However, you may not be aware that the air inside of our homes is significantly more contaminated than the air outdoors. Why? We are careless because contaminants are present in many of the goods we use on a regular basis. All these products, including the paint on our walls, shampoos, lotions, and mattresses in our home that keep collecting dust inside of our drawers, hold toxins and chemicals that are harming us all.
The air we breathe holds added gases, a combination of different compounds, and tiny particles in addition to the oxygen our bodies need for greatest function.
What Causes Indoor Air Pollution?
The good news is that a lot of the factors that affect indoor air quality are within our control. Some common sources of air pollution inside include:- Dust
- Indoor air pollution from the outside
- Paint, furniture, flooring, etc. that emit VOCs.
- Pet dander
- Conventional cleaners, air fresheners, and other fragrances
- Gas stoves and other appliances (especially older ones)
- Mold development and humidity
- Objects that collect dust and filth include carpet, draperies, and other things
Formaldehyde is a contaminant that can cause cancer and is present in glues, shampoos, shaving creams, pesticides, and carpets. Cigarette smoke also contains the same toxin. Even the chemicals in paint, nail polish, cleaning supplies, and detergents contribute to indoor air pollution.
Natural Ways to Purify and Clean Indoor Air
We provide you with several all-natural solutions to purify the air in your home. Here are 9 all-natural techniques to clean your home's air.1. Well ventilated home
Homes with good ventilation have lower moisture levels. Install vents to improve the indoor air quality. Because cooking can be a significant source of indoor air pollution, exhaust fans can be especially beneficial in the kitchen.
2. Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles can ionise the air and neutralise pollutants and hazardous substances. These candles are a lifesaver if you have asthmatic family members.
Numerous varieties of indoor plants remove common volatile organic pollutants from the air. According to a study done by the American Society for Horticultural Science, keeping indoor houseplants can help to enhance the quality of the air within the home. They even purge the air of common irritants like dust.
3. Spruce Up Your Decor with Houseplants
Indoor plants that filter the air in your house by helping to remove toxins including formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. Gerbera daisies, chrysanthemums, spider plants, rubber trees, money plants, aloe vera, and others are a few examples of indoor plants that purify the air.
4. Essential Oil Diffusers
Tea tree oil is one essential oil that has antimicrobial effects. It can even be used topically to cure a small cut on your skin. It can also be incorporated to DIY household cleansers. But did you know that these oils can also lower microorganisms in the air? It has been proved that using essential oils like eucalyptus, clove, and lavender can also help lower the quantity of dust mites in your home.
5. Activated Charcoal
As a natural air cleaner, activated charcoal is used. It removes contaminants from the air and has no smell. It is also very adsorptive. Using charcoal to purify the air in your home naturally makes it breathable and healthful.
6. Salt Lamps
By removing water vapour from the air, all salt crystal products lessen airborne irritants, allergies, and infections.
7. Use Natural Cleaners
Making your own household cleaners with items like vinegar, baking soda, citrus juice, or essential oils is a more environmentally friendly choice. Additionally, there are many excellent green cleaning businesses that supply products that are just as effective as traditional ones and save you the trouble of blending your own.
The weekly usage of cleaning supplies exposes a home to many toxins. To combat filth, think about using natural cleaning items like baking soda or white vinegar. There are several excellent alternatives, such as hydrogen peroxide and club soda, that clean just as effectively without leaving behind chemical residues.
8. Cut Down on Cooking Pollution
The World Health Organization limits indoor exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to 106 ppb over the course of one hour.
Gas oven heating emits 130-546 ppb, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute's paper Gas Stoves: Health and Air Quality Impacts and Solutions. This goes much beyond what is safe. A gas range's cooking ranges from 82 to 300 ppb. Carbon monoxide, a gas that cannot be seen or smelled, can also be released at dangerously high quantities by gas burners.
It is crucial for families with gas stoves to have well-maintained, correctly calibrated gas stoves. According to the EPA, newer stoves emit much less carbon monoxide than earlier models.
9. Use Natural Air Fresheners
Conventional air fresheners only coat the air with contaminants rather than freshening it. The way that natural air freshener's function varies. They cut odours at the source rather than masking them.
The lingering doors left behind can be eliminated by diffusing fragrant oils and utilising natural air fresheners. These also aid in the airborne reduction of germs, dust mites, and other organisms.
Plus a Few Quick Clean Air Tips!
By continuously carrying out small tasks, it is simpler to keep clean air in your home. Here are some added suggestions to keep your house clean.- Because carpets absorb liquid like sponges, they should be often vacuumed, especially around entrances. Use a doormat and remove your shoes at the entrance to cut down on typical carpet pollutants by 60%, recommends EPA research.
- Let dry-cleaned goods air out outside before bringing them inside since dry cleaning agents might be dangerous for your health.
- Avoid inhaling dust particles that are lifted into the air while cleaning by wiping the area down with a moist cloth.
To ensure your family's health and wellness, make every effort to help filter the air in your home. Consider all these natural strategies to improve your home's air quality while lowering the quantity of toxins your family is exposed to.
