Ways you might be contributing to

Poor air quality in your home

This image shows an air Duct due for Cleaning.

Today, we all know just how much exterior forces can put a damper on your home’s air quality like the coming of spring and bountiful pollen, the increasing smog in big cities and all of the dusty construction. But did you know that there are ways that you could be contributing to the poor air quality of your home? Well today, we are going to be talking about how you could be contributing to your home’s air quality and how you can help improve it! So let’s get started:

Using Harsh Cleaning Methods

When keeping your home clean for your family is your number 1 priority, it can be hard to get away from the cleaning products that you know work, but some of the most popular cleaning products on the market could be a contributor to the poor air quality of your home. For example, chemicals like bleach, disinfectant sprays or wipes are known to release VOCs ( volatile organic compounds) into the air. Often containing hazards like fluorine, chlorine, and bromine, these compounds are easily vaporized and are very dangerous to humans that come into contact with them. In order to reduce the amount of VOCs in your home, we recommend the use of natural cleaners as they will not emit VOCs into the air you breathe.

Regular Washing Of Fabrics

When fabrics like blankets, drapes, and bedding are left unwashed, you are introducing a magnitude of pollutants and allergens into your home. Hazards like pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and dust can all be hiding away in the fabrics you have around your home. While these hazards can make your home a battleground for allergens, they can simply be cut back on by regularly washing your fabrics. A good rule of thumb is to wash your blankets, sheets pillow covers and couch cushions (or all fabrics that can be machine washed) once a week. It is best to run the fabrics as hot as possible but make sure to check with the cleaning tag on the fabric.

Ineffective Dusting

Although we hate to admit it, most of us simply use a rag or paper towel to get the dust off our belongings. But when you use a rag to clean, you aren’t really picking up the dust, you are simply moving it around and pushing it onto the floor or into the air. When it comes time to dust your home, we recommend the use of microfiber cloths instead of the average rag. Microfibers are specifically designed to pick up and remove dust from its resting place for disposal.

Inadequate Air Flow And Ventilation

Proper use of airflow and ventilation gives the contaminants and pollutants a way to get out of your home but when there is no such way out, these hazards will just collect in your home. A few of the best ways to improve the airflow and ventilation of your home include opening windows, the use of ceiling fans, and utilizing your exhaust fans in areas like the kitchen and bathroom.

Air Duct Cleaning

One of the biggest culprits in the poor air quality of your home is the accumulation of debris in your air vents. While we tend to forget about them because we can’t see them, they could be circulating years of dust, pollen, and pollution throughout your home. The EPA recommends having your ducts cleaned every 3-5 years to eliminate the build-up but if you are unsure if your air ducts are full of debris, check around your vents to see if there is any dust build up around the vents. You can even call a professional to take a look inside your vents with specialized cameras.