Indoor air quality starts to become a concern in winter months as we start to spend more time indoors, and less time opening windows to let in fresh air. Here are 5 tips to improving your indoor air quality and ensuring your family stays healthy all winter long.
Keep your house tidy
Regular dusting, sweeping, mopping, and wiping are all effective ways to keep the dust in your home at bay. You do not need to be obsessive about cleaning, but things like removing shoes when entering the house and dusting surfaces once a week will make a difference in your air quality.
Keep your pets bathed and groomed
Fido might be adorable but his dander and fur are not! And as the weather outside gets colder, your pet will most likely be spending more time indoors just like you. Make sure to brush and wash regularly, as well as wash any bedding or soft toys to keep the dander at a minimum.
Keep humidity down
Mould is a serious health risk in itself causing symptoms ranging from a runny nose to asthma attacks and other respiratory tract issues. Make sure the humidity in your home is under 30% in the winter and under 45% in the summer. Use ventilation and fans when cooking, showering, and other activities that generate moisture. Run a dehumidifier if you need to, and make sure there are no water leaks in your house.
Make use of Indoor plants
One NASA study showed that there are some plants that help to purify the air to an extent from chemicals that have been linked to eye irritation and headaches - benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia. These chemicals can be found in seemingly innocent household objects such as napkins, cabinetry, paints, rubber, and household cleaners. Peace Lily and Florist’s Chrysanthemum are two of the most effective plants for helping to remove some of these toxins from the air.
Have your ducts cleaned
Your air ducts are home to dust, dirt, mould, bacteria, construction garbage, flakes of skin and hair. These contaminants are released into the atmosphere of your home, causing indoor air pollution, and environmental sensitivity. The air ducts require periodic cleaning to reduce these airborne contaminants and to create a cleaner safer home for you and your family.
Georgian Duct Cleaning is a family owned business in Simcoe County with over 20 years experience working with residential, commercial and industrial HVAC ducts. Call us for a free quote or for more information. (705) 722-5952 Or 1-800-363-2563