Improve The Quality Of The Air In Your House This Winter

Health & Medical Blog

As the weather starts to turn to winter, you will probably be spending a lot more time indoors. Did you know that the air in your house and office may be more polluted than the air outside? Your home may contain mold, pollen, radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, and other chemicals. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure that you are breathing clean air this winter.

Schedule An Indoor Air Quality Consultation For Your House

The best way to learn about the quality of the air inside of your house is to schedule an indoor air quality consultation. A professional will come out and test the air quality in each room in your house. They can let you know what is floating around in the air inside of your house.

They can test your house for radon, which is an odorless and colorless gas that can raise your risk of lung cancer without you even knowing it is there. Radon is created through the natural decay of uranium in soil, and enters your house through cracks and holes in a home's foundation. If you have radon gas in your home, you need to fix up your foundation and prevent it from entering your home.

They can also test for asbestos and lead. Many homes that were built during and before the 1970s were built with materials that contained both of these substances. Both of these substances can have a negative effect on your health. Luckily, once you know they are present, you can take steps to have them removed from your home.

Your indoor air quality consultation can also provide you with tips and resources about how to improve the air quality in your home. If you follow them, and the tips listed below, you will breathe easy this winter.

Keep Your Floors Clean

Your floors are a big source of chemicals and allergens in your house. If you want to keep your air clean, you need to start with keeping your floors clean.

  • Vacuum your floors, especially high traffic areas, every few days. You should use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter is specially designed to pick up and remove even extremely small particles from your floors.
  • After you vacuum, go over your floors with a mop. You do not have to use soap or cleaners. A simple wet micro fiber mop is all you need to pick up the dust that the vacuum was not able to get.
  • Prevent dirt and chemicals from getting inside of your house in the first place by putting large floor mats or carpets in front of all your entry ways. Require everyone in your house to remove their shoes before they step off the mat or rug. This will keep a lot of dirt, chemicals, and pollutants from entering your home in the first place.

Keep Smoke Out Of Your House

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals. If you really want to keep harmful chemicals out of your house, you should start with never letting cigarette smoke in. If you currently smoke, you should set a goal to stop smoking to improve your health and your air quality. 

Keep The Air Fresheners Out Too

You may be surprised to learn that your air fresheners could actually be polluting your house with unnecessary chemicals. Recent test by the NRDC found that multiple home air fresheners contain phthalates chemicals. These chemicals are known to cause a host of hormonal abnormalities, reproductive issues, and birth defects. Reading the label does not help, as many of these chemicals are simply described as "fragrances" on the labels. If you want fresh air, open a window.

As you start to spend more time inside of your house this winter, make sure the air you are breathing is clean by scheduling an air quality consultation. You should also vacuum and mop every couple of days to keep your floors clean. Place a mat at any entrances to your house, and ask everyone to remove their shoes before going any further. Keep cigarette smoke and air fresheners out of your house. If you follow all of the above steps, the air you breathe will be cleaner this winter, and you will be healthier as well! Visit http://www.arguspacific.com for more information.

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