5 Easy Ways to Improve the Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

The air quality in your home can be just as bad or even worse than it is outdoors. Asbestos, carbon monoxide, and pet dander are among the things that can worsen your home’s air quality and lead to infections and chronic illnesses. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure that your loved ones are breathing clean air when they are inside your home. Here are five easy ways you can improve the air quality in your home.

1. Dust and Clean Your Home Regularly

When dust builds up in your home, so do allergens and chemicals. Sweep or use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust on the floor and furniture at least twice a week. Opt for a vacuum cleaner that comes with a HEPA filter to ensure that the dust doesn’t get blown back into the air.

Your rugs and carpets also need dusting. Rugs and carpets do more than improve the comfort of your home. They also act as their own air filters by trapping dust, dander, and other allergens in their many fibers. Clean your rugs and carpets every week and they will keep improving your home’s air quality just by lying there.

2. Clean or Change Your AC Filter Regularly

Air conditioning systems are filtering some of the common indoor air pollutants such as dust, mold, and mildew. When your AC system’s air filters fill up and stop working, not only does that degrade your indoor air quality, but it also wears down your AC system. Make sure you change your AC filter regularly or get an AC service plan which typically includes a filter change⁠—especially if you are prone to allergies or live in an area with high levels of pollution.

3. Clean Other Air Filters

Your air conditioning system’s air filter is not the only thing that accumulates common indoor air pollutants. Your other household appliances, such as your clothes dryer and vacuum cleaner, as well as your kitchen vents also filter and trap air pollutants. Be sure you check and clean your appliances and vents periodically to maintain your home’s air quality.

4. Clean the Air Ducts

Air ducts distribute hot and cold air throughout your home, providing a comfortable temperature in every room. However, ducts that are not installed properly or maintained regularly can distribute air contaminants throughout your home. Over time, dander, dust, and even mold can build up in your air ducts, degrading the overall indoor air quality. You may ask the help of a professional to make sure your ducts are distributing fresh, clean air instead of contaminants.

5. Grow Air-Purifying Indoor Plants

Indoor plants help clean the air. They act as natural air purifiers. They improve the air quality in your home while enhancing your indoor aesthetic. Small plants such as lilies and ferns, which bloom indoors, and larger palm trees are the best options to eliminate air contaminants.

Whether you are looking to prevent colds in your family, reduce the number of attacks an asthmatic family member experiences, or protect your home from future diseases, improving the air quality in your home is easy to do. With a few simple steps, you and your loved ones will always be able to take in a breath of fresh air.