odour. If you keep them in your house, they pollute the air. You can keep them in a garage or any place away from your home.

  1. Allergens like mould, pet dander and pollen

Allergens such as mould can cause your home to have a stuffy smell. Mould occur mostly when your house is damp due to moisture. Poor ventilation also creates moisture in your house. You need to keep your room well ventilated.

Air pollution can cause adverse long-term effects like lung cancer. Always ensure that your home is well ventilated by using air filters. There are quite a few benefits of using a purifier in your home. Clean and vacuum your carpets regularly to avoid odour. Avoid smoking in your house and reduce the use of air fresheners.