5 ways that really work to improve indoor air quality

1. Choose natural fragrances

Air fresheners have a pleasant smell, but the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they contain can provoke allergic reaction. If you still need to use such products, then it is better to do it in a room with a good ventilation system.

An alternative may be products with a more natural composition. For example, aroma lamps with essential oils, diffusers, baseless incense. You can also use sachets with cinnamon, vanilla, cloves or lavender. If you love the scent of flowers, try leaving bouquets in your living room or kitchen. Roses, peonies, lilies and mimosa smell especially bright.

2. Wet clean regularly

Cleaning will help get rid of not only dirt, but also microorganisms - bacteria, viruses and dust mites. Try to choose more environmentally friendly products without VOCs, as well as phthalates, formaldehydes, ammonia, petroleum solvents, chlorine, ionic surfactants. These substances can be found in disinfectants, dishwashing gels, glass and floor liquids. For example, phthalates

can harm endocrine system, and formaldehyde increase the risk of developing cancer. When choosing household chemicals, pay attention not to the instructions "eco" or "bio" on the label, but to the corresponding international markings. If they are not, then it is likely that the tool may be unsafe.

Wet cleaning should be done at least once a week. Use quality detergents. They will help get rid of bacteria like salmonella, staphylococcus, E. coli, yeast, mold spores. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the refrigerator, bathroom, sinks. It is in these places that unpleasant odors appear.

When cleaning, do not forget about precautions - use protective gloves and do not mix different disinfectants. Their components can enter into an unpredictable reaction. Remember to also ventilate the rooms to get rid of the smell of cleaning compounds.

3. Dust the rooms

Even if you clean your apartment every week, your robot vacuum cleaner works without days off and holidays, and the bathroom is shiny with cleanliness, this does not mean that your house does not have dust. And in it they can contain life-threatening elements like arsenic, manganese or lead.

The amount of dust in your home can be reduced with simple measures. If possible, do not clutter up the apartment with carpets and textiles, and avoid open surfaces with books and souvenirs. But dust can accumulate not only on the usual shelves and tables, but also on the walls and ceiling. So in addition to the usual cleaning, it is also desirable to carry out dedusting of the room. To clean the walls, use a mop or vacuum cleaner with an aquafilter, setting the lowest power mode. A slightly more expensive, but effective option is ordering cleaning. Such anti-dust cleaning should be done at least once a year.

4. Turn on the hood when cooking

During cooking, the level of air pollution exceeds acceptable scores. Due to the heating of appliances in the kitchen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde are emitted into the atmosphere. These substances may cause lung disease, and Problems with heart.

To minimize the amount of harmful emissions during cooking, try not only to turn on the hood, but also use oils with a high smoke point. This indicator indicates the maximum temperature at which fat begins to burn in a pan. And along with the smoke in the air stand out aldehydes, which may increase the risk of developing cancer. Safe oils include refined sunflower, olive, peanut, and coconut oils. They can be heated to a temperature of 190-200 degrees without the risk of harming the air quality in the kitchen.

5. Buy special devices

For example, a sink or a humidifier. They will help you feel better and also take care of your pets and wooden furniture. For example, due to dry air on clothes and furniture, accumulates static electricity, parquet and doors begin to creak, and leather peels off.

Too humid air can lead to mold, and mold irritation eyes and skin, runny nose, exacerbation of problems with the lungs. Therefore, the humidification process must be approached competently and use professional devices. Washing, for example, will not only gently moisturize, but also clean the air of dust and animal hair.

When choosing a device, pay attention to the area and purpose of the room. For a bedroom or nursery, an air washer designed for office space is not suitable. Conversely, a low-power device is unlikely to be able to humidify a spacious living room. And it is also important that the air washer for living rooms is as silent as possible.