The time we have been spending inside our homes has been significant these past months, and while the walls may feel as if the walls are closing in at times, staying home ensures you are doing your part to get the pandemic under control.
Lots of things matter in keeping your home healthy and safe. One of the important ones is your home’s air quality.
According to Health Canada, the major sources of pollutants in your home include activities that involve burning, such as smoking, cooking, and heating a building; the use of household items such as cleaners or candles; water leaks, and poor ventilation. Here are a few tips to keep the air as fresh as possible in your home:
Reduce or eliminate common indoor air contaminants. The list of common indoor air contaminants includes pets, smoking, dust, certain cleaning products and even gas stoves if you don’t have a proper exhaust fan or range hood. Using these items less often can make a huge difference.
Improve air circulation and ventilation. Enjoy fresher air indoors by improving air circulation. Leave a door or window open to get the exchange of air if the air is not smoggy. Keep beds, bedding and furniture away from outside walls to allow enough air and heat flow around furnishings. You can also run your bathroom and kitchen fans to encourage ventilation and reduce odours and pollutants.
Keep a clean house. Regular cleaning using a mix of methods can help improve indoor air quality.
• Clean floors with a damp mop or cloth.
• Clean the lint tray every time you use the dryer and check for lint build-up on the outside vent.
• Use a mattress and pillow protector. Also vacuum mattresses and wash sheets once a week in hot water.
• Vacuum often. Consider installing a central vacuum that is vented outdoors. You can also use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter that traps small particles.
