25 Ways to Clean Your Indoor Air

Did you know that the month of May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and in honor of that I am partnering with Filtrete to help you find great ideas to clean your indoor air(all opinions are mine!).  You wouldn’t believe it but according to the The American Lung Association the indoor air quality of your home could be 2-­‐5 times worse than the air outdoors, according to the EPA!  Yeah, that is pretty scary to me considering some reports say we spend 90% of our time indoors.

So, there are three strategies that the EPA recommends for reducing indoor air pollution, controlling sources of pollution, ventilating adequately and cleaning indoor air.  I’ve been collecting a bunch of great ideas for cleaning out your air. 

25 Ways to Clean Your Indoor Air!

Filters: 

1. Proper Filters:   Did you know that the air filter in your heating and cooling system can help create  healthier indoor air by capturing airborne allergens such as pollen, mold spores, dust mite debris, smoke, pet dander and smog from the air passing through the filter.  Sort of like vacuuming your air!  (and you don’t have to put much effort into the work it is doing!  Bonus!)

• Try out  the Filtrete Odor Reduction Filter which has a unique two-­‐sided design, with one side that captures large airborne particles and the second side that removes household odors.  It is the most effective 1” odor-­‐reduction filter at removing odors in the home—such as those from cooking, tobacco smoke, pets, mildew and cleaning chemicals—and is 65 times more effective* than other carbon filters {*Based on comparison of organic vapor capacity vs. other national retail furnace filter brands}   It last up to three months for odor removal and particle capture for air passing through the filter.  MSR Price: $15.99 which is a great price!  They can be purchased at Lowe’s,  Target,  Walmart, Costco and your local hardware store. Find a location near you by visiting FindMyFiltreteFilter.com

2. New filters: Change out your air filters regularly, the filter mentioned above lasts up to 3 months.  But if you are a big remodeler like me consider changing it out a little more often during times of construction!

3. Other filters: Don’t forget your other filters!   There are filters and screens around your home, for example  air purifiers, dryer lint screens, vacuum cleaners, range hood screens, bathroom exhaust fan grilles, etc.  Be sure to keep them clean or replace them as needed.  

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Keep it out: 

4. Please Remove Your Shoes.  Believe it or not your shoes and covered an a fine layer of chemicals, dirt, bacteria and mold.  Those contaminates will settle onto your flooring, carpeting and rugs.   Then As you walk around you can stir up these particles, causing you and your family to breathe them in.

5. Fresh air.  Opening a window isn’t always the best choice.  Be sure to check the air quality and pollen levels outside before opening the windows.

6. Cooking:  When you are using your stove top, be sure to turn on your outdoor venting fan to help moist, smoky or chemical laden air to leave the house.

7. Dry Cleaning:  Try to get your dry cleaning done with a few days to spare for them to air out at the dry cleaners!  That way you can pick them up after they dried completely and have let let off most chemicals.  There are also less toxic dry cleaning options, so be sure to do your research.

8. Attached Garage:  Be sure to open you garage door fully before stating your car.  When you pull back into your garage, also be sure to leave the door open for a few minutes after turning the car off to allow fumes to escape.  Otherwise overtime the carbon monoxide can enter your home.

9. Fireplaces: Be sure your fireplace flue is inspected by a pro to be sure that it is working properly and keep those particles out of your indoor air. 

10. Bathroom Fans: When you shower or use hot water in your bathroom, be sure to use you bathroom fans to vent out all the steam and extra moisture in the bathroom air that can cause mold and mildew growth.

11. No Air Freshners!  Homeowners often turn to products to help mask odors in the home but often times do not realize that they may also contribute to poor indoor air quality.  According to the EPA air fresheners actually release VOC’s into the air.   Scented candles and incense may contain particulates, soot and chemicals.   For a safer air freshener, dip cotton balls in a sweet smelling extract or essential oil and stash them around the house.  (and don’t forget the odor eliminating air filters like I mentioned above!)

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 Cleaning Tips:

12. Clean Ducts!  Have your air ducts cleaned.  Make sure the contractor is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (nadca.com) and uses not only high velocity air but a whip that is fed through the ductwork to loosen up any debris stuck to the walls of the sheet-metal.  A good resource for deciding when and why to clean you ducts is here. 

13.  Vacuum Often.  Ideally, you should be vacuuming twice a week.  It is a great way to get rid of excess dust, dust mites, lead, mold, and pet dander.  Use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA type filter, so that as you are cleaning you are not just spitting the dust back into the air.  Consider changing bags and or cleaning out filters outside.

14. Beware of Cleaners.  Household cleaners, even “green” cleaners often contain cancer causing chemicals (check out goodguide.com).  The best bet it to use TRULY nontoxic cleaners like baking soda, salt, lemon juice, essential oils and vinegar- check out this post 25 ways to clean with vinegar.

15.  Simplify. You don’t have to have harsh chemicals and antibacterial in the title to be able to clean something.  Opt for a nice HOT bucket of water and a bit of dish soap.   Scrub scrub!

16. Read Directions:  Ever wondered why that cleaner warns you to have proper ventilation?   Well, the answer is easy, you shouldn’t be breathing in those fumes!  Be sure to read and follow directions on any cleaning or other product you use in your home. 

17. Overspray!  When using any type of cleaner don’t spray cleansers directly on the surface you’re scrubbing. Avoid the chemicals being misted directly into the air.  Try pouring the cleaner directly onto a rag or paper towel first and then wiping the surface.  YOu can also try pre-wet wipes.

Finishes:

21. VOC Free Paints- More and more paint lines have options for VOC low or free paints. (volatile organic compounds= bad) Wherever possible opt for these types of paint, the fewer fumy chemicals you bring into your home the better.   Especially since off-gassing can continue for a long time.

22.  Control Dust Mites!  Whenever possible, opt for hard surface flooring.  Be sure to vacuum and or launder throw rugs often!

Plants and Pets:

23.  Pet Dander! This is a tough one and SO personal, I know I couldn’t handle it, but try to prevent animal dander. Most doctors suggest that people allergic to animal dander not keep household pets with feathers or fur.  OUCH!  If you are having problems with pet allergies you need to clean the air, walls and moldings and it may take some time.    If you can have your pet live at a friend’s or family member’s house for 2 months and clean the house thoroughly to see if your symptoms improve.  When they return see how your body responds.  If you decide to keep the pet there are a few things you can do to help yourself.  Ban them from any bedrooms, and be sure to keep the doors closed.

24.  Plant it! There are several great plants that can help your air to be cleaned of toxins.  One caveat to adding plants is that you have to be SURE to control the water and not create a mold or mildew problem!!!  Also if you have children or pets, be sure to know what plants are poisonous before bringing them into your home.   Great air filtering plants include

• Orchids: may seem like a hard to plant to care for, but they actually thrive on neglect.  Don’t kill them with kindness (too much water and sunlight).  They filter: xylene , a pollutant found in many glues and paints.  Orchids respire and give off oxygen at night – so they’re great for the bedroom!  And they just look so good in decor which is win/win!
• Palms:  hardy, exotic looking  and easy to grow, palms filter formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide
• Philodendrons need very little attention! They filter xylene, a toxin found in glues and leathers.
• Aloe Vera - Aloe is mostly know for medical uses like relieving burns, but why not a two-fer!  Easy to keep alive, and sculptural looking!   Aloe filters formaldahyde!
• 19 other great plants  a few other options, rubber plant, Janet Craig dracaena

Safety Warnings:

25.  Lethal Fumes: Beware of lethal fumes and be sure to have adequate alarms for these types of gases, carbon monoxide, radon and second hand smoke.  Be sure to install a carbon monoxide detector and have a radon test preformed in your home, and please do not smoke indoors or allow friends to.

Filtrete  Healthy Home Remodel Contest 2

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