Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, your home was your safe space. It was a place where everything was clean and you didn’t have to worry about viruses and ozone gases. However, you might still find dirt in your home, even under normal conditions. Fortunately, there are resources to keep your family safe and clean. Here are the best ways to keep airborne threats outside.
Air Filters
Many homeowners open their windows whenever they can to let in the fresh air. Outdoor air can improve airflow, but it can also hurt your air quality. Pollution from the outside can float in, along with large particles of pollen, dirt, and dust. Even if you keep your windows closed, these irritants can float into your home. As a result, your family is left to breathe in pet dander and other microns that trigger allergies.
You can still enjoy the outdoors while keeping your indoor air clean. Look into an air filter that can pick out airborne particles that float through your home. A true HEPA air purifier can catch fine particles and viruses that normal filters would otherwise miss. Keep allergens and asthma triggers out of your interior spaces. Find the right filter to clean your air.
Moisture-Removing Solutions
One of the first things you learn as a homeowner is that water is your enemy. Water can warp your floors and rot your walls if it seeps in through the roof or windows. However, water isn’t just a threat during the rainy season. It can harm your home and your family throughout the year in the form of humidity.
Humidity refers to moisture in the air. It contributes to your air quality because it can carry pollution and ozone into your home. Moist areas are breeding grounds for mold and mildew, which can worsen asthma symptoms and create an unpleasant musty odor.
If you have high moisture levels in your area, or if you notice unwanted odors in parts of your home, consider investing in damp proofing to keep your house comfortable, safe, and dry.
A Mudroom Area
If you have kids or pets, then you know how quickly dirt can travel through your home. Your family runs in from the outside and seemingly coats the entire household in dirt and dust. This process gets even worse during the high-pollen months when you are desperate to keep your indoor air cleaner than the stuffy outdoors.
You can take steps to keep your air clean by setting up a makeshift mudroom by your most-used entrance. Make sure there is a place for people to place their shoes and coats, so your family can immediately switch to indoor clothes. In some seasons, you might want your family to immediately change at the mudroom entrance to prevent dirt from tracking through. Consider placing a hamper by the door and a shelf for fresh clothes if this is the case.
A Chore Wheel
The best way to keep dirt and irritants out of your home is with the help of your whole family. The cat’s litter box won’t smell if it is scooped every day. Your floors won’t feel grimy if they are frequently swept. However, one person alone can’t keep your house clean—it needs to be a team effort.
Look into setting up a chore wheel or chart to help your kids learn how to do basic tasks. There are multiple online guides to learn what chores are age-appropriate. This way as your kids get older, they can take on more responsibility.
When your whole family gets involved, your home can stay clean.
Just because the outside is full of pollen and pollution doesn’t mean you need to invite these allergy triggers and odors into your home. Use these resources to breathe easier and keep unwanted irritants outdoors.