Have you ever heard anyone say: “Hang my laundry out to dry? No way! I don’t want it surrounded by all that polluted air.”
Or how about: “I keep my windows tightly shut. I don’t want any pollution coming into my home.”
But the truth is, the air that is already inside your home has a higher concentration of pollutants than the outdoor air.
The Environmental Protection Agency has studied both indoor air quality and outdoor pollution. Their study found that the air inside your home or office can be up to 100 times more polluted than the air outside. That is true for both suburban and urban areas!
What contributes to indoor pollution?
- Chemicals from paints, carpets, mattresses. Anything made from synthetic fibers.
- Smoking indoors
- Possibly fragrances from candles and toiletries. (The EPA does not make a stance on the impact fragrances have on air quality, but other studies show there is an adverse effect.)
- Cleaners and other household products with VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
How to clean up the indoor air
- Houseplants are a natural air filter. Jade plants and spider plants are among the most effective plants for filtering the pollutants out of the air.
- Don’t leave your vehicle running while in the garage. This will trap carbon monoxide
inside your home. - When you bring home clothing from the dry cleaners, let the garments hang outside awhile to air out. Dry cleaning chemicals can be toxic.
- Some swear by Himalayan salt lamps. When plugged in they emit a soft glow and release negative ions into the air.
- Purchase an air purifier for your home. In a big box store, you can pick one of these machines up to filter the air of dust, pollen, and other pollutants. You could buy one of these for each room of your home. But that would be costly and take up a lot of space. A better solution is to have Cranbury Comfort install a whole house air purifier.
- Don’t be afraid to open up your windows…even in the winter! Proper ventilation is needed to keep indoor air as clean as possible. Opening your windows often is a quick and easy way to let in some fresh air.
- You could be pumping dirty air through your home every time your HVAC is on. Have your ducts cleaned to prevent the dust and dirt in your ducts from accumulating?
