If you have allergies, asthma or other health issues, you may find that going outside can trigger symptoms of these maladies. However, you may also have noticed that simply staying inside can also result in bouts of sneezing, coughing or labored breathing. You may also notice that you have dry skin, your clothes are itchy or other problems arise if you spend too much time in your home.
Why Indoor Air Quality Is Worse Than Outdoor Air Quality
The primary reason why indoor air quality tends to be worse than outdoor air quality is because it is trapped in a confined space. Therefore, pet dander, dust and pollen can quickly accumulate in your bedroom, living room or other indoor areas. If anyone smokes inside of your house, you could also be a victim of poor air quality because it has nowhere to go and simply lingers in the air for days at a time.
In a room that is properly ventilated, it may be possible to swap out dirty indoor air for clean outdoor air in as little as 30 to 60 minutes. However, it’s not uncommon for homes to be poorly ventilated. Therefore, you experience a scenario in which contaminated air is simply cycled throughout your house whenever the furnace or air conditioning system is running.
The same may be true if you use ceiling fans to circulate air throughout your house. Furthermore, it isn’t uncommon to leave doors and windows closed for large portions of the day, which can make it even harder for fresh air to get into the house.
Develop a Cleaning Routine
Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to improve your home’s indoor air quality is to clean at every chance you get. Spending a few minutes vacuuming the carpet in the living room or sweeping the kitchen floor can get rid of a significant amount of dust, dirt and mildew that might eventually make its way into the air. You may also want to consider having curtains, furniture and other surfaces deep cleaned on a regular basis to get rid of pollutants that become trapped on or within those items over time.
Making Your Home Easier to Clean
Swapping out carpets for wood floors can make your house easier to clean because you can get more of what is on the floor into a dustpan or vacuum cleaner. It is also easier to clean wine, soda or other stains that can make their way through the multiple layers of carpet. Eliminating these stains will prevent mold or mildew growth while also minimizing the risk of your house smelling like old milk or wine.
You can also have a designated area where everyone takes off their shoes, coats and hats before coming into the house. If possible, consider putting the laundry room near the main entrance so that dirty clothes and outerwear can be cleaned before being tracked through the house.
Don’t Forget About Exterior Surfaces
Keeping the inside of your home clean depends in part on how well you keep the outside of your home clean. Ideally, you will have the siding cleaned every two to three years to keep it free of pollen, dirt and other grime that can accumulate. You should also clean exterior windows, gutters and other outdoor components every year or two to get rid of material that might make your way into the house.
Furthermore, you might want to have your driveway, patio or other hard surfaces washed periodically. Doing so will get rid of material that can be tracked into the house after hitching a ride on your shoes or on your pet’s fur. Similarly, have a rug or other dirt catcher in front of any doorway from the outside that is regularly used. This is especially important where pets or kids are going in and out of doors.
Finally, you are encouraged to wash your car as often as possible as it can also attract airborne pollutants. Cleaning the inside of your car can also be an easy way to cut down on the amount of stuff that could potentially be brought inside of your house.
Have Ducts and HVAC Components Cleaned
In many cases, material that accumulates in your ducts doesn’t originate there. However, failing to clean the ducts on a regular basis means that your other efforts to clean the home won’t be as effective. This is because anything that is trapped there will be cycled around the house when your HVAC fan operates.
Cleaning your home’s ducts can also be beneficial as it can get rid of mold or mildew and the smells that it can produce. In the event that rodents or other critters have gotten into ductwork, you can eliminate the smells that they can cause during their stay.
Cleaning a furnace ensures that everything that has accumulated on motor blowers or other components doesn’t have a chance to get into air ducts. You should also have condenser units or other cooling system components cleaned on a regular basis for the same reason. In addition to improving indoor air quality, keeping a furnace or condenser unit clean reduces wear and tear while also helping to keep your utility bills in check.
How to Improve Your Home’s Ventilation
There are a number of surprisingly easy steps that you can take to improve your home’s ventilation and its indoor air quality. For instance, you could simply add a few more vents near the attic or other spaces where air isn’t circulating properly. You can also open windows or doors for a few minutes each day to let fresh in and polluted air out. Your HVAC professional can help you to create ventilation systems that operate in tandem with a smart thermostat and air monitor.
Making use of exhaust fans can help as they will take air out of rooms such as a bathroom or kitchen and vent it outside. This can also be a great way to keep humidity levels down in these spaces, which can further make your home a more comfortable place to live.
Finally, you can use portable air filters to help keep your bedroom or family room smelling clean and fresh. A whole home air filter or fan may also make it easier to clean and circulate the air in your home. You should also check the air filter in your furnace to see if it should be replaced as it can get clogged after several weeks or months of use.
If you need to improve your Vacaville, CA home’s indoor air quality, don’t hesitate to call the folks at Cozy Home Services today! You can also count on us to help with a clogged kitchen drain, a frayed wire or heating system maintenance. We can also help with cooling system inspections or water filtration matters to ensure that your home is comfortable and running well throughout the year.
