Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has been encouraged to stay at home and only go out for essentials. Since most of us are spending our time indoors, we need to keep our home air quality as breathable as possible. Poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to our family’s health, and we must keep our home free from any harmful airborne viruses. Here are some strategies to ward off indoor air pollution in our homes.
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1Get clean air the natural way
Open your windows every morning for at least 15 minutes to invite fresh air and to release the buildup of unhealthy air pollutants. Spruce up your home with plants that can filter toxic air compounds. The sight of greenery can also elevate your mood and improve your emotional well-being. Keep your trash correctly covered, and practice proper waste segregation to avoid attracting pests and prevent the foul-odor smell from wafting around your house. Switch to beeswax candles since they serve as natural air purifiers. When burned, beeswax candles produce negative ions that will attach to positive ions such as dust, pollens, and toxins, thereby purifying the air in the process. In the bedrooms, place essential oils such as oregano, cinnamon, thyme, and tea tree oils, as these can fight off airborne bacteria.
Regularly groom your pets, especially if your loved ones have asthma, since pet danders can trigger an allergic reaction. Get rid of mold in your bathroom with more sustainable cleaning products such as citrus seed extract, vinegar, tea tree oil, and baking soda. Opt to keep your shoes outside and routinely disinfect them.
2Improve your home ventilation
Household activities such as washing and cooking can increase moisture levels, encouraging mold and mildew growth. Having adequate ventilation is essential to prevent asthma attacks or even simple coughs. Install exhaust fans in bathrooms, preferably with a timer, to ensure that your bathroom gets proper ventilation without increasing your electricity consumption. If possible, dry your laundry outside and avoid putting wet and dirty clothes in your hamper for long periods.
Consider placing your kitchen stove outside, or make sure that your kitchen windows are open whenever you cook. Keep your range hoods adequately maintained and free from grease and dents. When cooking, switch to cooking oils with high smoke temperature to avoid the smell of burnt oil.
3Keep your home equipment properly maintained
Ensure that your air purifiers, air conditioning units, and HVAC system are regularly serviced and cleaned. For your air purifiers, research the proper cleaning method as it varies for different brand models. Change your ac filters so that they can efficiently keep dust, pollens, molds, and bacteria at bay. A good-quality filter can last around three to six months, so make sure to get a reliable service vendor.
We are currently in a fight with an unseen and dangerous enemy. Keeping our homes clean and virus-free is crucial to keep our families safe and healthy during these uncertain times. Clean and fresh indoor air should be a priority in every household.
