When most people think of air pollution, they tend to focus on smog and other outdoor sources. However, the fact is that the amount of indoor air pollution in the average home is usually far greater than outdoor air pollution. Pets, dust mites, smoking, pollen and pests are all major sources of indoor air pollution, which have the potential to wreak havoc on your health and respiratory system. Elderly people and those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments are especially susceptible to indoor air pollution, but even those who are otherwise healthy can still suffer. For this reason, we’ll now present you a few simple tips you can use to help lower indoor air pollution and ensure that your home has a pleasant, healthy environment.

Keep It Clean

Cleaning is one of the easiest ways to reduce indoor air pollution. Vacuuming your floors with a HEPA-filter vacuum is a great way to suck up dust, pet dander, pollen and most other indoor pollutants. Generally speaking, you should be vacuuming your floors at least twice a week. As well, you should also thoroughly mop your floors at least once a week to pick up any dust and allergens left behind by the vacuum. Placing door mats outside each entrance should also help to reduce indoor air pollution, as the mats will capture most pollutants and ensure they don’t get tracked through the home. Finally, you should also be washing your bedding on the highest temperature at least once a week to help eliminate dust mites.

Go Natural

While cleaning is definitely important for reducing air pollution, the problem is that many chemical cleaning products can actually make the problem worse. Synthetic fragrances, air fresheners and chemical detergents and cleaning products all tend to release chemical gasses into the air, which can wreak havoc on those with respiratory problems or anyone with a more sensitive system. Therefore, it is always best to use natural products and to avoid anything with synthetic fragrances or perfumes whenever possible.

Maintain a Healthy Humidity Level

Dust mites, mold and other allergens tend to thrive in moist conditions, which is precisely why you should monitor your home’s humidity level. Keeping the humidity in your home between 30 to 50 percent is a great way to reduce allergens and thus improve indoor air quality. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a dehumidifier to lower the humidity content, but simply running your air conditioner can also reduce the level of moisture in the air and thus help to reduce many common allergens and pollutants.

Focus on Your HVAC System

Your home’s air conditioner can hold the key to improving indoor air quality. A high-quality A/C unit will help to filter out most pollen and other allergens, while also reducing the humidity content in the air. Bringing fresh air into the home is a simple way to improve indoor air quality, and this is precisely where your air conditioner can be a huge help. Companies like ActronAir produce a wide range of air conditioners designed specifically for the harsh Australian climate, and using one of these A/C units can help to limit indoor air pollution while also ensuring a cool, pleasant indoor environment. Of course, it is essential that you make sure your HVAC system is well-maintained and that you change out the air filters regularly to ensure that you gain the full benefits.

At the end of the day, there are a wide number of things that you can do to improve indoor air quality. Even if you don’t suffer from poor health or respiratory problems, reducing indoor air pollution can still help to ensure your home is more pleasant to be in. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you follow these basic steps to ensure that indoor air pollution doesn’t become a huge problem for you and your family.