What you may not have realized is that the air we breathe inside our homes is far more contaminated than the air outdoors. Why? Because our everyday products contain contaminants that we are oblivious to. Be it the dust that accumulates on the inside of our drawers from our beds, the paint on our walls, the ingredients in our shampoos, and lotions – all of these include chemicals and poisons that are causing us harm in the long term.
Formaldehyde, a dangerous gas-like carcinogen pollutant, is found in glues, shampoos, shaving creams, pesticides, and carpets. Cigarette smoke has the same toxin. Paint, nail products, cleaning supplies, and detergents all contribute to the pollution of the air within our houses.
Indoor Plants
Using houseplants, similar to stepping outside to get fresh air and relieve stress, brings those benefits indoors. Houseplants offer a variety of benefits in the home, the most notable of which is their ability to naturally filter the air. Place houseplants in different parts of the house to get the most out of their air-purifying powers.
Weeping figs and snake plants are two popular air-purifying houseplants. Many indoor houseplants absorb hazardous compounds present in man-made materials that are known to clear pollutants into the air in your home, school, and office, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Furthermore, according to a study conducted at Virginia Tech, houseplants can lower indoor dust by up to 20%.
Soy Wax Candles
Soy wax is a solid type of hydrogenated soybean oil manufactured from soybeans, making it a natural and sustainable product. Soy wax, unlike paraffin which is a byproduct of crude oil refining, is a reasonably pure substance used to produce candles. There are numerous significant advantages to choosing soy when manufacturing or purchasing candles.
Though these candles may be more expensive than the paraffin alternative, the benefits are worth it. The natural soy candles emit far less smoke than paraffin candles, resulting in a cleaner burn. This implies that anyone who is sensitive to candle smoke will find soy wax far more tolerable, and the air will be cleaner and smell great as a result.
Air Purifier
Closing our house’s doors and windows doesn’t prevent external contaminants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide from entering. These gases are typically found in high-traffic locations and can easily find their way into your house. According to the National Library of Medicine research, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide PM exposure raises the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Even if you don’t live in a huge city with a lot of traffic, the air in your home could be polluted by toxins from various cleaning chemicals. Many common household cleaners contain harmful substances like ammonia, chlorine, and phthalates. Exposure to these substances in tiny amounts may be innocuous, but repeated exposure can lead to major health problems such as cancer.
Air purifiers using activated carbon can remove these chemical contaminants, reducing the risk of a variety of health issues. In this carbon filtering technology, a highly porous form of carbon is employed to capture contaminants while recycling fresh air back into the space.
Aromatherapy Oils
Burning pure essential oils is an excellent way to clear the air while also providing numerous therapeutic benefits to those in your house, same as using soy wax candles for the array of scents. Consider using high-quality pure essential oils to make the most out of their fragrances in your easy-to-use essential oils diffuser.
Lemon, orange, grapefruit, cinnamon, peppermint, and cedarwood are the most common essential oils for air fresheners. Aromatherapy is a great way to organically freshen up the aroma of your home. Essential oils work well in a diffuser, and many may be combined to create a distinct smell.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal (or activated carbon) is charcoal that has been heated further during the production process. This essentially purifies the charcoal by removing contaminants. It enhances the surface area of the charcoal and develops more micropores, making it even more effective in odour trapping. Because the pores do not provide nutrition or moisture, the imprisoned bacteria perish. Instead of simply hiding the odours, the odours must be neutralized. Using charcoal is one way to accomplish this. Instead of just masking the odour, charcoal removes it by adsorbing the hazardous particles in the air, not just concealing it.
Natural Cleaners
The use of cleaning goods weekly brings numerous toxins into a home. To combat filth, consider using natural cleaning agents such as white vinegar or baking soda. Other effective options are hydrogen peroxide and club soda, which will clean just as well without the chemical residue. Making every attempt to filter the air in your home is critical for your family’s health and well-being. Consider all of these natural strategies to boost the air quality.
Safe Air Fresheners
Air fresheners simply mask a bad odour without eradicating the germs that cause it. Many homeowners are misled into believing that their home is clean, safe, and healthy. However, disguising scents simply allows more of these harmful bacteria to grow over time, while also adding to the problem with the poisonous substances an air freshener emits.