Indoor Air Quality Considerations in London
Homes in London were once subjected to bad air pollution every time they opened their doors or windows. That has since been corrected, but there is more you can do to improve your indoor air quality – making an even greater impact on your everyday life. You may not be able to go outside and convert every car into a Nissan Leaf, but you can certainly control your indoor environment. Here are the easiest way to do it.
Use better filters to improve the air inside your home
The allergens and chemicals that can build up in your home are largely carried by dust. If you choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter on it, you can reduce harmful chemicals and allergens such as:
- lead
- brominated fire retardants
- pet dander
- pollen
- dust mites
A vacuum which does not have a proper HEPA filter on it will be exhausting these harmful things right back out into your home – all that hard work for nothing! When using your HEPA equipped vacuum, go over high traffic carpets several times to be sure that everything is sucked up, get your walls and furniture done as well, as a surprising amount if these chemicals and allergens can accumulate there. For best results, vacuum two to three times per week and wash your filter on a regular basis.
Get your mop out
Your mop is capable of picking up the dust and allergens that the vacuum can’t. Don’t bother with the fancy chemicals and other cleaners – plain water and elbow grease will work just fine! For that extra bit of industry, use a new microfiber cloth. They are capable of capturing more dust and dirt than a traditional fiber mop and do not need any sort of cleaning solutions.
Keep dirt from entering at all
A large floor mat at each door can prevent dirt and dust from being brought in. Not only will it reduce dirt, but it will also reduce the amount of pesticides and other chemicals that may be coming in on people’s shoes. People rarely think about where they are stepping and what may be on their shoes. Preventing harmful chemicals from coming any further into your home at all is a good example of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of effort later on!
Make your home smoke free
Keeping people from smoking in your home may be the single best move you make when it comes to making your home easier to breathe in. There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke – and you don’t want to breathe in any of them.
Test for radon
Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that can be found in old and new homes. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the USA right now, and the numbers are likely not much better here in Canada. The only way to know if you have it in your home is by having a professional come in to test for it.
Have a healthy home
You should have a home which is healthy and clean to relax in. The steps outlined above are the simplest ways to be sure that you have a home with high quality air in it. For more information, please contact us today – our London air quality specialists will be happy to help!