The Air You Breathe - Big Y® World Class Market®

9 Ways to Clear the Air in Your Home

There’s been a great deal of press about improving the air quality in our cities, much discussion over what we can do to reduce smog, pollution, carbon monoxide and other environmental problems in our outdoor spaces. But what about the air quality in your own space? You spend more time living in— and breathing in — your home than anywhere else. “Greening” your home is a great way to keep yourself healthier (and it’s good for the environment, too).

Go green - literally. Besides adding beauty to your living space, live houseplants have been proven to create cleaner air. Plants add much-needed oxygen and moisture to the atmosphere, while sucking chemicals
and contaminants out of the air. Have at least 15 plants around your home for the maximum benefit. An added bonus: Studies have shown that people who are surrounded by plants have lower blood pressure, are more productive and even recover from illness faster.

Stub out cigarettes. Banning smoking from your home is just about the most important thing you can do for the air there.

Keep moisture under control. Making sure your house isn’t too humid will help prevent mold from taking hold. Use exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom; use a dehumidifier in the basement or crawl space if necessary (just make sure to regularly replace its filter and empty its drip pan). Aim to keep your home’s humidity between 30 and 50 percent.

Keep it clean! Cleaning regularly will keep everyday deposits of dust, dirt and pet hair from becoming airborne and turning into pollutants.

But clean smart. Using a feather duster will just send dust and dirt scattering
into the air, where you’ll breathe them in. Instead, use a magnetic duster cloth or a damp rag, which will trap everything. The same goes for sweeping; use your vacuum instead of a broom for cleaner air.

Consider the chemicals you use. Many household cleansers and other products contain harsh chemicals that can send volatile, unhealthy fumes into the atmosphere. Whenever possible, use milder cleansers, and purchase spray-trigger bottles rather than aerosol.

Let the outside in. Open your windows to let fresh air circulate at least once in a while — it will usher out stale air and indoor pollutants as well. Keep doors between rooms open and consider
running a fan for even better circulation.

Maintain, maintain, maintain. Keep your home’s heater and air conditioner in good shape with regular checkups. Be sure to replace and/or clean their filters as recommended by their manufacturers.
If possible, get High Efficiency Particulate (HEPA) filters, which can trap tiny particles that other filters would let back into your home’s air.

Test the air. Invest in several carbon monoxide detectors and place them around your home next to the smoke detectors. They’ll sound an alarm if the deadly gas reaches dangerous levels in your home. You might also want to consider testing the air for radon, which is a gas that is found naturally in the soil. Radon has been linked to lung cancer, so if it’s detected in your home, you’ll need to seal cracks and install vents under your house.