Did you know that indoor pollutant levels can rise up to 100 times higher than outdoor levels? Between work, school, and home, we spend up to 90% of our lives indoors, and yet, many people still believe that we cannot control indoor air quality. Here are 5 steps you can take now to help you breathe easier.
- Eliminate or minimize the use of harsh cleaners, solvent-based cleaners, or cleaners with strong fragrances. Many of us associate a lemony or piney scent with a clean kitchen, but those synthetic fragrances emit tons of chemicals into the air! And the best part... you will not find their names on the product labels! The only word you will see is “fragrance.” Next time you clean, use your Speck to track the number of particles that are released into the air when you spray that pine-scented cleaner, then compare those numbers to an all-natural cleaner.
- Protect the floors of your entryways by placing a large doormat in front of every entry point. The best kind of dirt is the kind that doesn’t enter your house! Shoes carry all kinds of dust, dirt, and pesticides, and you can keep most of it outside with a large doormat. Be sure that your guests wipe both feet on the outdoor mat before entering. For maintenance, give your doormat a good cleaning once per week.
- Carpet, and pillows, and bedsheets - oh my! Carpets can trap pollutants like dust mites, pet dander, dirt, and fine particle pollution. Frequent vacuuming and deep cleaning of your carpet can help limit and remove contaminates. Be sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter that will remove allergens instead of kicking them back into your air. Wash pillows, sheets, and comforters weekly to reduce indoor allergens when you sleep.
- Dog days are over. Pet allergens are lightweight and small, and can stay suspended in the air for long periods of time. They can also easily get stuck to furniture, bedding, or other fabrics. Bathe or groom your pets regularly, and keep them out of bedrooms if possible.
- Nature’s lungs! All indoors plants are able to purify indoor air through their normal photosynthesis processes. And an added bonus - they are easy to care for, and nice to look at!
For more information or to purchase a Speck, visit www.specksensor.com.
