DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, MAY 05, 2016
If your house can't rid itself of indoor pollutants and has trouble "breathing" it may be suffering from "Sick House Syndrome." These sick homes with poor indoor air quality can make the people living inside sick as well.
Read more: Is That Home Healthy?
In a recent article, RISMedia highlights some of the ways to improve the air quality in a home:
1. Control indoor humidity. Try to have less than 50 percent humidity indoors. A higher percentage can trigger the growth of mold. A hygrometer can be purchased to help learn the humidity level in the home. Also, home owners can use an exhaust fan while bathing, cooking, or using the dishwasher to decrease the humidity in the home. A dehumidifier can also help.
2. Clean the home often. To help improve air quality, use natural, nontoxic cleaners; HEPA-filter vacuum; and a mop.
3. Remove wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpeting can trap particles and exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms. It can also potentially contain formaldehyde (pressed wood materials on cabinets and furniture also may too).
4. Add house plants. House plants help filter out airborne toxins, such as benzene and ammonia.Check out this list of NASA-approved species.
5. Remove shoes. When entering a home, remove your shoes and place them on a floor mate near the entrance. This will help avoid any pollutants – such as from dirt and pesticides -- from being tracked into your home that can then become airborne inside the home.
Source: “10 Air Quality Control Tips for Home and Health,” RISMedia (May 4, 2016) and “How Clean Is the Air in Your Home or Office?” RISMedia (Nov. 2, 2015)
