Briiv air purifier helps to improve indoor air quality
Fresh air is so important for our health and well-being and whilst many of us believe that the air outdoors is what we should be worried about when it comes to pollution, indoor air quality often poses the biggest threat to our health. A 2019 study from Clean Air Day revealed that ultrafine particle pollution is on average 3.5 times higher inside the home than outside. The main sources of indoor air pollution tend to be smoking, cooking (particularly on a gas stove), shower gels, cleaning products, decorating paint, scented candles, wood-burning stoves, and airborne mould spores created in damp rooms. Much of this pollution goes completely unnoticed in our homes, that is, until we start to become sick. But what can we do to prevent the air in our homes from becoming so polluted?
1. Use Plants to Purify the Air
Plants from Patch Plants in the bathroom
As if we need an excuse to add more plants to our homes. Plants like spider plants, peace lilies, and rubber plants don’t just look pretty—they’re natural air purifiers. These leafy wonders absorb toxins, release oxygen, and purify the air in our homes, even while we sleep. Just don’t forget to water them—dead plants do absolutely nothing for your air quality.
2. Invest in an Air Purifier
The only problem with plants is that it is difficult to measure the impact that they are having on the indoor air quality in our homes. For that reason, it might be worth investing in some tech that can precisely report on the air quality and take action when needed.
Air purifiers suck up pollutants, allergens, and even funky smells, leaving the air cleaner and less polluted. Look for one with a HEPA filter to tackle microscopic particles, and position it in the rooms where you spend the most time like the living room and bedroom.
We have been using the Hoover Air Purifier 700 for a couple of years now and I find it really comforting to know that it is measuring the humidity, air quality, and pollen levels and can make changes to improve indoor air quality when needed. It all just happens in the background without us having to worry about it.
3. Install Water-Cooled Air Conditioning
If you’re looking to improve indoor air quality while keeping your space refreshingly cool, it’s time to consider water air conditioning. Unlike traditional air conditioners that rely solely on air to cool your home, water-cooled systems use water as part of the cooling process, making them more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
These systems don’t just keep your home at the perfect temperature—they also help with air quality. By maintaining steady humidity levels and circulating air more efficiently, water-cooled air conditioning reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, and stale air hanging around your house. The good news is they’re quieter than standard AC units.
4. Don’t Forget to Vacuum
The Oreck Magnesium RS Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming might not be your favourite chore, but it’s non-negotiable when it comes to good indoor air quality. Dust, pet hair, and crumbs are all just lying in wait to be stirred up and inhaled. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to make sure you trap even the smallest of particles. Don’t forget those hard-to-reach spaces like under the furniture and in corners where dust tends to gather. You should also be vacuuming your furniture especially if you have pets. A vacuum cleaner designed especially for pet owners is always a good choice if you’re trying to keep your home clean when you have pets.
5. Keep a Handle on the Humidity
Staying in control of humidity levels in your home is an important way to improve indoor air quality. Too much humidity leads to mould and mildew growth, which can release spores into the air. Mould contributes to allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions and can increase the risk of bacteria and viruses. If you find yourself suffering from regular headaches, eye and skin irritation, sinus congestion, and stuffiness, the humidity levels in your home may be too high. Aim for a sweet spot of 30-50% humidity. A dehumidifier can help during sticky summers, while a humidifier saves the day in dry winters. Balance is key.
6. Open Those Windows
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
As soon as winter arrives and temperatures plummet, we tend to keep all our doors and windows shut to keep the heat in. However, this isn’t great for our indoor air quality. In Germany, they have a special term for opening windows in the winter and it is part of the culture. “Stoßlüften” translates to “shock ventilation” or “burst ventilation” and involves opening windows wide for a short time to let fresh air in and stale air out.
Opening the windows for just 10-15 minutes a day can do wonders for air circulation, providing you don’t live somewhere where the air outside is particularly polluted.
7. Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Seep plastic-free cleaning products
Many household cleaning products contain chemicals that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Swap out harsh cleaners for non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives. Your lungs (and the planet) will thank you.
I recently attended a workshop where we made our own cleaning solutions from natural materials including vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and essential oils. I was massively impressed by just how well they cleaned my home and I have been using them ever since. It’s great to know that you can reduce the toxic load of your home by switching to natural cleaning products.
I have also switched to plastic-free, organic, natural cleaning products made from wood and natural sponge. These don’t contain toxins, are biodegradable and don’t shed micro-plastics.
9. Say Goodbye to Carpets (Or Clean Them Religiously)
I hired a Rug Doctor to clean my carpets and was disgusted
Carpets are cosy and warm, but they’re also a magnet for dust, allergens, and bacteria. If possible, consider replacing carpets with hard flooring. It is much easier to see when hard flooring is dirty which will prompt you to vacuum more often.
If replacing your carpets isn’t an option, make sure you vacuum and clean them frequently to keep allergens at bay. I was totally disgusted when I hired a Rug Doctor Carpet Cleaner to see just how much filth came out of my seemingly clean carpet. The water was dark brown and it made me realise how much dirt goes unnoticed in our carpets.
10. Add an Essential Oil Diffuser
When we want our homes to smell nice, we often opt for scented candles or plug-in diffusers that pump toxic chemicals into our homes. If you must use candles, opt for candles made from soy or beeswax instead. An essential oil diffuser is a much better option if you are trying to improve indoor air quality. Oils like eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree not only smell amazing but also have natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
11. Upgrade Your Kitchen Ventilation
We vented our cooker exactor outside when we did our kitchen makeover
Cooking releases fine particles and grease into the air, especially when frying. A range hood with proper ventilation can suck up these nasties and prevent them from spreading throughout your home. If possible make sure your kitchen extraction system vents outside and doesn’t simply recirculate the air.