Air quality at home: Why it matters and how to keep it clean

The air you breathe at home looks clean. Or so you think

Asthma attacks and allergic rhinitis. If you’re one of the unfortunate many who suffer from these, you would know how much the air you breathe matters. It’s easy to see when you should be vacuuming for dust, but what about the particles that are not so easy to see?

Did you know that indoor air can get more polluted than outdoor air? Pollutants like paint, alcohol, cigarette smoke, and even perfumes can release harmful chemicals we barely notice. It doesn't seem like it when you take a deep breath now, but it’s harming your lungs in the long run. Don’t risk your family’s health; here’s how you can make the air quality at your home safer.

Proper ventilation

Above (Photo by Eli Sommer/pexels.com)

You’re not the only one who needs to breathe. Your home needs proper ventilation to keep the air fresh while stopping nasty odours, moisture, and dust from building up. Perhaps, you should open the window whenever you can. But what if the world outside isn’t all that friendly? In this case, an air purifier would be your best bet.

“We have a wrong perception of what is clean and safe when we open the window. While open-air ventilation is good, it’s also important to note that these air pollutants are invisible. We only get scared when we show symptoms. Living in the city makes it difficult because there is no proper air change due to the smog outside. So it’s best to have a better air filtration device at home,” says Carolyn Chuaying, managing director of UV Care.

What to look for in an air purifier

Above UV Care Super Air Cleaner (Courtesy of UV Care)

When considering an air purifier, check the filters they use. Not all air purifiers are the same, which you should remember when you are particular about the air you breathe in. Chuaying recommends an air purifier with a HEPA H13 filter at least to block even the smallest particles like viruses, moulds, and pollen. Aside from this, a carbon filter is also critical to your health. These filters trap smoke, odours, and gas to ensure a proper air change.

Pollutants from the kitchen

Above (Photo by Created Stories/pexels.com)

Many air pollutants come from your kitchen. Whether making dinner or heating something in the microwave, food is bound to release odours. Even more so when you burn your food. So before cooking any meal, turn on the range hood above your stove. It will filter out the carbon coming from your pan and prevent any buildup of grease odour on your furniture.

Are plants good to keep at home?

Above (Photo by Wendy Wei/pexels.com)

Keeping plants indoors may seem like a no-brainer to keeping the air quality clean, but the topic’s still up for debate. While plants are aesthetically pleasing to have and filter the air in their immediate area, they can be a vessel for bacterial growth and mould if not maintained right.

What about our pets?

Above (Photo by cottonbro studio/pexels.com)

Pets, while adorable to keep around the house, are one of the many allergy triggers. But before you send your dog out stargazing, there are other ways to stop their excessive shedding. We need to make sure they’re properly groomed. They may hate it, but frequent brushing and bathing prevent their fur from getting into the air.

When changing sheets, the usual routine is to remove and replace them with new ones. But what’s easy to miss are the microscopic dust particles embedded in your mattress. Thoroughly vacuuming your mattress and pillows before dressing them should solve this issue and eliminate dust mites.

Clean your air filters

Above Cleaning the air conditioner filter (Photo by Songsak rohprasit/Gettyimages)

And finally, the most important one. Clean your air filters. Your filters constantly cycle through the air but stop doing their job when they get too full. Not only does it let harmful air into your home, but it could also lead to your air conditioner breaking down. So save yourself the costly repair fees and clean them every two months. Chuaying says the optimal time to clean/change your air filters is every year for the HEPA H13 filter, every two years for the carbon filter, and every three months for the pre-filter.

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