6 Simple Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home this Spring

Spring delivers blooming flowers, warmer days, and longer daylight hours. However, for many people, spring is the prime season for indoor air quality issues. People spend more than 90% of their time indoors, and your indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to aafa.org.  Having good indoor air quality is an essential part of having a healthy living space.  Working to improve indoor air quality is probably at the top of your list come springtime.

Listed below are 6 simple ways to maintain good indoor air quality, not only in spring but also throughout the year.

Spring Clean

Dust, pollen, and mildew can all build up over time, especially when your house is closed-up tight during the winter. Use a microfiber cloth to dust all surfaces, including shelves, cabinets, baseboards, and windowsills. Use a specialized mildew remover to get bathtubs and showers sparkling as well.

Deep Clean Your Floors

Much of the particulate matter that can pollute your air comes into your home on your shoes, so cleaning the floors will eliminate a good deal of harmful allergens. Mop hard floors and thoroughly vacuum carpets and area rugs. A vacuum with a HEPA filter will do the best job.

Add Floor Mats to Each Entrance

Help keep your floors clean by encouraging everyone to wipe their feet before entering. Add an absorbent floor mat to every door to your home and ask guests to remove their shoes to keep out the bad stuff.

Check the Humidity

To keep mold and mildew at bay, your indoor humidity levels should be between 30 and 50 percent. Use an inexpensive humidity meter to check your levels, turn on the A/C to help remove moisture or use a humidifier when it's too dry.

Clean or Replace Your Filters

There are many filters in your home, and they should be thoroughly cleaned -- if possible-- or replaced to make sure they continue to do their job of removing harmful matter. Check the furnace, air conditioners, exhaust fans, humidifiers, and vacuum cleaner to make sure filters are at their best.

Add Houseplants to Your Decor

Houseplants naturally help clean toxins out of the air you breathe, and they look great doing it. Try adding ferns, ivy, or a lily to upgrade your decor and purify your air.