Did you know that indoor air quality (IAQ) can be 2-5 times and in some cases even 100 times worse than out door air quality? Yep! It's true. Americans on average spend 90% of our time in doors, and with all of us all snuggled up for the winter only makes the situation worse.
Christmas is over and the new year has begun. It seems like a perfect time to curl up with a n overpriced mocha and hibernate for the winter. Zzzzzzzzzz... If the air inside our homes is not the best it can be then we are not either. If it's in the air, it's in our lungs. Gross! I know!
But don't despair! I have scoured the net looking for some tips to improve the IAQ in your home, (You're welcome.). Following these tips will greatly help those of you and/or your little ones that have asthma or suffer from allergies, especialy pet dander in the months ahead.
- One thing is changing filters in forced-air heating systems every 3 months, or when they become dirty, whichever comes first.
- Regularly vacuuming to reduce allergens such as dust mites and pet hair & dander.
- Be sure to change your vacuum bag when it is 3/4 full not COMPLETELY full.
- Get carpets regularly cleaned. My favorite tip ;)
- Resist the urge to deep clean until you can properly air out the house. You could make the problem worse by stiring up built up dust and contaminates.
- Place large mats at any entrances guests use and politely ask guests to remove shoes when they enter. Some guests don't even need to be asked if you have something such as a white board with the shoe removal request, or even a small sign that can show off how crafty you are! Not only will your friends and loved ones be WOW'D with your craft skills, they'll be super impressed with your ultra clean home and air quality!! Then, regularly clean the mat. It takes several feet of mats to get shoes clean.
- Eliminate unnecessary chemicals and other pollutants in and around the home, (again, this is where QUALITY carpet cleaning comes in... *WE* just happen to be able to help you with that.).
- Making sure combustion appliances, like gas stoves, fireplaces, boilers, and furnaces are working properly. No one likes a scary and ill working combustion appliance. No, ma`am.
- Being aware of sources of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and toxic gas that causes health effects which are often mistaken for the flu. Install carbon monoxide detectors in living spaces. Plus they look all cool and techy!
- Testing your home for cancer-causing radon, a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can enter a home through cracks and openings in floors and walls that are in contact with the ground. Testing your home is simple and inexpensive, And everyone likes to say "Sorry, I can't talk right now.. I'm checking my crack."
- House plants do a good job of "scrubbing" the air, the best are Boston ferns, English ivy and ficus plants. Don't forget to water! And talk to them...I'm not sure it helps, but there is a shortage of crazy people in the world, don't you think?
- Finally, to help with the low humidity, caused by aggressively heating the air is to use a small indoor fountain... not to mention, again think of all the people you will WOW with your fountain! Indoor fountain just screams CLASSY!
Well thats it for now. I hope it helps.
Be good,
Coach Crew
references: www.o2foryou.org, www.epa.gov
