analysis: 7 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Reduce Air Pollution

Use Green (or Fragrance-Free) Cleaners

Notes:

• In-Home Pollutants:

  Ridding your home of mold, mildew, dust, allergens, and chemicals requires some extra work. Pollen clings to your jeans during picnics. Fido drags in dust and dander. A cracked window allows the neighbor’s tobacco smoke to sneak in.

• A streak-free, dustless, and otherwise pristine home requires just three things:
  • Harsh cleaning products (a la Lysol, Windex, and Clorox)
  • Some elbow grease to scrub those stains clean
  • A daily (or weekly) cleaning routine
• But did you know that those fresh-smelling, “magical” sprays are just a jumble of toxic chemicals that can damage your lungs when inhaled? That’s right! On your quest for a clean home, these culprits may be holding you back. Causing you to spritz breathing-disrupters like ammonia and ozone (smog) into your home’s airflow. (Yikes!)

• To Clean Or Not to Clean?

  The question isn’t, “To clean or not to clean?” It’s “How do I clean my home without putting my family in harm’s way?” The safest alternatives are green, eco-friendly, and non-toxic cleaners that evade these risks.

• These organic recipe brands are just as effective as the Lysol crew:

  • Mrs. Meyer’s [view]
  • PUR [view]
  • Seventh Generation [view]
  • Method Home [view]
  • The Honest Company [view]

• Don’t forget to stock up on green cleaners for everything. That means dish soaps, laundry detergents, countertop cleaners, and window sprays. Toss your old supply!

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  green cleaning productsgreen cleaning suppliescleaning gloves

Seal Those Windows (Air Leaks)

Notes:

• Cold Windows:

  Have you ever shuffled past your balcony door on a sub-zero afternoon and had a slight, freezing cold breeze send shivers down your spine? Congratulations! Even if you can’t see the gaps with your naked eye, you’ve discovered a leaky window that’s giving pollutants unlimited access to your home!

• That microscopic crack is now an entryway to everything:
  • Smoke (especially for apartment dwellers with inconsiderate neighbors)
  • Pollen and other allergens
  • Dust and dirt
  • Wildfire smoke or fumes
  • Smog or other city air pollutants
  • Some elbow grease to scrub those stains clean
• That explains the lingering cigarette or smoky stench, even when you clamp down windows and doors.

• How to Plug the Leak:

  The good news is that the solution costs less than $13/bottle or $11/roll. Gently rattle the exterior windows and doors in your apartment.

• If they shake:

  • Apply a fresh layer of caulk between your windows and their frames (it’s not a full-afternoon project; all you need is a tube of caulk and a caulk gun).
  • Stick custom-cut, self-adhesive foam weatherstripping to plug the gap.

• Both techniques can stop air leakage directly in their tracks. But the sealed-up leaky windows boast an additional benefit that homeowners applaud: Slashing your monthly energy bill (heating and cooling) by as much as 20%.

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  window insulation kitwindow caulkdoor draft stopper

Use HEPA Filters Everywhere

Notes:

• Filtering Pollutants:

  The first solution that comes to mind is often the simplest. In this case, that’d be filtering out the air pollutants before they begin terrorizing your air vents and fans.

• Enter the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, your partner in fresh air. HEPA filters are fine mesh that remove up to 99.97% of invisible airborne particles and purify air by as much as 55%.
• That includes:
  • Floating pet dander
  • Dust mites
  • Outdoor pollen (particularly during spring)
  • Mold and bacteria
  • Billowing smoke
• Nearly every item with a filter usually has a pricier, HEPA alternative. We’re talking about standalone A/C units, portable air purifiers, and indoor vacuums.

• How Do HEPA Filters Work?

  All HEPA filters follow the same general pattern:

  • Sucking up the air
  • Trapping pesky pollutants deep within its zig-zagging fibers
  • Releasing the purified air back into the room
• Keep in mind that HEPA filters do have a projected 6-12 month lifespan. Regular replacements can keep that indoor air crisp and allergens at a distance.

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  HEPA air filtersair purifiersair ventilators

Swap Out Candles & Air Fresheners

Notes:

• Burnt meatloaf, a litter box mishap, and under-sink leakage will overwhelm a home with flat-out grotesque aromas. When your nose revolts, what do you do? Light that evergreen candle or do a room-to-room Febreze sweep.
• But as pleasing and cozy as those aromas seem, research shows that many release harmful soot and lung irritants like benzene into the air.

• If you’re asthmatic (or health-conscious), there are safer alternatives for detoxifying your home and ridding the stink:

  • Essential oil diffusers
  • Vinegar and baking soda to absorb set-in stenches
  • Beeswax candles
  • Non-toxic, green air fresheners

• If you can’t imagine your unit without a three-wick candle from Bath & Body Works, limit those lightings to once or twice a week.

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  non toxic air freshenersbeeswax candlesessential oil diffuser

Control Humidity

Notes:

• When summer closes in, and those outdoor temperatures soar, rising humidity levels can put a damper on air quality — both inside and out! You know the sensation well. The thick air feels trapped in your lungs, and the excess moisture is a hotbed for that revolting summer mildew and mold growth.
• Get the humidity under control. Invest in a dehumidifier that can pull those water particles from the air. Keep your humidity below 50%, and don’t forget to dump the water bin every two days.

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  dehumidifiersmoisture absorbershumidifier

Add Plants

Notes:

• A potted Cyprus in the living room or cut daisies in the kitchen won’t magically revive ultra-purified air. But these species might cherry-pick some pollutants:
• Some ideas to consider:
  • Spider plants [view]
  • Peace lilies (beware: these plants can be toxic to cats) [view]
  • Barberton daisies [view]
  • Aloe vera [view]
  • Weeping fig [view]
• Many air-purifying plant species can undercut the formaldehyde or carbon dioxide invading your home. Even if they don’t … at least you’ve spruced up the joint!

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  house plants for air purifyingplant indoor lightplant water meter

Focus On Ventilation

Notes:

• Ventilation can either be your best pal or fiercest enemy on your air quality voyage. Leaving your windows wide-open might expose you to car exhaust or smoky hazes.
• The trick is proper ventilation in moderation, such as:
  • After cooking on the stove (carbon monoxide, formaldehyde)
  • Post-DIY project (paints, primers, and thinners)
  • On low-humidity days (when outdoor allergens are low)
• Crack open all exterior windows and doors from time to time to “unstuff” your air and allow the toxic fumes an escape route.

• CONCLUSION

  There’s no way to seal off your home from that muggy air pollution completely. Remnants will always seep in through your A/C system, window cracks, and open doors. But you can filter it out before it triggers an allergic attack or moldy grime.

• The answer lies in a cutting-edge home air quality monitor. These tabletop sensors will detect the culprits depriving you of fresh indoor air, including nitrogen dioxide, wheeze-inducing humidity, and carbon monoxide.
• Never again question, “Is my air clean?” Discover the answer and reverse course!

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  home ventilationexhaust fanattic fan

• What comments can you share about
  improving the air quality in your home

Author bio:
Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Copper Beech at Greenville to help them with their online marketing.