Breathing cleaner air is a really good way to improve your health – and while you can’t always avoid pollutants in the outside world, you do have control over the quality of air in your own home.
Better air is good for your lungs, can help avoid issues such as asthma and is shown to relieve symptoms for allergy sufferers.
Fumes from outside could be partially to blame for poor air quality, but there are also many seemingly innocuous day-to-day tasks that put pollutants into the air. From lighting a candle to cooking at the hob, it’s difficult to avoid these activities. So rather than adapting your routine, its time to think about other ways to make your living space a little fresher.
Invest in an air purifier
A good air purifier works by filtering unwanted chemicals out of the air, helping you to get rid of things such as harmful dust and mould spores as well as allergens and pollen. The result is much cleaner air by the time it hits your lungs.
Some people swear by the natural purification powers of plants, too, although you need a lot of them to really feel the effects. One alternative option is the briiv air filter, which uses natural materials such as moss to offer the power of 3,043 houseplants in one compact product. This combination of natural purification techniques and modern technologies can make a real impact.
Keep good ventilation
Letting the air flow through your home is very simple and very effective. This means opening windows to give the air a chance to circulate. This is just as important in winter as in summer, so make sure you have plenty of extra layers!
Overall, good air circulation is more important than avoiding pollutants from outside. That said, if you live on a main road, wait for a quieter time when there are fewer cars on the road.
Be conscious of pollutants in your products
Plug in air fresheners, scented candles and cleaning sprays are some of the worst offenders for adding chemicals to your air, so be smart when you’re buying them. Low scented products are usually better for your homes, while cream-based cleaners have the edge over sprays.
You can also swap to natural alternatives: white vinegar and soda crystals are two incredible cleaning products that can take care of many household tasks at least as well as a bottle of chemicals.
Banish dust and debris
While we’re on the topic of cleaning, making sure you stay on top of the vacuuming is really important for removing dust. This is particularly true in carpeted rooms, where allergens can cling to the carpet fibres. In fact, if you have the option, replacing carpets with an alternative flooring could make a big difference to your home.
Likewise, if you have pets in your home, substances such as pollen could cling to the pet hairs. Be sure to sweep, dust and vacuum regularly – and find a vacuum cleaner that’s powerful enough to suck up all of the hairs and other unwanted particles.
Choose air-purifying furnishings
There are some really innovative items out there these days that can help to make the task of purifying your home a lot easier. In 2020, Ikea caused a stir by launching air-purifying curtains, which use a special coating to break down air pollution. And if we haven’t convinced you to switch to solid flooring, there are some types of carpet that are specifically engineered to release more dust during cleaning, improving the quality of the air.
It’s also good to consider buying vintage or second-hand furniture, as newer furniture can release unwanted chemicals into the air. From Facebook Marketplace to local vintage shops, there are lots of places you can find good quality second-hand furniture and bag yourself a bargain at the same time.
These tips all work well in conjunction with each other: the more steps you take to improve your air, the better it will be. But even doing one small thing could make a big difference, and help you breathe easier in the knowledge that you’re doing something good for your health and your home.