Improving Indoor Air Quality: Simple Steps for a Healthier Home

Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a crucial role in our health and well-being, yet it often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. As we spend about 90% of our time indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air we breathe inside our homes can have a significant impact on our health, particularly for individuals with asthma or allergies. With October being Indoor Air Quality Month, it’s the perfect time to examine how we can improve the air quality in our homes, keeping allergens, dust, and pollutants at bay.

Proper ventilation, regular cleaning, and the use of scientifically tested products are essential to maintaining good IAQ. This article will guide you through practical ways to enhance IAQ, focusing on the importance of choosing asthma & allergy friendly® CERTIFIED products and how small changes can create a healthier living space for you and your family.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. In enclosed spaces like homes, dust, allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and small particulate matter can accumulate, contributing to poor IAQ. For individuals with asthma or allergies, poor IAQ can exacerbate symptoms, leading to coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Even those without pre-existing respiratory conditions can experience fatigue, headaches, and long-term respiratory issues from breathing in polluted air.

The key to maintaining clean indoor air is to minimize the presence of pollutants and allergens. This can be achieved through a combination of proper ventilation, regular cleaning, and the use of products that have been independently tested and validated to support a healthier indoor environment.

The Importance of Regular Cleaning for IAQ

Regular cleaning is vital for maintaining good indoor air quality. Dust, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens tend to settle on surfaces like floors, furniture, and even soft toys, contributing to poor IAQ. To keep allergens under control, it’s important to establish a cleaning routine that removes these particles without sending them back into the air.

Vacuuming: Vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to remove dust, dirt, and allergens from carpets, rugs, and floors. However, not all vacuum cleaners are created equal. Many traditional vacuum cleaners may release some of the dust and allergens back into the air during use. Choosing an asthma & allergy friendly® CERTIFIED vacuum cleaner ensures that the vacuum is equipped with an advanced filtration system, and that the integrity of the vacuum ensures that air will not be able to bypass the filter and reintroduce dust into the room. These vacuums are also tested for their ability to maintain strong suction power while minimizing emissions, ensuring a thorough clean.

Dusting: Dusting is another essential part of cleaning for better IAQ. When dusting, it’s important to use a moist cloth rather than a dry one to prevent dust particles from becoming airborne. Dust can accumulate on cluttered surfaces, making it harder to remove, so decluttering your space can make cleaning more effective and reduce the amount of dust in your home.

Choosing CERTIFIED Cleaning Products: When it comes to cleaning products, it’s not just about removing dirt—it’s about ensuring that the products themselves don’t contribute to poor IAQ. Many conventional cleaning products contain VOCs, which can be released into the air as gases, irritating the eyes, nose, and throat. Cleaning products that are CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet stringent VOC emission criteria, effectively reduce allergens without redistributing them into the air, and are made from ingredients that are more suitable for sensitive individuals.

The Role of Ventilation in Indoor Air Quality

Ventilation is one of the most effective ways to improve IAQ. It helps to reduce the concentration of pollutants in indoor air by allowing fresh outdoor air to circulate inside. Without proper ventilation, indoor air becomes stagnant, and allergens such as pet dander, mold spores, dust mite allergen and pollutants such as VOCs from cleaning products, paint and insulation can build up over time.

Opening windows regularly, especially while cooking or cleaning, is a simple way to ventilate your home. However, if you or someone in your household suffers from pollen allergies, this may not always be the best solution. In these cases, a pollen screen can be a valuable investment.

The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program has developed rigorous testing standards for pollen screens to ensure they effectively block pollen while still allowing fresh air to flow into your home. These screens are tested to ensure they capture various types of pollen without compromising air circulation, providing a balance between ventilation and allergen control.

Preventing Mold and Managing Humidity

Mold thrives in damp environments and can significantly worsen indoor air quality, especially for people with asthma and allergies. Mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory symptoms, and asthma attacks. To prevent mold growth, it’s important to manage humidity levels in your home.

Keep humidity levels below 60% to reduce the likelihood of mold and dust mites. In areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements where moisture levels are higher, proper ventilation is crucial. Make sure exhaust fans are working efficiently, and consider using a dehumidifier if necessary.

In addition to managing humidity, it’s essential to promptly remove any mold-damaged materials and clean affected surfaces. When cleaning mold, wear protective gear like gloves and a mask to avoid exposure to mold spores. Using disposable cloths or sponges can prevent the spread of mold to other areas of the house.

Other Considerations for Better IAQ

There are several other everyday practices you can adopt to improve IAQ and create a healthier home environment:

Avoid Candles: Burning candles can release small particulate matter into the air, contributing to indoor air pollution. If you enjoy the ambiance of candles, consider using electric candles as an alternative.

Cooking Appliances: Be aware that gas stoves can release nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, both of which can negatively affect IAQ. When cooking, ensure your kitchen is well-ventilated, either by using an exhaust fan or opening windows.

Limit Chemical Exposure: Be mindful of the cleaning and personal care products you use. Some products contain harmful chemicals that can be released into the air, contributing to poor IAQ. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid mixing different cleaning products, as this can cause dangerous chemical reactions.

The Value of Third-Party Certification

With so many products on the market claiming to improve indoor air quality, it can be difficult to know which ones truly deliver. This is where third-party certification becomes invaluable. The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program tests products rigorously to ensure they meet high standards for allergen reduction, low chemical emissions, and overall performance. By choosing products with this certification, you can trust that they have been scientifically tested to improve indoor air quality and create a healthier home environment.

Products that are part of this program include vacuum cleaners, cleaning products, air purifiers, bedding, insulation, paint and laundry machines and detergents. Each product undergoes testing to ensure it effectively reduces allergens without worsening IAQ, making them suitable for those with asthma and allergies.

Conclusion

Improving indoor air quality doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By making small changes, such as using CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® products, establishing regular cleaning routines, and ensuring proper ventilation, you can significantly enhance the air quality in your home. During Indoor Air Quality Month, take the time to evaluate your household practices and consider how you can create a cleaner, healthier living space for you and your family.