Simple Home Hacks To Reduce Pollution And Breathe Easy

Air pollution is not just an outdoor issue. Many of the same polluting substances are found in our homes and can have a detrimental effect on our health. The indoor air can become toxic with particulate matter like dust, smoke, allergens, mould, and gases like VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as chemical fumes from cooking and heating. As we spend a lot of time indoors, it is important to take measures to create a pollutant-free home. Here are some ways to reduce indoor air pollution and improve the air quality in your home.

Ban smoking indoors

Smoking is one of the most common indoor air pollutants, and the residual gas and particles from cigarette smoke can settle on upholstery and carpet, posing health hazards to those exposed. This is especially harmful to children, who are more likely to be playing on the ground, and people with chronic heart and lung problems. Secondhand smoke is responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in nonsmokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

• Educate your household members about the dangers of secondhand smoke: Inform them about the increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with exposure to secondhand smoke. Emphasise the importance of protecting nonsmokers, especially children, from these harmful effects.
• Establish a strict no-smoking policy indoors: Clearly communicate the ban to all household members, guests, and visitors. Display "No Smoking" signs in prominent places to reinforce the message.
• Designate a smoking area outdoors: If possible, create a designated smoking area outside the home, away from windows and doors, to minimise the impact of secondhand smoke on others. Ensure that smokers only smoke in this designated area.
• Encourage smokers in the household to quit: Offer support and resources to help them quit smoking. This can include nicotine replacement therapies, counselling, or joining a support group.
• Improve ventilation: Open windows and use exhaust fans to promote healthy indoor air and encourage the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. This will help dissipate any residual smoke and improve air quality.
• Clean and maintain indoor spaces: Regularly clean and vacuum indoor spaces to remove any residual smoke particles. Consider using a microfiber dusting cloth, which is more effective at capturing dust and particles than a cotton rag.
• Avoid using air fresheners or scented candles: These can trigger asthma and cause breathing problems for people with respiratory conditions. Opt for fragrance-free options or natural alternatives like essential oils.
• Consider investing in an air purifier: While an air purifier alone may not remove all indoor air impurities, it can help reduce them when used in conjunction with other measures. Look for purifiers with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filters, which are specifically designed to capture small particles.

Regularly bathe pets and wash their bedding

Regularly bathing your pets and washing their bedding is an effective way to reduce indoor air pollution in your home. Pet dander, dead skin cells, pollen, and dirt can all contribute to indoor air pollution and can be reduced by maintaining good hygiene for your pets.

When it comes to bathing your pets, the recommended frequency may vary depending on factors such as their breed, coat type, and lifestyle. Most dog breeds benefit from a bath every four to six weeks to maintain a clean and healthy coat while preventing skin issues. However, if your pet enjoys playing outdoors and tends to get dirty, you may need to bathe them more frequently. It is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate bathing frequency for your specific pet.

For pet bedding, it is recommended to wash it at least once a week to prevent the build-up of germs, dirt, pollen, and dead skin cells. Washing pet bedding regularly helps to eliminate potential allergens and keep your indoor environment clean and healthy.

By following a consistent bathing routine for your pets and regularly washing their bedding, you can effectively minimise the presence of allergens and pollutants in your home, contributing to improved indoor air quality.

Additionally, maintaining good ventilation in your home by opening windows and using exhaust fans can further enhance the air quality and create a healthier living environment for you and your furry companions.

Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom

Exhaust fans are an important tool in the battle against indoor air pollution. By installing and using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, you can effectively reduce pollutants and improve the air quality in your home.

In the kitchen, cooking is a major source of indoor air pollution. Ovens, stoves, and cooktops release chemical fumes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter such as dust, smoke, and allergens. A kitchen exhaust fan helps to remove these harmful substances from the air. It is recommended to use an exhaust fan while cooking to capture and expel pollutants at their source. Additionally, keeping the fan running for a short period after cooking can further reduce your exposure to pollutants. This is especially beneficial if your kitchen has a low flow rate exhaust fan, as the extended running time can compensate for the lower flow rate.

In the bathroom, an exhaust fan is crucial for extracting steam and preventing humidity. High humidity levels can promote the growth of mould and mildew, which are detrimental to indoor air quality and can trigger allergies and respiratory issues. By using a bathroom exhaust fan during and after showering or bathing, you can reduce moisture in the air, creating an environment that is less conducive to mould and mildew growth.

When selecting exhaust fans for your home, consider the airflow rate, as this is a key factor in determining the effectiveness of the fan. A higher airflow rate will result in more efficient pollutant removal. It is also important to ensure that your exhaust fans are functioning properly and that they are adequately vented to the outdoors. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the fans will help maintain their performance and ensure they are operating at optimal efficiency.

By incorporating exhaust fans into your daily routine and combining their use with other pollution-reducing strategies, you can make a significant impact on the air quality in your home, creating a healthier environment for you and your family.

Place a doormat at the entrance and enforce a no-shoes rule

One of the simplest ways to reduce indoor pollution is to place a doormat at the entrance of your home and enforce a no-shoes rule. This is because between 30 to 40% of the dust inside your household is brought in from outside, and much of this can be found in the carpeting near entryways.

The first four steps inside a home bring in close to 85% of the outdoor contaminants found inside, so it is important to start at the front door. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a system that captures soil, pollutants, and moisture at the door you use the most. Start with a grate-like mat, then an absorption mat, and finally a finishing mat.

Taking off your shoes at the door can provide health benefits and reduce exposure to pesticides, lead dust, and allergy triggers. A doormat will also help to keep your home cleaner by reducing the amount of dirt and debris that is tracked in. To keep your doormat working effectively, it is important to keep it clean. Regular cleaning can ensure that you keep allergens, road dirt, rotting leaves, mulch, and ticks or fleas to a minimum.

To clean your doormat, you will need a vacuum cleaner, a garden hose, and mild dish soap. Some people also use baking soda, a broom or a scrub brush, and a clothesline, depending on their cleaning method. Be sure to check the manufacturer's directions before cleaning. A good maintenance routine is to shake out the doormat weekly, vacuum it monthly, and rinse it off seasonally with a garden hose.

Vacuum carpets and rugs regularly

Regularly vacuuming your carpets and rugs is an important step in reducing indoor air pollution. Carpets and rugs can trap pollutants and allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mould spores, and other dirt and dust. These pollutants can be tracked into your home from outdoors or generated indoors, and they can become airborne during renovations, vacuuming, or even regular activities like walking on the carpet. Vacuuming helps to remove these particles and improve indoor air quality, especially if you use a vacuum with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.

However, it's important to note that vacuuming can also disturb settled particles, causing more pollution to become airborne. To mitigate this, it's recommended to open windows while vacuuming and to empty the vacuum's canister outdoors. Additionally, deep cleaning carpets and rugs annually using dry steam cleaning can help further reduce built-up pollutants.

The type and age of your carpet also play a role in pollution levels. Certain carpet types, such as shag or other high-pile varieties, as well as carpets older than 10 years, typically have higher levels of pollutants and allergens. If a large area of your home is covered in carpet, it may be challenging to remove indoor air pollutants and allergens effectively.

To minimise the impact of carpets and rugs on indoor air quality, it is suggested to opt for easily removable rugs that can be regularly cleaned on both sides. Additionally, choosing hard-surfaced flooring instead of carpets can be a more effective way to reduce pollutants in your home.

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