Is The Air In My Home Clean? The air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. This should be an eye opener for all because it means that when you’re suffering from allergies and asthma symptoms, it’s likely that your indoor environment – the cleanliness of your home is to blame.
Homeowners who purchase a humidifier or dehumidifier may not realize that these devices may worsen their symptoms by increasing mold levels and spores in the air. Mold growth increases with higher humidity levels.
The best way to ensure healthy humidity levels inside the home is with a whole-house dehumidifier system which removes moisture as soon as it enters your home before turning into its more problematic cousins: molds and mildew. Read on!
The best way to know how clean the air is in your home is to purchase and use a portable air quality monitor. You can immediately purchase a monitor to determine the source of the problem if you notice any adverse reactions from the air, such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing, irritation of the eyes or nose, or other allergy symptoms. Use a monitor to determine which house rooms are the worst offenders, and then focus your cleaning efforts on those areas.
If you haven’t seen actual mold growing in your home, but are experiencing symptoms of mold exposure, chances are you have hidden mold. Testing and inspection are necessary to determine if you have a mold problem.
If there is visible evidence of water damage or leaks behind walls or ceilings, these places become prime breeding grounds for mold. Sometimes these mold infestations can be accessed by testing the material that has been removed from the surface of walls and ceilings.
It is essential to test for mold at least once a year, but testing is recommended annually. If you’ve been in your home for an extended period, it may be best to test annually. Mold can grow within 24-48 hours after moisture is introduced into the air; therefore, it’s wise to test during the warmer months when the temperature is higher and more moisture can be introduced.
Humidity levels in the home should be between 30-50%. If you live in a tropical country like Singapore, it can be challenging to maintain home humidity levels below 50% all year around. It is a good idea to keep a portable dehumidifier in high moisture areas during the rainy season and use it after the home has been flooded.
The dehumidifier will help to remove excess moisture from the air and prevent mold growth. The same goes for when you shower, prepare food or clean your home; you must allow proper ventilation to prevent mold growth.
A dirty home can still produce unclean air despite frequent vacuuming and clean-up in areas where food is stored. Constant exposure to bacteria and virus-carrying particles from kitchen and bathroom surfaces can lead to illness. In addition, some of these bacteria are not only harmful to people; they may also cause health problems for animals.
As a result, pet dander causes allergic reactions in pet owners and is one of the leading causes of indoor air pollution. Contact can transfer pet dander to household surfaces such as furniture, carpets, and walls.
To keep the air in your home clean, you should regularly remove dust and dirt from hard surfaces. In addition to vacuuming at least once a week, it’s recommended that you wipe down kitchen cabinets, sinks, and countertops at least once a week with warm soapy water. Use disinfectants or antibacterial cleaning products on all hard surfaces in the kitchen every two weeks.
You can reduce air pollution around your home or office using simple and inexpensive methods. There are several ways that you can use to achieve this goal.
If a used appliance has been powered on in your home for more than one year, this appliance is considered outdated. It can be harmful because it produces hazardous gases like unburned hydrocarbons, which are connected to cancer risk and other diseases. So before purchasing a new appliance, ensure that the used appliance you plan to buy has an extended warranty period.
It would help if you also considered replacing old appliances. For example, if there is a refrigerator in your home that uses R-12 freon, this is considered outdated because it should have been replaced more than ten years ago.
One of the easiest ways to reduce heat in your home is by opening your windows and letting the fresh air in. This can be done primarily at night to sleep better and healthier.
Also, it is best to open your windows when you are not using a heater or air conditioner so that these appliances do not have to work hard all day. In addition, your house will be cleaner and healthier because fewer particles are floating in the air when the windows are open.
The use of a vacuum cleaner can help to reduce the amount of dust in your home. Keeping it clean can eliminate nearly 99% of the dust and allergens inside your home. In addition, you must change the vacuum bag or filter regularly to ensure the effectiveness of your machine. You should follow these simple ways to improve air quality at home and ensure that they are done regularly.
If the clothes you wear are not washed regularly, they can cause significant air pollution in your home. Dust mites found on our clothing and pillows are a significant cause of air pollution in our homes. These dust mites will become active when they come into contact with moisture, which causes them to reproduce.
In addition, these dust mites produce waste products that contain several bacteria that cause various illnesses like asthma and skin diseases. So to reduce the amount of dust and bacteria, it is essential to wash your clothes regularly to eliminate the harmful microbes.
Carpet is a perfect medium for house dust mites to live and reproduce. These mites are significant causes of allergies, such as asthma and eczema. So, to reduce the number of dust mites in your home, you should remove all carpets from your home. If you want to keep the carpet in one room, you must use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter system and thoroughly vacuum it regularly with care to eliminate these dust mites.
It is essential to ensure that you have a healthy environment at home. If your home has mold, you must act fast to ensure that the damage is not permanent. By taking these simple steps in reducing air pollution at home, you can improve your health and maintain a clean house all the time.