Steps You Can Take to Get Rid of Bad Air
Dirt, dust and other particles
- Dust your home regularly with a damp rag so you don’t stir up particles. Afterward, vacuum at least once a week using a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Always remove shoes at the door to avoid tracking in dirt, pollen and lead particles.
- When weather permits, keep windows slightly open during the day and in the bedroom at night to let bad air out. If you’re concerned about safety or energy loss, consider a ventilation system.
- Keep pets outdoors as often as possible and off the carpet. Make sure to frequently bathe them and wash their bedding materials.
- Keep your heating and air-conditioning system well maintained, and have your ducts cleaned.
- Wash bedding frequently. Because you spend most of your hours at home in your bedroom, it’s the most important room for allergen control.
- Use hot water (at least 130 degrees) and high heat to clean sheets once a week, and mattress pads, blankets and comforter covers once a month.
- Wash children’s stuffed animals in hot water; another option is to place them in a plastic zipper bag and then put in the freezer overnight to kill dust mites.
- Use airtight plastic covers or allergen-proof fabric covers to encase mattresses, box springs and pillows and protect them against dust mites. Mattresses can be cleaned with a vacuum designed for allergen filtration, or treated with an allergen spray available from home stores.
- Regularly change the filters on your heating and air-conditioning system.
Mold, mildew and other living organisms
- Keep relative humidity within a range of 30% and 60%.
- Make sure your home is properly ventilated.
- Stop any water leaks before you try to clean mold to limit its future growth.
- Remove mold from hard surfaces such as ceramic tile by cleaning it with dishwashing liquid and then following with a solution of bleach and warm water.
- Water-damaged carpets, bedding and furniture should be cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours, or replaced. Increasing air circulation and ventilating your home with fresher outside air can help.
- Check around air-handling units (air conditioners, furnaces) for stagnant water.
- Turn on your air conditioner and/or dehumidifier during summer months, and use the “auto fan” setting to reduce humidity and save energy.
- Regularly wipe down shower curtain liners.
- Avoid the use of carpets/rugs in rooms below ground level.
Odors and chemicals
- Store household cleaners, paint solvents and chemical products in tightly sealed containers. If possible, keep them outdoors.
- Avoid using scented deodorizers and odor-masking air fresheners, which may contain toxic chemicals.
- Air out your dry-cleaned clothes before hanging them in your closet.
- Plan craft and home-improvement projects during mild seasons, when workspaces can be easily and comfortably ventilated.
- Choose furnishings that emit the smallest possible amount of chemical vapors.
- Do not allow smoking inside your home and make sure all gas appliances are properly vented.
- Keep the basement area dry.
- Keep your house clean and adequately ventilated.
- Vacuum pet hair and launder animal beds.
- Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Place an open box of baking soda on a table or other surface to rid a room of smells.
- Another option is to soak a cotton ball with pure vanilla extract and place it on a shallow dish.
- When choosing a humidifier or other air-treatment system, choose one with no ozone emissions. Ozone is a known lung irritant.