Guide to Preventing Air Pollution in the House

A lot of people don’t realize that air pollution inside the home can be just as bad as outside, if not worse! Did you know that the air inside your home can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside?

Pollutants like second-hand smoke, dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, cleaning products, and off-gassing from furniture can build up over time and cause serious health problems like asthma, allergies, and respiratory issues for you and your family members.

As more and more people are buying homes, it has become increasingly important to make sure your home doesn’t contribute to air pollution and global warming. By making small changes in your home, you can reduce the amount of air pollution emitted into the environment, and even improve your property value at the same time!

Here Are Seven Ways to Prevent Air Pollution in Your Home

Get Rid of VOCs at Home

The first step to cleaning up your home is a simple one: reduce VOCs where you can. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are odorless and colorless, but still, have a big impact on air quality. Volatile organic compounds come from many sources, including paints, carpets, cleaning products, and more.

Get Rid of Odors Instead of Covering Them

It is not wise to use a room freshener to cover up the odor because it just creates a mass of chemicals in your house. You can reduce or eliminate many household odors by investing in a dehumidifier, air purifier, or air ionizer.

In a closed space, smells are more easily trapped and recirculated through your HVAC system. The best way to eliminate odors is to first remove them at their source and then circulate pure air throughout your home using an air purifier or other device designed specifically for that purpose.

Install Exhaust Fans in the Kitchen and Bathroom

While cooking, gasses like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are produced because of partial combustion. Exhaust fans are essential for making sure that all of your indoor air goes outside. When you run an exhaust fan, make sure it’s a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan and not a whole-house fan—whole-house fans circulate your inside air throughout your home and don’t do much for reducing air pollution.

Stop Smoking Inside the House

Smoking tobacco indoors is not only dangerous for your health, but it can also do a number on your real estate. The smoke from cigarettes and cigars can cause yellowing on walls and ceilings, as well as leave lingering smells behind that are tough to get rid of.

Installing a carbon monoxide detector can help you to stop smoking in the house.

Use Ventilators

Ventilators, which filter and purify outdoor air before it enters your home, are a simple way to ensure that you and your family breathe clean air.

Simply place ventilators near all areas of activity – bedrooms, living room, kitchen, etc., and circulate indoor air with fresh outdoor air.

Plant Indoor Trees

Plants purify indoor air, making it healthier for your family and more pleasant. Indoors, trees reduce air pollution by absorbing these toxins and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. Some varieties even absorb carbon dioxide, neutralizing pollution that could otherwise linger inside your home.

If you are planning to buy a house, consider planting a tree indoors. Its leaves will help cleanse your home’s air while also beautifying its appearance. It’s a win-win!

Regular Cleaning and Dusting

You’ve heard your mom tell you time and again, cleanliness is next to godliness. And she was right. The dust and grime in your house can easily be a contributing factor in producing microscopic particles that are unhealthy for your lungs. Also, if you want your property to be valuable, ensure you have properly dusted and cleaned regularly. By keeping these properties in pristine condition, homeowners can rest assured they’re not breathing in toxic substances when they turn their A/C or heat on at night.

To Summarize

Air pollution in the house affects properties in many ways, from health effects and lower property values to chronic breathing ailments and physical damage that comes with it.

Prevention is key—and may be simpler than you think. Just these seven air-pollution-fighting tips can go a long way toward protecting your home and your health.