Indoor air quality may not be top of mind for homeowners but it is a vital component of our health. The pandemic awakened the importance of clean, breathable air within a public setting. Likewise, at home, the air we breathe can have a significant effect on our physical health, our mental state, and our emotional reasoning.
Let’s go over some ways to keep clean, breathable air in and around your home.
Air purifiers – the quick easy way to improve air quality
While not a particularly low-cost option, air purifiers are an easy, hands-off way to improve the air quality in your home. There are many options to match every budget and room size. Aim for a unit in your main living space and bedrooms to start, then add in the kitchen and other often-used rooms as your budget allows.
Alternatively, a smaller unit can be moved from room to room as needed. Replace the filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and vacuum the pre-filter occasionally to keep the unit working at peak efficiency.
Natural air quality control: Plants
House plants can help to reduce stress, improve focus, and add to the aesthetic of your space. They are also a great way to create clean, breathable air indoors. Immersing oneself in nature is known to reinvigorate and reset the mind and body. Since we don’t spend all of our time outdoors, bringing plants into our living space is a way to bring nature to us, and create clean, breathable air in your home.
Do you have a green thumb? Even if your answer is no, that’s ok! Some plants will both help your indoor air quality and not require large amounts of gardening knowledge. Peace lilies, snake plants, and golden pothos are three plant options that require low maintenance. In addition, these are a great way to maximize the clean, breathable air around your home by providing air filtering benefits.
Clean up your painting options
When it is time to repaint your living spaces, look for no VOC paints. These paints emit less chemical off-gassing than traditional options and can help create clean, breathable air throughout your home.
Look for the Greenguard seal to ensure their safety. Keep in mind that while many improvements have been made to these offerings, you may experience lower coverage and longer drying times with these paints. Therefore, you should allow extra time when completing your painting project.
And then clean up your cleaning products
Another way to produce clean, breathable air in your home is with your cleaning products. Choose cleaner, less chemical-based options when buying house cleaning supplies like counter sprays and floor cleaners.
One of the best home cleaners available is probably sitting in your pantry right now. Distilled white vinegar (or cleaning vinegar) can be used to clean many surfaces in your home. Mix with water and dish soap and use on windows, counters, and fixtures. You can find detailed instructions for specific cleaner mixes by searching online.
One word of caution, however, is to avoid using vinegar cleaner on granite, marble, or other stone surfaces. The acid can eat away at these and cause damage. For these surfaces, all you need is warm water and mild dish soap. You can even skip the fabric softener and use vinegar in its place to keep towels soft and fluffy, just don’t mix with bleach or you’ll have toxic fumes to deal with as well.
Simple but effective air quality trick: regular dusting
This one may seem like a no-brainer but it’s worth noting. Dusting is a typical home chore but do you really dust everything, every time? Certainly, some spots get overlooked during daily cleaning. You may have windows or trim that are unreachable from the ground and thus do not get regularly cleaned.
Have you thought about your HVAC vents? These should be swept out when you vacuum to help remove any trapped dust or debris that has accumulated.
What about your couch and mattress? These locations and more can be harboring dust mites and other allergens that make your air less than healthy to breathe. Regular vacuuming of these surfaces every couple of weeks will keep the dust and dander to a minimum.
Speaking of dander, regular vacuuming, and dusting will also help to keep the air quality cleaner if you have pets living with you.
Chimneys and fireplaces
Though those of us in North Florida don’t use our fireplaces nearly as often as those in the northern states, we can still be affected by the recreational usage of a fireplace — especially around the holidays. Regular cleanings and inspections are essential to the care and upkeep of your chimney system. Burning improper combustibles and failing to clean regularly can lead to creosote buildup. Creosote is a toxin that can cause respiratory problems as well as being highly flammable.
Regular HVAC maintenance
Do you know how often you should be replacing your furnace filters? Is it once or twice a year? The answer is actually a bit more detailed.
Fiberglass filters, while cheaper, should be changed as often as every 30 days. Pleated filters can last longer but will need to replace every 60 to 90 days on average. Check the recommended date on your filter when you replace it as each manufacturer will have a suggested timeframe. Buy more than one filter at a time so that you always have a replacement at the ready, as this will make it easier to change them on a consistent schedule.
Improve indoor & outdoor air quality with Electric lawn care
One of the biggest things you can do to improve the air around your home is with your mowing equipment. Indeed, electric lawn care may be the best way to get clean, breathable air in and around your home.
After all, air quality concerns aren’t just reserved for what is inside your home. Think about your yard now. Gas-powered small engines are a little thought of yet significant source of pollution. Emissions from mowers to chainsaws to leaf blowers to other outdoor power equipment and more can have dangerous and lasting effects on the environment around us.
One easy way to combat this is by utilizing electric or battery-powered tools when possible. There are many options on the market today for every yard size and budget.
Of course, the benefits of green lawn care are numerous and wide-ranging. That’s why you should…
…leave the lawn care to us
Instead of swapping every piece of equipment in your garage out for a safer model, consider partnering with us. Sun Power Lawn Care utilizes electric mowers and other electric lawn equipment.
Our company is focused on the importance of quality, green lawn care with our landscape packages. Furthermore, our team will treat your lawn like their own, freeing you up for other things in your busy schedule. Would you like to learn more? Then call us at 352-507-5296 or visit us HERE to get on our schedule or find out more information. We look forward to working with you!
Here are some great resources to help your lawn look its best:
