The air you breathe is important! As we do our spring cleaning and enter into another humid Cincinnati summer, let’s go over some ways you can improve the air quality in your home. You may not know some of the things that can harm your lungs and decrease the comfort level in your own home.

• Don’t smoke. It’s one of the worst things you can do for the air quality in your home.
• Make sure you change the filter in your furnace/air conditioner every three months. Spring for the higher-quality filters to keep out as many pollutants and allergens as possible.
• Vacuum your carpet regularly, as lots of allergens and pollutants and can live in the fibers. If you’re thinking about new flooring, consider choosing something other than carpet.
• Keep your home as dry as possible. Put a dehumidifier in moist places, and make sure bathrooms and kitchens have good ventilation.
• Avoid purchasing particle board furniture and other pressed woods. They contain formaldehyde and can emit toxins into the air over time. If you still have mothballs living in your storage areas, get rid of them.
• Consider getting a carbon monoxide detector, and be aware of actions that can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home. Have all fuel burning appliances inspected by a technician once a year, and never leave a car or lawnmower running inside your garage.
• Switch to non-toxic cleaners when possible. Fumes in chemical cleansers can irritate your lungs. Also, skip the air fresheners. (Instead try an essential oil warmer for short periods or boil some cloves and cinnamon on the stove to kill a strong odor.)
• Keeping your home clean can continually help air quality. Remember to clean from top to bottom by dusting first and then vacuuming after the loosened dust settles.
• Test your home for radon. Use a test kit that is labeled with “meets EPA requirements.” Call a professional if you suspect your home might have asbestos, lead or mold.

According to the EPA, the best way to improve quality is to properly ventilate your home. You can do this by opening windows, using exhaust fans that send exhaust outside the home, using window fans or running air conditioners. (Make sure your air conditioners are working properly.)

There’s some information that would indicate those fancy air purifiers actually create a harmful mix of air particles in your home. Your best option is to save your money and follow the above tips. (And if you have a serious breathing problem, you should definitely see your doctor!)

More info:
American Lung Association’s Tips
Info from planetgreen.com
Facts from the EPA

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