Maintaining good indoor air quality requires reducing the amount of pollutants in your home as much as possible. Fewer sources of pollutants naturally mean fewer sources of fumes, particulates and other materials that can make indoor air unpleasant or even harmful to your health. Here are some important do’s and don’ts for controlling household pollutants:
Do
- Clean your home frequently: Regular cleanings will reduce the amount of particulates in your ho
me. Dust shelves, vacuum carpets and rugs, clean furniture and scrub your kitchen and bathroom regularly — at least weekly, if possible. - Increase indoor ventilation: Ventilation helps remove pollutants, as well as odors and particulates. When weather permits, open windows and doors to allow a breeze into your home. You can also run kitchen and bathroom fans to remove moisture and odors, and consider installing a whole-house ventilator to circulate clear, fresh air into your home.
- Practice source control: Remove pollutants at their source. Reconsider your use of strong household chemicals and stop using strong-smelling products. Also, take out the trash regularly, and don’t allow smoking inside your home.
Don’t
- Allow conditions favorable to mold and mildew growth: Mold and mildew are significant sources of indoor pollution, and they can grow quickly in warm, moist environments. Reduce the amount of moisture in your home by cleaning up spills and wiping down surfaces in your bathroom after bathing.
- Store pollutant-causing materials improperly: Make sure any pesticides, paints, varnishes, solvents, cleaners and other polluting materials are stored in tightly sealed containers. Do not store these items near air return vents or where they could affect your immediate surroundings.
- Dispose of chemicals, pesticides and other pollutants improperly: Don’t pour any leftover household chemicals, oil, fuel, or related material on the ground or down drains or toilets. Instead, take these materials to a recycling or hazardous waste collection center for proper disposal.
Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning can provide expert HVAC and indoor air quality services to customers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Contact us today for more information on controlling household pollutants.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about pollutants and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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