Improving Indoor Air Quality at Home

indoor fresh air

Low air quality in your home can have a big effect on your health, and mood. It can be caused by a number of factors such as pollution from the outside, poor building materials as well as emissions from heating and appliances. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to asthma, fatigue and lung disease. Here are a few suggestions:

Add some indoor plants
Research from NASA discovered that many houseplants improve the air quality, absorb carbon dioxide and can improve your feelings of wellbeing. Suggestions include: Bamboo Palm, English Ivy, Peace Lily, Boston Fern, Spider Plant, Lavender, Golden Pothos, Variegated Snake Plant, Aloe Vera, Gerbera Daisy, Dracaena and Rubber Plant.

Pick furniture and paints carefully
Choose those that have low levels of, or are VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) free, as many new pieces of furniture, carpet, flooring and paints continue to  emit polluting gases into the environment long after installation.

Keep you AC spotless
Air conditioners can really help improve air quality in your home by drying the air in your home out and refreshing the stale air.

Use eco-friendly cleaning products
A clean home is less likely to contain dust and other particles that can lower air quality and irritate allergies. Where possible use completely natural cleaning products such as lemon and vinegar that leave no toxic footprint behind.

Beeswax candles are perfect air purifiers
Pollen, dust, dirt, pollutants, and any other junk in the air carry a positive charge, so when a beeswax candle is burning the negative ions released into the air cause these positively charged particles to be sucked into the candles or to fall from suspension.

Buy an air purifier
Look for one with a HEPA filter that will remove any air borne particles such as pollens, dust mites, pet dander and mould spores, along with an activated carbon filter which removes gasses and chemicals including smoke from the air.

Keep your sheets and clothes clean|
Dust mites are a leading cause of poor air quality. They can irritate your nose and throat leaving you feeling tired and lethargic. Dust mites often linger in the fabric of bedding, cushions, and curtains

Ventilate
Simply by opening the doors and windows is crucial for good indoor air quality. Good airflow will remove stagnant air and refresh the interior air.

Aboriginal flagTSI flagWhitehorse City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.