With so much pollution created by cars and factories, it might be surprising to know that sometimes the air quality of your home might be worse than outside. These air pollutants should be taken seriously as they can harm your family’s health.

One of the main sources of air pollutants is volatile organic compounds (VOC), which are released from varnishes, air fresheners, glues, and other household products. Your family could also be sensitive to allergy triggers like mold, pollen, or secondhand smoke. Learn about the ways you can improve the indoor quality of your home.

Clean and Vacuum Often

Most people don’t enjoy the weekly house chores, but they’re essential to stave off dangerous air pollutants. You should have a vacuum cleaner fitted with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which traps tiny particles like pollen and tobacco smoke. It might also be a good idea to invest in microfiber mops, which capture more dust and dirt. And don’t forget door mats, so the pollutants don’t even enter your home.

Get Air Purifying Plants

Image via Flickr by Ezra S F

Who would have thought that by having the right plants in your home, you’d also be cleaning the indoor air? A study by NASA shows that plants, apart from absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen, also remove harmful pollutants, therefore purifying the air in the home. So, you should consider getting plants like peace lilies, English ivy, or marginatas to do the hard work for you.

Improve Your Ventilation System

It’s important to make sure you always have fresh air coming into your house. Sometimes just opening the windows won’t do the trick, and you may need to improve your ventilation system. Energy recovery ventilators pre-filter incoming air, making it fresher, and also lower the bills by using the energy from stale hot air coming out.

Avoid Synthetic Air Fresheners

Air fresheners can be a dangerous source of toxic substances. One study says they can release over 20 different types of volatile organic compounds, and most fragrances contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt hormones in animals. You should avoid them like the plague, and consider creating your own homemade air freshener.

Ban Smoking From Your Home

Smoking is bad for your health, but did you know secondhand smoke is a big contributor to air pollution in households? So, if you smoke or let anyone smoke in your home, your family is at risk of developing respiratory problems, cancer, and other illnesses like ear infections. You should quit smoking or only smoke outside.

Control the Humidity Levels

A home with too much moisture in the air is the perfect environment for mold and dust mites, so humidity levels should be kept between 30 and 50 percent. If they are too high, you should use dehumidifiers, and make sure to use exhaust fans when taking showers or cooking.

All in all, it’s just a matter of finding the usual suspects and tackling the problem before it starts. When you take the time to improve the indoor air quality of your home, you’re also ensuring your family won’t suffer from respiratory problems or allergic reactions.