Improving Indoor Air Quality
Content Provided by TheEverydayHome.com

I sometimes like to sleep with a bedroom window open when the weather’s chilly. Blame it on holdover from children - the urge to huddle under a big pile of quilts. I like the window open to clean the “stuffiness” out of the room and allow in fresh air.

But an open window during frigid weather is sometimes unhealthy, not to mention unworkable.

How can one keep indoor air clean?

If you can stand it, open a window or two for a few minutes during the day. With the build up of fumes from cleaners, polish, the fireplace, and other things, the quality of indoor air usually isn’t the best it can be. Airing out the house a few minutes during the day will clear away some of the toxins.

Humidifiers also improve indoor air quality. With central heating – even radiators – the air tends to dry out. A humidifier will reintroduce moisture in the air, making it easier to breath. Additionally, humidifiers are beneficial to people with year-round allergies, and the moisture will help keep skin smooth and supple.

Did you know that plants improve air quality? Consider investing in a few house plants. According to a study by NASA, indoor plants absorb certain pollutants, such as asbestos, carbon monoxide, chemicals from detergents, solvents, and cleaning fluids, and other harmful substances, converting some chemicals to fresh oxygen. (Source)

If you have a vacuum cleaner, consider buying a HEPA filter for it, which keeps dirt from flying back into the air.

You can improve indoor air quality by “outlawing” smoking in the house, using cleaning products with natural ingredients, and frequently changing filters on heating and cooling systems.