When we hear air pollution, we think about the billowing industrial smokestacks emitting thick, dark clouds of smoke. Unfortunately, we rarely think about air pollution in our houses. But the truth is that indoor air pollution is just as dangerous as outdoor pollution.

Many pollutants can lower the air quality in your house, including gas leaks, outdoor pollutants brought in by people and pets, asbestos, and lead from old indoor fittings, mold, and mildew. So, it is always important to keep the air in your home clean. In this article, we discuss the three main ways to improve your indoor air quality.

Control Humidity in Your House

Too much humidity and moisture in the air makes your house the breeding ground for mold and mildew. These are dangerous fungi that can lead to serious respiratory problems like asthma and allergies. Humidity levels in the house usually increase in the blistering summer months, depending on where you live. But you can remove moisture from the air by installing a dehumidifier in your house.

Luckily, there are different types of dehumidifiers that you can use. But you need to make sure that the dehumidifier you purchase is capable of maintaining steady humidity levels in your house. And suppose you have installed other important home appliances such as air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, and dryers. In that case, you need to check and maintain their filters periodically to improve your indoor air quality. It is advisable to clean or replace your filters monthly.

Clean Your Carpets and Rugs

On top of giving you comfort, carpets and rugs also act as air filters. Their fibers trap dust and other pollutants from the air. Therefore, if you do not clean your rugs and carpets regularly, the pollutants trapped in their fibers will make your indoor air feel and smell stuffy. If possible, you should clean all your rugs and carpets every week.

Use Cooking Outlets

You may not notice it, but your gas stove releases harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and many others. Even electric cookers release the same contaminants, but at lower levels. When you inhale these gases and other small particles, they can easily find their way into your bloodstream, causing serious complications. To avoid this type of air pollution, you should always turn your cooking vents on when cooking and open kitchen windows to let fresh air in.