When looking to do home improvements, we tend to consider a new paint job, a kitchen remodeling or buying new furniture. Those are all great ideas and can really improve the style of your home. But improving your home environment also needs to happen behind the scenes. By focusing less on the general look of your home and taking a closer look at things such as your indoor air quality.
The air we breathe every day has an impact on our health. It’s easy to realize it when walking around a big city during rush hour. We start coughing, it damages our skin and just doesn’t make us feel good. But we tend to forget to also pay attention to the quality of the air we breathe in the most: the one in our own homes.
Poor air quality at home can cause both short-term and long-term health issues such as headaches, allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems.
Let’s take a look at how we can keep the air at home as clean and fresh as possible and feel our best throughout the day and night.
Reducing allergens such as dust, mold, pet dander, and dust mites should be number one on your list. This comes with a regular cleaning routine.
But first, make sure to replace your vacuum filter every 3 months Having a vacuum in good working condition will make your cleaning routine a lot more efficient!
Soft furnishings refer to the textile materials in your home. From cushions, and bed linens to curtains.
Soft furnishings easily collect dust and dirt and can damage the air quality of the room.
Of course, not every piece of textile in your home needs to be washed weekly.
| Weekly | Bed sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, bath and kitchen towels |
| Monthly | Blankets, mattress covers, comforters, table mates, table runners |
| Twice a year | Curtains, pillows, bed skirts, cushions, decorative sofa back throw |
We also recommend choosing hypoallergenic pillows and mattresses.
It’s not just about how often you clean but also how you clean. Switching to natural cleaning products is a great way to remove harmful chemicals from your environment.
Get in the habit of opening your windows multiple times a day to let fresh air in. This is also one of the reasons we get less sick in the summer than in the winter: we are more outdoors and recycle the air inside our homes more often during the summer months. So even if it’s a bit cold out, make sure to get the air flowing. Your body and health will thank you!
Do you have a heating/cooling system in your home? Take a moment and think back. When was the last time you changed the air filters? This is your reminder to do it every 3 months to make sure the air you are letting in your house is as clean as possible.
Take also a look at your fans, they may have collected a lot of dust by now.
Cleaning your carpet (yourself or with the help of a professional carpet cleaner) will not only reduce the amount of dust and dirt it has been collecting but also will help make it look fresh!
After deep cleaning it, you might realize you do not need a new carpet after all.
A good tip to keep your carpet clean is to take your shoes off inside your home. It will reduce the amount of dirt you’re bringing in and will reduce the amount of care it needs.
Air purifiers use internal fans to pull the air inside their system, filter the air and remove harmful airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and bacteria, and then circulate the clean and purified air back into the room.
Many homeowners use HEPA filters as they help remove 99% of harmful particles from the air.
Use it in rooms that you spend the most time in. You can run the air purifier at night in your bedroom or during the day in your home office for example.
Candles can be a great way to improve the general ambiance of a room and bring a nice scent to it. But keep in mind that not every candle is created equal. It’s important to pay attention to the type of candles you’ll decide to burn in your home.
Did you know that most “regular” candles are actually made from petroleum-based waxes? Those types of popular candles are the ones you want to avoid at all costs! Instead, choose non-toxic and eco-friendly alternatives such as soy or beeswax. If they might be a bit pricier to buy, they will actually last a lot longer making it 100% worth it!
Now keep in mind that candles, even non-toxic ones, are not made to be burned all day long! Burn them for a couple of hours then take a break and let them cool down.
When bringing a fresh scent to your interior, you also want to avoid fresheners that are often made with toxic ingredients. Why not make your own? All you’ll need is a spray bottle, water, rubbing alcohol, and your favorite essential oils.
If you’re worried the air quality of your home might be bad, we recommend testing it. You can purchase an air quality monitor or get professional help.
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