7 Secrets To Good Indoor Air Quality During Winter

If Your Home Could Talk, What Would It Say? 

In these winter months, when we expect more extreme weather and temperature swings, many of us depend on our homes to keep us warm, healthy and happy. Your home is trying to do its part, but there may be good days and bad days. If your home could talk, what would it say about your indoor air quality today?

The fact is that indoor allergens and pollutants are worst in the winter when homes are sealed against the cold. That’s why I’m checking in. When your home is talking, I’m listening. Would you like to know what I’m hearing it say? Here are my 7 secrets to good indoor air quality during winter months:

 1. “Make a clean sweep of things.”

Sweep, vacuum, dust and mop to improve indoor air quality dramatically. Use hypoallergenic or natural cleaning products to undercut the impact of harsh chemicals on our living spaces, especially when living with children, pets, or elders.

2. “When’s the last time Fido had a bath?”

Man’s best friend is even better when defurred and defunked. Pet hair can really clog those intake vents, and what goes in also comes out.

3. “Please don’t take me out of circulation.”

Stale air isn’t healthy air. Use ceiling and vent fans to keep air circulating throughout the home, and every so often, crack the windows a bit and let a little fresh air into your world.  You can also simmer cinnamon, cloves, and citrus peels on the back of the stove to freshen air when it’s too cold to open the windows.

4. “Buy an air purifier already.”

In some cases, an air purifier is a logical next step to make certain the air quality in our homes remains high. You’ll need to know the estimated square footage for the rooms in your home in order to make a good decision about the unit that meets your home’s air quality needs. Need to remove noxious odor, smoke, or chemical scents? Consider renting an ozone machine instead.

5. “When’s the last time you checked the filter?”

Change, clean, or upgrade your air filters to minimize airborne particles or contaminants.

6. “Make a laundry list.”

Rugs, curtains, throws, shower curtains, and other fabric items in the home may harbor dust. At home, we take these types décor items down and wash them regularly in hot water to cut down on allergens.

7. “Dehumidifiers are some of my best friends.”

Energy efficiency measures can trap humidity in homes, especially in winter. A dehumidifier will help remove excess moisture when the humidity creeps up. Though sometimes considered a springtime issue, my experience is that mold, mildew, dust mites, and roaches thrive in humid conditions in homes during our Appalachian winters.