I've been thinking a lot about air quality lately. I am not really sure what got me on that kick but... here we are haha. I think it's safe to say that we all know that the air quality outside of our homes is poor. I recently found the the little feature (I know it's always been there but I never used to pay attention to it) on the weather app on my phone that tells me the air quality for the day and I am always shocked by the percentage.
Thanks to pollutants caused by planes, trains and cars as well as exhaust from factories and the fossil fuels, the air isn't always the best thing to be breathing in. But did you know that the air quality inside of your home can be bad for you too? We can thank the chemical products we use for cleaning and beauty for that one. If you have ever suffered from respiratory or skin problems when indoors, you probably have some knowledge on this!
Now, there are two things you can do.
Firstly, test the air quality in your home using an air quality test kit from amazon. If the readings are high, you know you need to make a few changes. Stat.
And secondly, make a few changes anyway, (what's the harm?) whether you test your air or not. You will feel healthier at home if you do. Here are a few suggestions.
#1: Ventilate
Airflow is crucial for quality air in your home, as you can both remove any odors and pollutants that have built-up, and let in the fresh air from the outside to rejuvenate the air quality inside.
A simple way to do this is to open your doors and windows regularly to let the clean air flow through. This is also important in more humid rooms, such as your kitchen and bathroom, to reduce the problems of damp in the air and on your walls.
You might also bring in the professionals to install trickle vents around your home as, especially in areas of your home that aren't well-ventilated, these can allow the required airflow your home needs to protect the people within from harm.
#2: Cultivate
This is where I suggest you should bring in a houseplant or two into your home. Plants act as natural air purifiers, removing harmful toxins from the air and replacing it with healthy doses of oxygen. Not only that, of course, but houseplants are great additions to your home decor too!
Now, some houseplants are better than others, so be careful with your choices. I discovered these air-cleaning houseplants online, so take a look and then hop, skip, and jump down to your garden center to pick something up. If you are in the Baton Rouge area might I suggest Baton Rouge Succulent Co. (it's my FAVE). Be sure to ask for advice on their upkeep too, and buy a plant grow light to ensure your plants last for longer.
#3: Innovate
Chemical cleaning products are both costly and toxic to your home, so why not create cleaning products of your own? Using natural products, you can maintain the cleanliness of your home the safe way, without the worry of skin irritations or nasty smells. There are a few recipes in the linked article, but you might be able to create concoctions of your own as well.
Here are some DIY perfume ideas too. Not only will you smell good but your home will too, and you won't have to suffer an asthma attack in the process!
If you haven't already, you should also check out Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products! They have seasonal ones that make my heart go crazy. They smell soooo good and are all natural products that are good for you and your family.
So, I hope these tips were helpful, but let me know your thoughts. And if you have any ideas of your own, be sure to share them below!
xx,
Kenzie
*Please note that this post may have affiliate links* Any products listed or reviews and opinions are as always of my own and true to how I feel.