How To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Step by Step Directions:

1. Change your furnace filter every one to three months.
2. Vacuum carpets and area rugs twice a week to remove dust, dander, and other particles from the environment.
   • Do this chore with a vacuum outfitted with a HEPA filter.
   • For hard-surface floors, vacuum or mop them every week. In general, hard floors are easier to keep free of dust. In some cases, allergy sufferers remove all carpeting to improve their indoor air quality.
3. Wash bedding, curtains, and drapes regularly because particles collect on these fabric items.
   • Items that can go in the washing machine should be washed in hot, 130-degree water according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
   • Some draperies cannot go through the washing machine, but you can vacuum them.
4. Place special covers on your pillows and mattresses that inhibit dust mites.
5. If your home has clutter, then you should strive to organize your possessions and throw out unneeded items. Clutter creates numerous surfaces and crevices where dust can build up. In general, less clutter means fewer particles collecting in your indoor environment.
6. You may need to consider giving away your houseplants if you’re struggling with allergies. Although they are nice to have, the plants and their soil may be harboring molds. Their spores could be aggravating your health.
7. Look into having your ducts cleaned. Your air ducts could be harboring large amounts of dust and other allergens. If you recently did remodeling work, then sawdust and drywall dust may have collected in your ducts. Oliver can look in your ducts to see if any problems have developed.
8. Buy one or more air purifiers. These machines will reduce allergens in the home although they cannot eliminate them entirely. They are a good compromise if pet dander bothers you, but you want to keep your furry family member.
   • Place air purifiers in your living room and bedroom.
9. Investigate your home for moisture issues. For example, a bathroom without a ventilation fan is far more likely to have mildew or mold growth.
   • Regularly wash off visible mildew or mold in the bath to reduce the release of mold spores.
10. Buy a dehumidifier for the bathroom or musty basement to control moisture. Less humidity means that mold is much less likely to grow.
11. To take firm control of your indoor air quality, you could consider mechanical solutions that address the whole home. Air scrubbers, filters, ventilation, and humidity control can tackle substantial indoor air quality problems.