10 Things To Do To Improve Air Quality at Home

If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it is important to be aware of the air quality in your home. Many people are surprised to learn that the average home has poor air quality and that they are being regularly exposed to indoor air pollution. However, there are many steps you can take to improve your home air quality, from decreasing humidity to changing household appliance filters. This will dramatically reduce the risk of asthma attacks and flare ups. 

Why Does Air Quality Matter?

We tend to think of our homes as clean and safe environments and we often don’t consider the quality of the air inside our house. But it is important to be aware of air quality, both in the outside world and around the home. Indoor air pollution can pose a risk to health and can be especially problematic due to the long periods of time we spend at home. 

Indoor air pollution can be caused by a variety of everyday household appliances and activities. Some of the common causes of poor air quality in the home include:

• Harsh cleaning chemicals
• Wood burning heaters
• Unflued gas heaters
• Central heating and cooling systems
• Excess moisture and mould.

10 Ways to Improve Home Air Quality  

There are many simple things you can do to improve the air quality in your home and reduce your exposure to indoor air pollution.

1. Change Your Air Conditioning Filter

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When was the last time you changed your air conditioning filter? It is recommended that home air conditioning filters are changed once every six to twelve months and making this a regular part of your Spring-cleaning routine is a good idea to keep your home air quality high. 

The filter is used to trap contaminants that can get into the air and circulate around the house. These include dust, fibres, pollen, bacteria and mould. When the filter is overwhelmed, these nasty particles can start to pollute your air. 

Most air conditioning filters are easy to remove and dispose of. You can buy new ones from the manufacturer. An added benefit is that replacing the filter keeps the air conditioning running more efficiently, reducing your energy costs! 

2. Check Air Ducts

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If you have air vents in your home, it’s likely that these have gathered plenty of dust, pollen and more. Cleaning air ventilation ducts is vital to prevent indoor air pollutants and improve your air quality. 

You can dust and brush out your air ducts every few months to keep them clean. At least once a year, you should also conduct a thorough deep clean, breaking down any grime and grease that has built up over time. Using a vacuum cleaner is a good way to gather up all the particles without letting them spread around the house. 

If there is mould or mildew in your air ducts, it’s best to hire some professional help to clean it. Dealing with mould spores can be tricky and any left behind pose a serious risk to your health. 

3. Use Kitchen Range Hoods and Vents

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The smell of food cooking on your stovetop can be delicious at the time, but it’s a good idea to use your kitchen range hood to suck up those odours. Hoods are designed to remove smoke and grease that can be generated while you’re cooking. They are especially important if you get distracted and something gets burnt; those fumes can be very harsh for people with breathing issues.

If you have a gas stovetop, range hoods also help to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Always turn on the hood when using gas, and check all burners are switched off after use.

4. Regularly Clean Rugs and Carpets

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Carpet and floor rugs feel amazing under your feet and keep your home warm and cosy. However, they can also trap dirt, dust and allergens. As you walk around the home, your feet stir up these particles and can exacerbate breathing problems.

Additionally, when your carpet or rugs are clogged with dust, it can impede the airflow through your home and create a sense of stuffiness. Clean carpets ensure that air is able to circulate more through the home, keeping everything fresher and cleaner.

Vacuuming weekly is a good idea to keep carpets and rugs clean. You should also steam clean your carpets, or get in the professionals to do this, every few months. Not only will your air quality be improved—your rugs will look and feel better too! 

5. Regularly Clean Blinds and Curtains

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Just like rugs on your floor, curtains and blinds can gather dust and dirt and allow these pollutants to affect the air quality of your home. Regularly dusting and cleaning window blinds is highly recommended to keep your home clean and to avoid allergens in the air.

The way you clean blinds and curtains will depend on the materials. Hard blinds made of materials such as wood, plastic and metal can be wiped down with a damp cloth. Softer curtains and blinds may require vacuuming or even removal for a proper deep clean. If in doubt, use a professional cleaning service.

6. Control Your Home’s Humidity 

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Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. In some climates and weather conditions, humidity is unavoidable. However, it should be minimised as much as possible in the home environment.  

High humidity increases the number of harmful bacteria and other organisms in the air. These can cause respiratory problems and infections, and they make it easier for germs to spread.

You can reduce indoor humidity by using your air conditioner, keeping your home well ventilated, drying laundry outside, and avoiding long hot showers. You can also purchase dehumidifiers, which remove excess moisture from the air.

7. Purchase Indoor Plants

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Indoor plants not only look great: they greatly improve your air quality too. Plants can help to purify the air and remove toxins, making your home cleaner and healthier. 

There are other advantages to indoor plants as well. They have been shown to positively impact people’s moods and reduce stress. 

If you’re looking to purchase indoor plants, check out your local nursery. Many major hardware stores also stock plants for indoors. There are many to choose from, with some of the most popular including Fiddle Leaf Figs, Peace Lilies and Monsteras. 

8. Clear Your Vacuum Cleaner Filter

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Believe it or not, sometimes the thing you are using to help clean your home is contributing to the problem! Modern vacuums are very effective at collecting small particles of dirt and dust, but they do need to be emptied regularly. If not, the machine will work far less effectively, meaning that your carpets, rugs, curtains, and soft furnishings may not actually be clean after a vacuum.

Try to empty your vacuum filter outside where possible. This messy job often results in some of the contents of the filter escaping—which can mean more particles polluting your air.

9. Frequently Air Rooms

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A well-ventilated home has far better air quality than one that remains shut up for long periods of time. Many people have experienced going into an old or disused space and seeing the dust that has gathered. Regularly airing rooms prevent this build up and allow clean and fresh air to circulate.

You should aim to air your home every day, for at least ten minutes. This can be difficult on particularly wet or cold days, but trying to get air moving through the home as often as possible makes a big difference to air quality. This allows any polluted air to move out and reduces humidity and built-up particles.

10. Invest in an Air Purifier

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Air purifiers can be purchased to clean the air inside your home and improve your air quality. Air purifiers are particularly helpful for people who suffer from allergies or asthma, and are also recommended for people with pets who shed hair. 

They work by sucking in the air using a fan and filtering this air back out into the room. The filter captures particles and pollution in the air and will require changing each year (or more often if used frequently). 

Some very small particles can be missed by an air purifier, so it’s a good idea to combine their use with some of the other recommendations listed above.

Other Ways to Reduce Asthma Attacks and Flare Ups

1. Identify Your Asthma Triggers

Asthma attacks can be caused by a range of triggers, but not everything will have the same effect. While one person suffering from asthma may always have a reaction to cold air, another person might not be bothered by it. 

It’s important that people living with asthma get to know their own individual triggers and actively take steps to avoid them. Each time you have an asthma attack or flare up, it might be a good idea to write down the cause. Some common triggers to avoid include:

• Exercise
• Smoke
• Perfume and fragrances
• Cold or flu
• Allergies

2. Avoid Allergens

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Many people with asthma will also have allergies to common things such as pollen. Always avoid situations where you will be exposed to allergens. An allergic reaction can increase inflammation in your airways, making asthma flare up more likely. You can use some of the tips listed above to remove and reduce allergens in your home and ensure you have high quality air to breathe when in your own space.

3. Stay Healthy

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Asthma sufferers should take extra precautions during cold and flu season to avoid catching any viruses. These make asthma symptoms worse and can trigger an attack. 

Always get the latest flu vaccination when it becomes available and avoid close contact with people who may be sick. If you can, try not to enter places where it can be hard to stay away from people who are unwell, such as a crowded train carriage.

Follow guidelines to prevent illness, such as washing your hands thoroughly after touching common surfaces. You may want to also take a vitamin supplement to help boost your immune system.

4. Stay Awake From Smoke

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The smoke of any kind is a common trigger for asthma attacks. If you are a smoker, you should speak to your doctor about quitting urgently. If you don’t smoke, avoid people who are smoking or places where smoking is permitted.

Smoke from open fires can also cause a problem. Be careful if you’re camping or if you have an open fire in your home. Sometimes even candles and incense can cause an asthma flare up. 

5. Take Asthma Medication

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Many asthma sufferers will only take medication when they feel a flare up or attack coming on. However, it may be a good idea to speak with your healthcare team about long-term medications that are designed to prevent symptoms before they happen. These medicines are taken daily and help to keep your asthma under control by easing inflammation in your airways.

There are side effects to some of these medications, so talk to your doctor about finding the right solution for you.

Have an Action Plan Ready

Every asthma sufferer should have their own individual asthma action plan. This is a written plan, developed in consultation with your doctor, which gives clear instructions on what to do in the case of a flare up or attack.

The plan includes any medication that is being used, how to adjust treatment in response to particular signs and symptoms, when to seek medical advice, and when the situation becomes urgent. It can be used by you and it should be accessible for loved ones, colleagues, or whoever may be available when you have an attack. 

Having a written asthma plan is one of the most effective asthma interventions available They have been shown to reduce the number of hospital admissions or emergency doctor visits for asthma sufferers, and can also reduce the need for medication, improve lung function, and prevent absences from work or study. 

Asthma attacks pose a serious risk to the health of many people, but they can be managed and avoided. Improving the air quality in your home will dramatically reduce the chance of airway inflammation and irritation. Additionally, taking steps to avoid asthma triggers and being prepared for flare ups can help to control the condition.

Need some assistance with care for yourself or your loved one? Find out how Homage can help!