With the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, most of us continue to take shelter in our homes.

As it is encouraged to stay home and indoors as much as possible, many of us spend prolonged hours inside more than ever. That said, we might want to rethink our indoor spaces and how habitable they are. Initially, improving indoor spaces was just for comfort and convenience.

In these rather sensitive times, however, rethinking our indoor spaces should come as a priority. After all, our health and welfare should be paramount concerns—especially with the pandemic situation.

Unfortunately, the air quality of our living spaces is something we often overlook. To many, it is an inconsequential aspect of our interiors that should not warrant our concern.

As we continue to hunker down inside and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, it is imperative to ensure whether the air we are constantly breathing is up to par.

Today, there is so much emphasis put on affordable and sustainable homes. Unfortunately, people often tend to think of the sustainable aspect of homes as only for the environment and not so much for its inhabitants.

To make our time in isolation healthier and better, we need to address the oversight of neglecting indoor air quality. Considering that we spend more time at home and indoors now, this endeavor should be a priority.

Just like all homes, the air inside our own homes can become more polluted than the air outside, thus, indoor air quality must be improved. Below are just some of the ways you can improve your indoor air quality.

Different ways to improve indoor air quality

1) Purchase only quality air filters

Air filters are essential tools for improving indoor air quality. They are used both in residential and business structures. Always purchase quality air filters to ensure that your indoor air will be filtered properly and effectively.

In a similar vein, be sure to change these air filters on a monthly basis—especially if you have family members with allergy issues.

2) Open the windows

One of the most straightforward ways to address bad indoor air quality is to keep your airflow fresh by opening the windows. Not only is it easy, but it is also the cheapest way to improve your indoor air quality as well. Every now and then, open your windows and let the oxygen in while simultaneously releasing the bad air out.

Aside from reducing the humidity that dust mites thrive on, opening the windows is also an excellent way to keep your indoors well-ventilated without having to turn the fan on.

3) Invest in an air purifier

Allergens, dust, and other particles are microscopic, which means that it is impossible to clean something you cannot see. Luckily, there are air purifiers made especially for this purpose. However, be sure to invest in a good and quality one that traps and removes almost 100% of pollutants by drawing in your dirty indoor air, filtering it, and releasing it back into the room much cleaner and fresher.

If your budget allows, choose air purifiers that feature LED displays that flash a particular color when the surrounding air is clean. Similarly, select a model that also releases negative ions into the air to help neutralize bacteria and other airborne viruses.

4) Have your rugs and carpets professionally cleaned

You might not know it, but your carpeting is actually home to a myriad of allergens and pollutants. While you can vacuum it regularly as part of your cleaning routine, it still pays to have it professionally serviced as an extra form of cleaning.

Moreover, professionals have special services for pet treatment and allergens, which can be useful if you have any pets and family members with allergies.

5) Vacuum regularly

Vacuuming should be part of your regular cleaning routine. On that note, you should invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner. While they might be expensive, they are a boon to have, considering they are a powerful force against dust, pollen, and microbes. If left as is, these microbes can quickly build up and irritate your respiratory system, which in the worst case, can lead to breathing problems.

That said, you should vacuum regularly. Be sure to include the areas underneath the furniture, such as sofas and beds as well. Change your beddings weekly and wash them to kill microbes, germs, and dust mites.

Also, it would help if you kept your surfaces clutter-free so as dust would not settle everywhere. Use a damp cloth to wipe them down and trap small particles.

6) Have a smoke-free home

Today, smoking in public places is outlawed to protect non-smokers from chemicals found in second-hand smoke. While designated smoking areas still exist, they are few and rather far in between. That said, you should also keep a smoke-free home, and if you have not kicked the habit just yet, you might consider doing so.

Toxic airborne tobacco particles remain at harmful levels for up to five hours. That said, if you wish to protect yourself and the other inhabitants of your homes, you might want to designate your homes as a smoke-free zone.

Similarly, incense sticks, candles, and anything else you burn emits carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the air. With that in mind, you might want to limit using them. Alternatively, you can use candles made from natural waxes such as beeswax and soy in lieu of paraffin wax candles.

7) Avoid air fresheners

Air fresheners may be useful in masking foul odors, but they are also notorious for releasing a torrent of synthetic chemicals into your homes. In lieu of the fake citrus scent that permeates your indoor air, opt for naturally-fragranced or fragrance-free products. You may even want to go full natural with an organic room diffuser or essential oil burner.

If you wish to neutralize cooking smells, leave a bowl of white vinegar in the kitchen overnight or microwave lemon slices in water. Going all organic is even easier than you thought as you can make your own air freshener.

All you need to do is mix baking soda and lemon juice in hot water. Pour the mixture out into an empty spray bottle, and you can begin eliminating smells from your home and freshen it up.

8) Stock on houseplants

Houseplants are pretty decors that can instantly brighten a room, but they also have air-purifying benefits that have been widely documented. However, if you wish to make a significant impact on your air quality, you will need a lot of plants—probably something close to an indoor jungle.

While it is true that houseplants soak up on pollutants, they do it so slowly that the impact is negligible. With that in mind, you may want to fill your indoors with as many plants as you possibly can. Some of the best plants that improve air quality are Peace Lillies, ferns, Devil’s ivy, and spider plants. These plants remove chemicals and carbon monoxide from the air.

9) Use organic cleaning products

Cleaning our homes should form part of a good thing. However, if we wish to improve our indoor air quality, we also need to take a closer look at what products we are using to clean our homes.

More often than not, our cleaning cupboard contains products that are harmful and toxic to breathe in. What is even worse is that washing them down the sink ends in the pollution of waterways, which is detrimental to wildlife.

Fortunately, you can forego toxic ingredients if you want to give your homes a thorough cleaning. Today, there are plenty of eco-friendly products that work just as well and smell a lot better. To know which products are eco-friendly, look for those that contain food-grade ingredients such as coconut oil. It would also help if you chose fragrance-free products or at least those scented only with aromatherapy oils.

Ensuring that your indoor air quality is pure and breathable requires preventative maintenance and diligence. The list above includes some of the simple steps you can do for yourself if you wish to reduce indoor pollution.

Keep in mind that indoor air quality typically focuses on the air inside our homes, which means that applying the practices above to achieve an optimal effect on indoor air quality is paramount. That said, apply what you have learned to enjoy air that is breathable and clean.

Amaia properties, such as townhouse in Nuvali, are assured to be sustainable. It is a place where you can relax and get a breath of fresh air. If interested in Amaia properties or investment opportunities, do not hesitate to get in touch with us here on our website.