The rise of remote working has helped to give many of us the work/life balance that we’ve always dreamed of, however, it also means that we’re spending more time in our homes than ever before.
This makes the improvement of our household air quality essential, as poor air quality can lead to numerous health complications, particularly for those who suffer from asthma or other respiratory difficulties. Poor air quality can lead to a variety of problems, including irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; headaches and fatigue; and respiratory diseases.
If you’re looking to improve the air quality of your home, either because you’re looking to engage in a healthier lifestyle or because you’ve been advised to by a healthcare professional, then there are several steps that you can take.
We’ve put together five fantastic tips to help you improve the air quality in your home, allowing you to breathe easier.
1) Keep on Top of Dust
Dust can build up quickly in the home if you don’t keep on top of it. And while it might seem harmless to forgo dusting your surfaces, it can cause serious problems for those with asthma or allergies.
Make dust regularly, ensuring that you get into all of the corners and remember that dust can embed itself in your carpets, not just on your hard surfaces.
If keeping on top of your household chores is a challenge, perhaps due to a busy work schedule, then consider using a service such as Bark to find reliable cleaners in your local area who can come in and keep your home dust free.
2) Don’t Let Mould Build Up
Mould can be a big problem in our homes, particularly in bathrooms or other damp areas, leading to a variety of health complaints.
If your bathroom lacks proper ventilation, then you can find that the steam from your shower can cause mould to build up on your shower walls.
You should always make sure that you keep your bathroom ventilated when you shower, and make sure to spray problem areas regularly with mould remover to keep it from building up.
Like dust, mould is particularly problematic for asthma sufferers, and has a greater effect on children and older people.
3) Keep Your Home Well Ventilated
While ventilation is essential in the bathroom, it’s also important to ensure that you have ventilation throughout your home.
Double Glazing experts, such as those at Halifax Glass, can ensure that you have the window insulation that you require while still being able to throw open your windows to allow a better flow of air – double glazing is also a great choice for reducing condensation which can contribute to damp and mould in our homes.
Opening your windows is a great way to improve your ventilation, however, you need to be aware of outdoor air pollution. For example, if you live on a busy road, you might find that you end up with more pollution entering the home than you’d like.
Similarly, for those who suffer with pollen allergies, opening the windows in the summer can lead to eye irritation. Try to be strategic when opening your windows, try to avoid doing so during rush hour or when the pollen count is high.
4) Invest in an Air Purifier
An air purifier is a great way to help improve the air quality in your home.
Not only can having an air purifier in your bedroom help to improve your sleep, but it will reduce the amount of chemicals and allergens in the air around you.
While air purifiers can help to improve the air around you, they should be used as part of a larger strategy, as many models don’t have the power to do the job all by themselves.
Using them in conjunction with other solutions, such as reducing mould and dust, can make them much more effective.
5) Use Your Extractor Fans
You might find yourself forgoing your extractor fan while you cook, particularly if yours is loud and you want to chat in the kitchen.
However, using your extractor fan will help to remove any smoke while you cook, as well as reducing the moisture created by too much steam.
Get into the habit of turning on your extractor fan every time you cook, even if you’re only throwing together a five-minute meal.
Aside from the health benefits, a kitchen extractor fan will also help to eliminate the smell of cooking in your home, leaving your kitchen smelling fresher.
Have you improved the air quality in your home? Share your tips and tricks from better ventilation and mould reduction in the comments below!
