Keeping the home sealed allows you to stay warm and cozy when winter comes. But if someone in the house has respiratory problems, he might end up sneezing throughout the cold season if indoor allergens are present. Allergy-inducing mold spores and dust mites can also increase when the indoor air is stale and the heating system is not working properly.
The situation is further exacerbated by the pandemic. It is necessary to ensure the indoor air is clean to avoid getting infected. Aside from the virus and allergens, households should also take care of protecting themselves against carbon monoxide.
So, homeowners need to implement measures to improve the quality of indoor air of homes to protect them from the virus. This is particularly true with the emergence of new variants of the virus. Here are the ways homeowners can improve indoor air quality to keep their homes safe during the pandemic.
Clean the House
The first thing that homeowners should do is to keep the house clean. Good indoor hygiene can reduce the amount of dust in the house. They should also work on reducing pet dander or tiny flecks of animal skin. These can trigger allergic reactions in some people who are allergic to fur or feathers.
To keep the house clean, they should vacuum carpets and rugs at least once a week using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner. To reduce the volume of allergens, homeowners can opt to remove wall-to-wall carpeting in the house.
Additionally, they should clear all the clutter in the house since they trap dust that can cause allergic reactions. Cleaning the drapes, bedding, and items that attract allergens is also advisable. This is particularly true for households with pets. They can wash these items in 130-degree Fahrenheit water. For the pillow covers, homeowners should get the ones made of materials that keep dust mites away.
Get an Air Purifier
Homeowners can also install an air purifier inside the house. Cleaning can help reduce indoor allergens, but there are instances when it is challenging to control the source of these allergens. Using an air purifier can help them keep the indoor air safe and clean.
They can install these devices in areas where people normally congregate. Ionic air purifiers can help reduce irritants that can trigger allergic reactions among people in the household. While removing the source is ideal, people are not keen on leaving their beloved pets in an animal shelter.
To prevent mold growth, homeowners can install dehumidifiers in damp areas in the house, like the basement. They can also ensure the bathroom is well ventilated, and homeowners should remove any signs of mold growth in these areas.
Replace the Filters
Homeowners should replace the filter of the HVAC system of the house. Replacing the filters reduces the chances of airborne irritants recirculating inside the house. They can also use electrostatic filters since they trap irritants and prevent them from going around the house.
It is also advisable for homeowners to conduct local exhaust ventilation or an LEV assessment to test the efficiency of the system. The test also checks if the equipment is still safe to use. They can get in touch with a company that is offering this service.
Keep Plants Outside
While indoor plants may spruce up the interior of the house, they also promote mold growth. To avoid this problem, homeowners will have to leave these plants outside. Instead of putting them inside the house, homeowners can use them to enhance the porch.
Keeping these plants outside can reduce allergy triggers and ensure everyone stays healthy and safe. Even if some plants can enhance indoor air quality, homeowners should weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of having these plants inside the house. They should avoid creating a problem for people who have allergies, especially the younger household members.
Open the Windows
Improving indoor ventilation is a good way to allow fresh air into the house. Opening the windows when it’s safe is a good way to prevent viruses from accumulating inside the house. If the house has many windows, the homeowners can open more than one window to promote air circulation.
They can also turn on the fans to remove potential contaminants in the air. It is also a good idea to open the windows while cooking to take out cooking fumes. But before opening the windows, homeowners should make sure it is safe to do so. It’s not a good idea to open the window if it increases the risk of allergic reactions among some household members.
Improving the quality of indoor air is essential to reduce the risk of infection during a pandemic.
