Wintertime can often bring about a decrease in air quality from dust, lack of ventilation and allergens. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a variety of health issues, from dry skin to respiratory problems. When you are wondering how to improve indoor air quality in the winter, there are several options to consider.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to improve your indoor air quality this winter and create a healthier, more comfortable living environment. From using air purifiers to regularly cleaning your house, there are a variety of tips, tricks, and solutions available to help you improve the air quality in your home. Read on to learn more about how to improve your indoor air quality in the winter and create a healthier, more comfortable living environment.
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
The air we breathe inside our homes can have a significant impact on our health and well-being. A recent study found that indoor air pollution can be two to five times worse than outside air pollution in terms of its health effects.
Air inside your home can also be worse in terms of health effects. This is because we spend a significant portion of our time indoors with less ventilation. Unfortunately, this can make it hard to improve indoor air quality in the winter. Therefore, it’s important to understand how to identify and improve indoor air quality
Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality
There are a few different causes of poor indoor air quality, and it’s important to be aware of them in order to try and avoid them.
Causes of poor indoor air quality include:
Dust and Dust Mites
Dust is made up of a variety of particles including pollen, dust mites and their feces, animal dander, bacteria, fungi, and other allergens. When we breathe in these particles, our bodies can become inflamed, leading to a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms of dust exposure include:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Skin irritation
- Fatigue
- Headaches
Exposure to dust can worsen existing conditions such as asthma and allergies. Dust particles can irritate the airways, triggering asthma attacks. Furthermore, dust can also aggravate allergies by increasing the body’s production of histamine. This is a chemical that causes inflammation and irritation.
Did you know that dust can also have long term health effects? Studies show that prolonged exposure to dust can increase the risk of developing lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Mold
Are you looking for ways on how to improve your indoor air quality in the winter? One major consideration is mold. If you run a humidifier or have poor ventilation in wet areas, there’s a risk of mold growing in your home.
Mold can have a significant impact on indoor air quality and is a common cause of health problems. It can also damage surfaces and furniture, and produce a musty smell. To improve indoor air quality, it is important to address any sources of mold and to keep indoor humidity levels low.
Good indoor air quality is essential for the health and well-being of the occupants of a home. It is important to take steps to address any sources of mold in order to keep indoor air quality at an acceptable level.
Poor Ventilation
Poor ventilation can have a significant impact on indoor air quality. In the winter, you typically leave the windows closed. The bad news is that this can significantly reduce ventilation inside the home.
The truth is that poor indoor air quality is associated with a variety of health problems, including allergies, respiratory illnesses, and even cancer. When there is inadequate ventilation, the air inside a building can become stagnant and filled with pollutants. These pollutants can include dust, mold spores, pet dander, and chemicals from cleaning products, building materials, and furniture. Poor ventilation can trap these pollutants in the air, which can lead to poor indoor air quality.
Pets and Dander
Pet dander is a major contributor to indoor air pollution. It consists of tiny flecks of skin, fur, and saliva that are shed from cats, dogs, rodents, birds, and other animals. Dander is very lightweight and can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time. This makes it a significant source of indoor air pollution.
When people are exposed to pet dander, their bodies may produce an allergic reaction. Common symptoms of pet dander allergies include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. These symptoms can be more severe in people who already have asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Dander can also contain other allergens, such as dust mite droppings, pollen, and mold spores. These allergens can cause inflammation in the airways, leading to wheezing and difficulty breathing. In some cases, pet dander can even trigger an asthma attack.
Chemicals from Household Cleaning Products
During the winter, you might find yourself cleaning more than normal to prevent the spread of colds, flu, and even Covid-19. But chemicals from household cleaners can impact your indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality is an important factor to consider in any home. Unfortunately, the use of household cleaners can have a negative effect on indoor air quality. Household cleaners often contain harsh chemicals and toxins that can contribute to air pollution and can cause a range of adverse health effects. These chemicals can be released into the air when cleaners are used, leading to higher levels of indoor air pollution.
In addition to the release of air pollutants, household cleaners can also affect indoor air quality by contributing to humidity levels. When a cleaning product is used, the moisture in the air can increase, leading to higher levels of humidity in the home. This can make the air feel stuffy, and can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew.
Toxic chemicals from household cleaners can also affect indoor air quality by combining with other air pollutants. When household cleaners and other air pollutants mix, they can form hazardous compounds called secondary pollutants. These can be even more hazardous to human health than the original pollutants. These secondary pollutants can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and can lead to breathing problems and other respiratory illnesses.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in the Winter: Tips & Ideas
There are a variety of ways to improve your indoor air quality, and the best way to do so is to start by identifying what is causing poor air quality in the first place. Once you’ve identified the causes of poor air quality, there are a few solutions that may help to improve the situation.
Here are a few ways to improve indoor air quality:
Use Air Purifiers
Air purifiers can help to remove dust, allergens, and other pollutants from the air. This can help to improve indoor air quality and reduce the symptoms of respiratory problems from dust and more.
Turn on Humidifiers During the Winter
If your indoor air is dry, it can exacerbate certain health issues, like skin conditions and allergies. Low humidity can even help viruses spread more easily. For best results, be sure to keep your home between 30% and 60% humidity.
Keep Your Home Free from Dust & Allergens
Regularly cleaning your home can not only help to remove dust, allergens, and other pollutants, but it can prevent them from building up in the first place. Stay on a routine schedule when it comes to cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming.
Clean Your Ducts
Along with cleaning your home, it’s a good idea to regularly clean your ducts to help remove dust, allergens, and other pollutants from the air. HydraClean Northwest can help!
Replace Your Air Filter
Old or damaged filters can affect your indoor air quality by creating an environment where pollutants can thrive. Replacing your filters with new ones can help to improve your indoor air quality.
How to Maintain Clean Indoor Air Quality
Once you achieve good indoor air quality, you’ll need to maintain this level. But how do you maintain good indoor air quality?
Select a Balanced Venting System
The air exchange rate of a venting system is important because it determines how much indoor air is exchanged with outdoor air. A balanced system is best because it will provide ventilation for your indoor air as well as CO2 for your plants.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Harsh chemicals are bad for indoor air quality. Overall, using eco friendly cleaning products is essential for improving indoor air quality. Eco friendly cleaning products are free of harsh chemicals and VOCs, helping to reduce exposure to these dangerous compounds. In addition, these products are less abrasive and don’t release as many dust particles into the air. When it comes to improving indoor air quality, eco friendly cleaning products are the way to go.
Note: HydraClean Northwest is very selective of our carpet cleaning products, using eco-friendly products to help with indoor air quality.
Improve Indoor Air Quality in the Winter with HydraClean Northwest
Do you need to learn how to improve indoor air quality in the winter? From using air purifiers to regularly cleaning your house, there are a variety of tips, tricks, and solutions available to help you improve the air quality in your home and make winter a bit more bearable.
Keep in mind that HydraClean Northwest can clean your ducts to reduce the circulation of allergens in the home. In addition to our eco-friendly carpet cleaning solutions, we’re here to improve your indoor air quality through every season. Contact us today to learn more.