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How to improve your indoor air quality in 6 easy steps

How to improve your indoor air quality in 6 easy steps

How to improve your indoor air quality in 6 easy steps

If you are looking for ways to improve indoor air quality, you have come to the right place. In this blog post we’ll guide you through some simple yet effective strategies for enhancing air quality in your home and minimizing related health risks.

6 steps to improve indoor air quality - PlanetWatch

1. Keep up with regular cleaning

Cleaning your home regularly is an essential part of maintaining good indoor air quality levels. Vacuuming carpets, furniture, and other surfaces can help to reduce dust and dirt that inevitably accumulate over time. Regular cleaning can also help to reduce pollen and other pollutants that may be hovering in the air. 

Clean bathrooms and kitchens frequently as well, as these areas are often high in moisture, which can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Additionally, it is important to regularly launder bedding to reduce dust mites and other allergens. 

Be sure to read the labels on cleaning products to check if they are safe for use in your home. Prefer natural cleaning products as these don’t leave behind toxic residues that can affect air quality.

2. Get houseplants

Bringing plants indoors can play a role in improving air quality. Plants release oxygen while they take in carbon dioxide, which helps reducing the amount of pollutants in your home. Plus, some houseplants can even absorb toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. 

Consider getting some low-maintenance, air-purifying plants to areas where you spend a lot of time for an added boost to your indoor air quality.

Houseplants indoor air quality - PlanetWatch
(image by LeeAnn Cline)

3. Avoid traditional air fresheners

Traditional air fresheners are a major source of indoor air pollution. The chemicals in these products can cause headaches, nausea, and other respiratory problems, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. 

Instead, opt for natural air fresheners like essential oils, or simply open a window to allow fresh air in. You can also try baking soda, which is known to absorb odors, or simmering spices on the stovetop for a natural fragrance. 

4. Ventilate your home properly

Having adequate ventilation in your home is absolutely fundamental to ensure good indoor air quality.

Proper ventilation contributes to air circulation, replacing stale air with fresh outdoor air and removing pollutants in the process. For proper ventilation, you should:

– Open the windows

Opening the windows is one of the most effortless and effective ways to improve indoor air quality. Whenever possible, open multiple windows and doors to create a cross-ventilation system for continuous fresh air flow throughout your living space.

This reduces the levels of dust, pollen and other allergens. Furthermore, it helps to remove any contaminants that have built up inside. Of course, this only applies when the outside environment is not a polluted one. Otherwise, it would be highly counter-intuitive.

Open windows indoor air quality - PlanetWatch
(image by Toa Heftiba)

– Upgrade your HVAC system

Inspecting your HVAC system on a regular basis has the potential to positively impact indoor air quality.

A newer HVAC system can be extremely useful in getting air filtered and circulated more efficiently. Besides, it will quite likely consume less energy, helping you save money on electricity bills.

When shopping for a new HVAC system, look for models that include air filters with a high MERV rating to ensure the best air quality possible. 

– Install a kitchen exhaust fan

Kitchen exhaust fans are a helpful tool in eliminating smoke, steam, and other airborne contamination that can accumulate while cooking. They come in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes and can be installed either on the wall or over the stove. 

It is important to regularly clean your kitchen exhaust fan to make sure it is working as it should and removing unwanted pollutants.

By doing this, you can actively enhance the quality of the air in your home and create a healthier environment for you and your family.

5. Control moisture with a dehumidifier 

High humidity levels can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can, in turn, result in allergies and respiratory issues. Installing a dehumidifier can be of great help to keep the humidity levels in your home low and safeguard indoor air quality.

Some complementary measures include turning on an exhaust fan in the bathroom, cleaning areas with moisture, not over-watering houseplants, and keeping windows closed on humid days.

6. Invest in an air purifier

Air purifiers are designed to remove harmful pollutants from the air, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and smoke. 

When choosing an air purifier, look for one that not only has filters that can eliminate bacteria and viruses but also an activated carbon filter – since this is instrumental in absorbing odors and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can pose a danger to your health.

By investing in a high-quality air purifier, you can significantly improve the overall air quality in your house. But don’t forget to replace your air filters on a regular basis. Over time, the filters can become clogged and will no longer be able to effectively filter out the particles in the air.

And last but not least, what actually should be step 0… 

0. Monitor indoor air quality in real-time

All the steps above are of utter importance but, in fact, it should all start with accurately understanding how’s air quality in your house in real-time.

By monitoring air quality you can determine at all times whether the air you are breathing at home is within safe limits and act accordingly if needed (namely, through the steps listed above).

The IN5 is what we like to call your indoor companion. This device helps you track indoor air quality quite seamlessly as it has a color-changing LED to let you know exactly how air quality is evolving in one look (Green – Excellent air quality environment; Light Blue – Good; Orange – Fair; Red – Poor). You can then check the dashboard for more detailed data to better inform your actions.

Measurements: Air temperature; Air humidity; Carbon Dioxide; Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC); PM 2.5

Power supply: USB-C cable with a power interchangeable adapter for all the main socket types.

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