Strategies for Purifying Home Air, as Suggested by Professionals
Modern living spaces provide countless comforts, keeping you cozy in winter and refreshingly cool in summer. But, there's a catch – the air in these secluded retreats might grow stale, filled with dust, dirt, and microscopic irritants. Even seemingly harmless organic compounds from cooking, laundry, candles, pets, and cleaning supplies can accumulate over time, causing discomfort for your respiratory system.
Addressing this challenge, we've gathered insights from medical experts and allergists to offer solutions for improving your home's air quality.
Leave those boots outside
- If feasible, keep your outdoor shoes at the entrance or store them in a closet by the door. The soles of your shoes act as carriers, transporting mold, bacteria, viruses, herbicides, and feces, potentially harmful pollutants. Tracks these pollutants into your house with less-than-ideal ventilation, increasing your likelihood of breathing them in.
Insight: Keeping your shoes outside reduces the amount of outdoor pollutants entering your living space.
It's perfectly fine to skip making the bed
- In the first 30 minutes to an hour after waking up, forgo making your bed. Dust mites prefer warm and moist surfaces found in your bedding, particularly in the aftermath of your sleep. Leaving your bed unmade helps it cool and dry out, creating a less enticing environment for these pests.
Insight: Leaving your bed unmade for a short while facilitates airing out and cooling, thus discouraging dust mites.
Grappling with mold – keep a wary eye
- Mold is a sneaky menace that begins discreetly but can swiftly escalate. This fungus typically swarms on surfaces, particularly appreciating warm and damp conditions. Regularly monitor areas for any mold growth signs like musty odors and dark stains. Take quick action to eliminate the problem, and use effective cleaning products to eradicate mold. In rooms prone to moisture, invest in dehumidifiers to curb mold growth.
Insight: Mold is prolific in warm and wet areas. Regular monitoring, prompt action, and proper cleaning help control its growth.
Embrace mother nature's fresh breeze
- Open the windows whenever possible – even in kitchens and bathrooms equipped with ventilation systems. This is especially crucial following cooking, showering, and cleaning. Since your ventilation system may only recirculate air, leave the nearest window ajar for efficient ventilation. Remember to de-grease window screens and clean filters twice a year to promote optimal performance.
Insight: Open windows to circulate fresh air and exhaust any pollutants built up by kitchen and bathroom activities.
Air purifiers make an excellent breath of fresh air
- Air purifiers effectively remove up to 99% of particulates, including pollen and dander. Look for a purifier rated MERV-13 or above, ensuring superior filtration efficiency. For homes without central air, standalone HEPA filtration units are just as effective in individual rooms. Place them in areas of frequent use, such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Insight: Air purifiers efficiently clean the air by collecting pollutants and allergens, promoting a clean breathing environment.
Keep your pets on a squeaky clean leash
- Regularly groom your pets, using a pet-brush vacuum attachment, and cleaning their paws to keep fur and dander to a minimum. This not only makes snuggle time more enjoyable but also reduces the spread of pollutants and allergens from your pets to your furniture and bedding.
Insight: Regularly grooming your pets keeps their dander and fur in check, reducing the transfer of allergens and pollutants to your living space.
Patrol diligently for dust
- Modern homes may only require weekly dusting, but older structures or poorly-ventilated homes may need more frequent cleaning. Employ a damp rag when dusting (water molecules adhere to dust particles), reaching shelves, windowsills, and tight spots. Regular cleaning goes hand-in-hand with a minimalist approach, allowing easiness in tackling the chore.
Insight: Regular dusting with appropriate cleaning materials promotes a cleaner breathing environment, especially beneficial in an organized, clutter-free space.
- Martha Stewart emphasizes the importance of keeping indoor temperature and air quality in check for optimum wellness living, suggesting the use of air purifiers to combat air pollution.
- In her book on 'Cleaning Organizing', Martha Stewart advises opening windows regularly, particularly after cooking or cleaning, to improve indoor air quality and reduce the concentration of harmful irritants.
- To maintain a healthy living environment, as recommended by Martha Stewart, one should consider cleaning their home's airways, including corners, and surfaces that collect dust and allergens regularly.
- By following Martha Stewart's recommendations for a wellness-focused living space, homeowners can thankfully breathe in fresher, cleaner air, promoting better overall health and comfort at home.
