Are we helpless when it comes to controlling pollution? Sure, large corporate factories expel most of the pollution and cause all sorts of havoc for the environment, but so do we when we use chemical pollutants in our homes. Yes, we create pollutants indoors, and sometimes just as many as there are outdoors.

Our habits and traditional ways of doing things can harm indoor and outdoor environments. If you don’t think it’s a problem, consider the number of people in your family who suffer from allergies and minor health conditions like eye irritation, nasal congestion, sneezing, headaches, etc. These irritations can be a result of harmful toxins lurking in your home.

In fact, very high levels of chemical pollutants can affect normally healthy adults by overworking the liver and kidneys. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are more susceptible to health problems from chemical pollutants.

If you want to make the air in your home cleaner for your family, here are some effective ways to prevent chemical pollutants both indoors and out.

Reduce VOCs

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals found in many home products such as carpet, paint, wood, air fresheners, deodorants, and cigarettes. You can eliminate some of these VOCs by avoiding:

• Smoking indoors
• Products made of pressed wood (the glue used to hold the material together can contain harmful toxins)
• Poor ventilation
• High humidity levels (excess moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and rot)
• Air fresheners & candles

Simple changes like never smoking indoors and improving the ventilation in the home by performing regular AC inspections and filter replacements can go a long way toward eliminating some of these VOCs.

Use Filtered Drinking Water

Even if you live in an area where it is safe to drink or bathe in tap water, there are still contaminants in the water. For example, unfiltered water can contain lead, chlorine, and even pesticides. Consider installing a good water filter to help eliminate these contaminants from your home.

Avoid Using Chemical Cleaners

Cleaning products often contain chemicals that can negatively impact your health. They fill the air with toxins that can cause problems when inhaled—not to mention they can pollute the water system when they flow down the drain. Instead, opt for organic pesticides, cleaners, and household products. Use natural cleaning solutions like vinegar and baking soda. Avoid using harsh aerosol sprays and use biodegradable detergent.

Stop Using Chemical Pesticides

Do some research to find plants that are natural pest repellents. Start a garden with plants such as citronella, thyme, mint, and lavender. Most of these plants are hardy and will repel insects.

If you have a vegetable garden, use natural repellents like liquid soap mixtures instead of spray-on pesticides. Build up a compost heap with fruit and vegetable peels, and use this compost to fertilize your lawn and plants after a few months.

Maintain Your Heating & Cooling System

Lack of fresh air introduced into your home (either due to inadequate or lack of mechanical ventilation) can cause pollutants to build up. If your system doesn’t have chemical pollutant removal equipment, it may be time to consider upgrading.

Bottom Line

Reducing the chemical toxins inside your home is not a difficult task, but it may take some planning and a bit of extra effort. It’s more about learning new methods to clean and maintain your home.

Staying on top of maintenance and making sure your home is dry, ventilated, humidity-free is a great start. Change out your chemical cleaning products for all-natural ones that can get the same job done just as quickly. Sometimes they can even do a better job than the standard chemicals we have been using.

Schedule routine maintenance for your HVAC system to ensure it’s running properly and keeping your air fresh and safe for you and your family. AirOne Heating and Air Conditioning is proud to offer air quality tests for your home, where our experts can check for areas of concern and offer solutions to help improve your health and comfort. Schedule a consultation with AirOne Heating and Air Conditioning today!