Breathing polluted air can cause a number of health problems, but what many people don’t realize is that the air within your River Oaks, Texas, home or office building can actually be more polluted than what you breathe outside. Smog often gets the blame for poor air quality, though indoor contaminants can cause just as many, if not more, problems for those who have allergies, asthma, COPD, and other health conditions. Combat poor indoor air quality and stay healthier with these simple tips.

Figure Out What Causes Poor Air Quality

When you’re trying to improve the air quality in your home or office building, the first step is to determine what’s causing the problem. If you use cleaning or hygiene products that give off volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), such as hairspray, air fresheners, or other items in aerosol canisters, these could contribute to lower air quality. Opt for natural cleaning products and air fresheners to cut down on VOCs. You can use lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, and water to clean the kitchen and bathrooms.

Keeping the windows and doors open throughout the changing seasons can also cause pollen and other allergens to come inside, and having pets in your home will increase the amount of hair and dander.

Keep It Clean

The next step to improve the indoor air quality is to create and stick to a stricter cleaning schedule. It’s easy to let deep cleaning tasks fall by the wayside, especially when you get busy with work, school, and family commitments. But if you don’t have time for much else, at least make sure you vacuum and mop the floors once or twice a week. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap small toxins and allergens, along with rotating brushes and strong suction, to keep everything trapped in the container.

If you have hard floors, make sure to mop regularly to pick up the tiny dust particles that vacuuming might leave behind. Place a large floor mat at each entrance to the building to help trap dirt and other pollutants that people might otherwise track in on their shoes.

Check the Humidity

If you notice condensation forming on your windows or the air feels heavy and moist, you may need to take steps to lower the humidity level. Too much moisture can lead to mold growth and dust mites, both of which can decrease the quality of the air. Adding a dehumidifier or running your air conditioner more often should help with that problem. Lowering humidity too much can cause other problems, so keep it at a healthy level between 30 and 50 percent.

Clean the Ducts

The task of air duct cleaning is best left to a professional, but it’s one that can make a major impact on the indoor air quality at your home or office. Over time, dust, dirt, pollen, pet hair, dander, and other contaminants make their way into the HVAC system. As you run the heater or air conditioner, those particles move around and recirculate, causing allergy symptoms and breathing problems. With a professional duct cleaning service, your technician will use strong suction to remove all contaminants, then use a sanitizing spray in the HVAC system to reduce mold growth and other bacteria.

Get Rid of the Smoke

If you or anyone in your home is a smoker, make sure to keep the cigarettes far away from the house. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals that can decrease the quality of indoor air. Secondhand smoke can also increase health risks in children, so it’s well worth it to keep the cigarettes away from them too. Smoke plays a major role in poor indoor air quality, so if you can’t quit smoking, stay at least 25 feet from the nearest window or door when you light up.

Improve the quality of the air you breathe by changing the way you clean and maintain your home or office building. To schedule an indoor air quality assessment or duct cleaning service, call Maxx AC at (281) 338-2653.

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