Easy Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
We're spending a lot more time inside our homes these days. It follows that we're breathing in lots more indoor air - including the many toxins present.
Now is the perfect time to think about the quality of your indoor air and what you can do to improve it.
Indoor Air Quality
Air quality can affect our health in many ways, positively or negatively. And now more than ever, the quality of our indoor air is critical for maintaining good health. There are many categories of toxins, the full scope of which is beyond this article. Here we will address just one category: volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from many products while in use, but also often passively.
The EPA has stated that concentrations of many VOCs are up to ten times higher indoors than outdoors. This is due to the overwhelming presence of thousands of VOCs in household products.
Interestingly, out of over 400 compounds in the VOC family that have been identified in the home, over 200 can be found in carpeting alone.
Symptoms from Exposure
Common short-term symptoms may include:
headache
fatigue
dryness
coughing
sneezing
More serious long-term symptoms may include:
Dizziness
Allergic reaction
Difficulty breathing
Mold reaction
Respiratory disease
Cancer
Clean Air at Home
There are things you can do to improve the air quality in your home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Identify and eliminate the source.
Get plenty of natural ventilation - open some windows!
Keep areas as dry as possible.
Be sure the dryer vent has a clear path to the outside.
Clean the dryer filter after every load.
Leave the washing machine door open to allow moisture to evaporate.
Place plants throughout your home. If you have small children or pets, be sure they’re out of reach.
Use activated charcoal bags in your laundry room and throughout your home to absorb moisture, bacteria, viruses, and other toxins.
Those last two suggestions deserve further attention.
Indoor Plants
A 1989 study by NASA revealed the toxin-filtering properties of houseplants and activated carbon. They recommend using a variety of at least 15 plants in a typical home. These are some plants that have been noted for their air purification properties:
Peace Lily
Golden Pathos
Sansevieria
English ivy
Janet Craig
Parlor Palm
Weeping Fig
Bamboo Palm
Gerbera Daisy
Note that some of these plants are poisonous, so use caution if you have small children or pets.
Activated Charcoal
According to the NASA study, it was the combination of houseplants and activated charcoal that had the greatest effect. Activated charcoal is well known to have toxin-absorbing properties, so using them with houseplants is a truly dynamic duo!
Of course, you want the highest quality activated charcoal. At Odor Crush, we make products for the laundry room that are of the purest quality, because we make them with you in mind. Odor Crush Air Purifier Bags are made with activated bamboo charcoal, the most effective, safe, and renewable source of activated charcoal available.
Simply place our Air Purifier Bags throughout your home along with toxin-filtering houseplants and watch the smells, bacteria, and mold disappear.
Of course, you want the highest quality activated charcoal. At Odor Crush, we make products for the laundry room that are of the purest quality, because we make them with you in mind. Odor Crush Air Purifier Bags are made with activated bamboo charcoal, the most effective, safe, and renewable source of activated charcoal available.
Simply place our Air Purifier Bags throughout your home along with toxin-filtering houseplants and watch the smells, bacteria, and mold disappear.