How To Improve Air Quality In Your Home

What is your home's air quality? Ever wonder why some members of your family have allergies, asthma, and headaches? If the air quality of your home is poor this may very well be the problem.  Indoor air quality can be the cause of allergies, asthma, and/or headaches. Pollutants and allergens are found throughout the home in mattresses, furniture, carpeting, paints, adhesives and furnace air filters to name a few. Many homes are designed to save energy, but reduce ventilation. When ventilation goes down, indoor air pollution can go up. What causes  indoor air pollution?

• Dust
• Mold
• Pet Hair/Dander
• Residue from dust mites and other creepy crawlers (Yucky)

What can you do to improve your home's air quality? Here are eight tips to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in your home.

1. Regularly clean plush furnishings. Vacuum upholstered chairs, sofas and carpets and wash bedding often. This cuts dust mite allergens that can cause health problems when they become airborne.

2. Control moisture levels with a dehumidifier, air conditioner, or heat pump. Dust mites require over

50 % relative humidity.

3. Keep interior surfaces dry. Fix leaks promptly. Mold grows on moist surfaces.

4. Open windows to increase air flow when possible. If you are sensitive to outside dust, pollen or molds, consider using an air-to-air heat exchanger with an air cleaner on your home heating and cooling system.

5. Dust furnishings with treated cloths.

6. Change furnace air filters often. Use fine filters that trap microscopic dust.

7. Vacuum regularly. Use an upright, model with a brush roller or a tank model with a power brush attachment. Concentrate near often-used furniture. Make sure bag is clean and in good condition to keep airborne pollutants to a minimum. Note: Vacuums with special filters are available. See our article on vacuum cleaners and which ones we recommend.

8. Have Your your carpets cleaned regularly with Host® carpet cleaning system. Our Host® Dry Carpet Cleaning System is healthy for your home! Cleaning your carpets regularly with Host® can improve the indoor air quality in your home. Research studies have shown that one cleaning with the Host® System using Host® Machines removes:

•  Dust mites by 78%
•  Dust mite allergen by 75%
•  Cat allergen by 85%
•  Mold spores by 85% Host® is a low moisture system...drier is better for IAQ. In use, Host® releases barely measurable levels of VOCs* and dust. Host® is environmentally friendly, soft, natural and biodegradable.

Do what we recommend and your home's air quality will improve dramatically.

*Volatile Organic Compound - an organic chemical that gives off an odor.

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