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5 things that can affect air quality in your home

5 things that can affect air quality in your home

When you think of air pollution, you probably think of exhaust fumes and other dirty skies outdoors. But did you know that there are also a number of factors that can cause air pollution indoors? Of course you don't want that in your house! Fortunately, there are a number of smart ways to prevent or reduce these pollutants so that you can benefit from clean air indoors. Are you reading along?

Read also :'With these 6 tips, your house will appear tidier than it is'

1. Cooking

Every time we make a wok meal or toast bread, the air quality in the house decreases. In fact, according to a study by the University of Texas, simple things like burning your toasted sandwich can expose you to more toxic particles than standing in the middle of an intersection – wow!

What can you do about it?
Don't forget to turn on the extractor hood when you're cooking! Don't have an extractor hood? Then definitely open a window when you start cooking to prevent the 'dirty' air from hanging around in the house.

2. Candles

It can of course be wonderfully relaxing and cozy to burn a candle here and there in the house. However, those fine candles also appear to have an effect on the air quality in the house. A study by the University of Copenhagen found that the air particles from burning candles are just as harmful to mice as diesel exhaust fumes. That won't be very good for our health either...

What can you do about it?
Limit exposure to these airborne particles by burning fewer candles and shorter burning times. Do you mainly do it for the cozy glow of the candle flames? Then choose to put a cord with lights in a bowl or glass jar:just as cozy and non-polluting!

3. Fabric

Haven't gotten around to dusting in a while? Dust is one of the most common indoor allergens, so if you don't dust your home and vacuum your floors, carpets and blankets, it can lead to poorer air quality in your home.

What can you do about it?
Get into the habit of dusting in his weekly. Don't worry, it doesn't have to take as much time as you think. Start by dusting surfaces such as countertops and tables, then vacuum the floor or carpet around it. This way you can make your house much more dust-free!

4. Paints

Yes, this one is of course also part of it:painting. You can already smell it in the air, paint is full of chemicals. Certainly the paint you use for furniture or walls is full of volatile organic compounds that are released into the air in your home. After a while, the chemicals will dissolve, but the airborne particles can linger in the air for up to months later.

What can you do about it?
Look for paints with a low VOC content Most major paint brands today offer at least one eco-friendly paint line.

5. Cleaning

Not only paint creates toxic air particles, cleaning agents also contain a lot of volatile organic compounds. Think, for example, of bleaching agents, air fresheners (yes, we know) and upholstery cleaners.

What can you do about it?
Try to switch to natural, chemical-free cleaning products whenever possible. A good alternative to an air freshener? A mix of lemon juice and water. Smells wonderfully fresh and does not pollute the air in the house!

Source: Realsimple.com