Keep the air indoors clean and fresh with these simple non-toxic steps to purify your home with minimal effort.
With smog, pollutants, dust, and so many harmful substances in the air, it’s unsurprising that the air we breathe isn’t particularly fresh — especially indoors, where the pollution levels can be as much as five times the levels outside. “Indoor air is not as healthy as we may think,” according to Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse and chairman of Change the Air Foundation.
Toxic pollutants from outside, like smog and air pollution, can get trapped in the house, and items in your home may also be contributing to the pollution. Furniture, stoves, rugs, cleaning products, and fragrances can be harmful in a number of ways. Consumer and public health organizations consistently point to a layered approach: source control, ventilation, and targeted filtration working in concert. Families who have made modest adjustments — like running exhaust fans more consistently or switching to damp dusting — often notice genuine improvements in allergy symptoms and day-to-day comfort.
One of the most essential elements to keeping the indoor air clean, according to Rubino, is ensuring your HVAC system is free from mold, dust, and other pollutants. “The push for net-zero energy efficiency has led to more tightly built buildings with minimal airflow between indoor and outdoor environments,” Rubino told Cnet. “The result is that most contaminants that make their way inside the building will remain until they are actively removed.”
He suggests having the system serviced twice a year. “Change air filters on time and upgrade to the highest-rated MERV filters your particular unit can handle.”
Open the windows
One of the best and easiest ways to maintain fresh, clean air inside your home is by opening your windows. You don’t need to leave them open; in fact, you can do this for just a few minutes once a day. Of course, this can bring outdoor pollutants into the home, too, but even if you live in a colder climate, a few minutes of cold will bring fresh, clean air to your space.
Become a plant person
Another easy option is to invest in indoor plants. Plants work by taking in carbon dioxide while pushing out oxygen, and that’s exactly what process you need to help clean the air in your property.
Indoor plants can help to remove toxins from your home while boosting the oxygen level at the same time, so having a few extra plants in each room can be of real benefit to your air quality. Plus, plants are an easy way to improve your decor and bring some color to your space. Some plants are better at air purifying than others. Try Barberton daisies, English ivy, and snake plants for improved air quality.
Get an air purifier
If you have a little more of a budget and would like immediate, top-quality results, choosing an air purifier can be part of the solution. Look for smart tech purifiers like BlueAir, which you can operate via an app and glean key data like particulate counts. You can also power your air purifier and reduce environmental impact by adopting integrated energy solutions to improve air quality and optimize your home’s energy use.
Use natural cleaning products
Keep the air indoors healthier by keeping the toxins out. One of the easiest ways to do this is by opting for all-natural cleaning products or making your own. Products like white vinegar, Castile soap, baking soda, and lemon juice can be highly effective at cleaning out dirt and grime while also keeping the chemical clouds away. (Plus, DIYing your own cleaning products is less expensive than store-bought brands.)
Freshen with essential oils
While essential oils can’t trap or remove pollution from the air, some do have antibacterial properties that may help keep harmful airborne bacteria at bay. Another benefit of aromatherapy is that it’s a safer alternative to chemical air fresheners. Use a simple essential oil air diffuser and try cleansing, antibacterial scents like tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender.
Mind your cooking oils
That’s right, the type of cooking oil you use can impact your home’s air quality. Higher smoke point oils like avocado oil will reduce the smoke in the air. Other oils like peanut, safflower, canola, corn, and sunflower oil also have high smoke points. Use lower smoke point oils like olive oil as a finishing oil on cooked food instead of in the hot pan.
Buy vintage furniture
New furniture is tempting, but most of it contains harmful chemicals like formaldehyde that can pollute the air and pose long-term health risks. Spend some time learning about vintage furniture styles instead. They’ve off-gassed their chemical loads already, so they won’t bring pollutants into the home unless they’ve recently been refinished or reupholstered.
But beyond that, they can be timeless, handmade pieces built to last. Whether you find yourself drawn to Midcentury designs, Georgian, Queen Anne, or any other furniture era, for a unique style all your own.
Still love the modern stuff? There is also an emerging number of apps today for buying gently used recent furniture. You get the benefit of newer pieces without the chemicals. Have to have a new piece of furniture? Let it air out outdoors for several days in a dry, shaded area until the chemicals subside.
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