The 5 Critical Components to Improving Air Quality in Your Home

You only get one set of lungs. You should do everything you can to protect them, and the best defense always starts in the home.

It’s true that there is little you can do about the overall atmospheric conditions of your town or city. But when it comes to your respiratory health, the goal should always be to keep the particulates present in your house to a minimum.

At least then you can know that you will sleep better, breathe easier, and safeguard your family as much as possible. The following rundown highlights the reasons that you need to prioritize the air quality in your home along with how to go about improving the air you breathe.

1. Health

It goes without saying that air quality is related to health. While there are local and regional issues beyond your control (rural Wyoming and Los Angeles cannot be compared, for example), every parent should put some effort into improving their in-home air quality. This is especially important in homes where young children or seniors are living. They are the most susceptible to even small issues, so be especially watchful if they are in your house.

2. Allergies

In addition to a general desire to breath the cleanest and freshest air possible, you should always be cognizant of allergies that those living with you — or guests — may have. This means that more vigilance should be paid to air quality if you have a pet whose dander could be an issue for the in-laws staying for the weekend in the guest room, friends stopping by for dinner, or schoolmates of your children over on a playdate. Pay special attention to bathrooms and basements to make sure no mold spores have started to accumulate on a damp wall or floorboard.

3. Cleanliness

This should go without saying, but the easiest way to keep air quality high and avoid allergic reactions is by regular cleaning. Don’t let dust accumulate, be sure to vacuum up particles that fall out of sight into the carpet, run a Dustbuster into all the nooks and crannies, and use bacteria-eliminating cleaning products in the kitchen and bathroom. Even beyond the ability to rid the household of particulates, it will help to replace the smell of stagnation with pine, lavender, or other odors that please the senses.

4. Filtration

Beyond cleaning up often, most homes will benefit greatly from some sort of air filtration. Amway is one of the global leaders in air filtration solutions, which can greatly reduce the parts per million (PPM) of various airborne irritants. From pollen and dander to mold spores and dust mites, different types of filters can block out different types of particulates. Figure out which are the biggest culprits for you and find a product that will filter them out. Or, to be on the safest side, just get the top-of-the-line offerings that offer the best in-home protection available — and be sure to replace the filters regularly in line with manufacturers specifications.

5. Testing

While most reputable filters should do a good job in lowering the PPM of unwanted particles, the next step is to test the air quality in your home. High-end options can give you accurate readings essentially around the clock, while you can also conduct periodic radon or other tests to ensure no issues arise.

It goes without saying that you should always have functional carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home, and if you begin to experience any respiratory problems, you should consult a professional who can do a more rigorous test for all types of irritants or hard-to-detect gases.

Breathe Easy

You should never take your health for granted. Yes, if you begin to feel lethargic and tired more often than normal, it’s probably just because it has been a tough month at work or your eating habits have been subpar.

But at the same time, don’t discount the factor that air quality can play in your well being. At the very least, you should test the air quality in your home regularly and keep things clean. This comes in addition to cleaning up regularly and installing some sort of air filtration system.

If you just keep an eye on all these basics, you will be able to rest assured that you and your family are not being negatively affected by poor air quality. This way, every breath you take will be of the best quality possible.