When most people think of air pollution, they imagine smoke and dust infested cities and manufacturing plants sending up clouds of toxic fumes. However, what you may not know is that your home is one of the most polluted places around.

The EPA estimates that the air quality inside your house is two to five times worse than the atmosphere outside. As a result, it is important to take the necessary steps to tackle this issue and ensure great air quality within our homes. Here are the most effective options to consider:

Increase Ventilation

Did you know that cooking alone can cause significant air pollution inside your home? This can be due to using gas or propane stoves that release harmful gases, or from heating oil, fat, or other ingredients when we cook. These fumes can continue to accumulate inside your home if you don’t ventilate your kitchen properly. Fortunately, there are a few precautions that you can take.

Consider installing an exhaust fan in your kitchen. If you already have one, make sure to keep it on while you are cooking and for a short while afterwards as well. You should also open your windows every day so that fresh air can circulate throughout your home. Get into the habit of doing this during the winter months as well, even if just for a little while.

Adopt Better Cleaning Methods

Cleaning methods such as vacuuming and using household cleaning products can also compromise air quality. Vacuuming can re-release and suspend dust particles and allergens in the air, while household cleaners can increase the amount of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

To combat this, invest in a vacuum cleaner with a superior filter. This should work to trap a greater amount of the dust in your home. You may also want to look into natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. Warm water and soap will do the trick as well.

Maintain Your HVAC System

It is important to remember that your HVAC system just recycles the same air inside your home – it doesn’t actually draw in anything from the outside. As a result, if the system is clogged up with dust and dirt, you are automatically compromising the quality of air inside your house. Therefore, maintaining the HVAC system on a regular basis is key. In addition, you should make it a point to change the air filter as needed. This will help to considerably cut down on the dust entering your house.

Invest in an Air Purifier

In addition to staying on top of the maintenance for air filters, you may want to invest in an air purifier as well. This is a wonderful device in households with lots of pets. It can also help to prevent allergy attacks. If you are on a budget, buy smaller purifiers for the main rooms of the house or for the bedrooms. It is possible for you to circulate the device from one room to another on a regular basis.

Grow the Right Indoor Plants

It is a well-known fact that indoor plants can help to boost air quality. This is because they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. They can also improve the humidity levels inside. However, it is important to grow the right plants for this. Some plants are just better at the air purification process than others. These species include Peace Lilies, Golden Pathos, Snake Plants, Bamboo Plants, English Ivy, and Spider Plants.

These are the most effective options to consider to improve the air quality inside your home. For the greatest results, make it a point to incorporate all of them. You should begin to see the results fairly soon.