Simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality include: Reduce dust by vacuuming regularly and using a microfiber or damp cloth for dusting. Reduce humidity to avoid mold and mildew buildup and change appliance filters regularly. And make sure to test your home for dangerous gases like radon.
Beeswax and soy candles usually burn cleaner than paraffin wax. Furthermore, beeswax candles can actually clean your air by releasing some negative ions that easily bind with toxins to help eliminate them from your indoor air. You can also use oil diffusers and essential oils instead of burning candles.
The most effective ways to improve your indoor air are to reduce or remove the sources of pollutants and to ventilate with clean outdoor air. In addition, research shows that filtration can be an effective supplement to source control and ventilation.
Opt for a HEPA air purifier that captures 99.97% of dust and particles as small as 0.3 microns. Some purifiers also link up to apps on your smartphone to deliver indoor air quality reports. On windy days, keep the windows closed to prevent outdoor particles and allergens from blowing inside and mixing with indoor dust.
Beeswax or soy candles.
These candles burn cleaner than regular paraffin wax. Beeswax candles clean the air by releasing negative ions into the air which bind with toxins and help remove them from the air.
The warm glow of beeswax candles emits negative ions that bind to toxins and remove them from the air. Beeswax & soy wax candles scented with pure essential oils give off naturally purifying aromas for a fresh atmosphere.
So, does boiling vinegar actually clean the air? The short answer is no, as far as current scientific research is concerned. Acetic acid, the active component of vinegar, is capable of killing pathogens, but only through direct contact.
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea. Because many illnesses can cause these symptoms, diagnosing sick building syndrome is difficult.
Stuffy air typically occurs in rooms that lack ventilation. Open windows and doors, or run your ventilation system if you have one. Some areas of the home may also need spot ventilation. Adding a bathroom or kitchen fan near the moisture or pollution source helps to solve common problems.
But one of the most important technologies in air purification is actually a material that dates back thousands of years: charcoal, in the modern sense, activated charcoal. Also known as activated carbon, this is a high-surface-space material that has been used to clean air and water for years.
A few of her favorites include Peppermint, Lavender, and Lemon. “These are cleansing oils, and can be diffused in your home to help cleanse the air, and promote clear breathing and healthy respiratory functions,” she explains. Eucalyptus supports the respiratory system, and helps to maintain clear airways.
Citrus- Lemon, grapefruit, and orange essential oils are all antimicrobial. Their high levels of limonene help destroy airborne viruses and clean the air in your home. They are also beneficial to the lymphatic system, and leave a fresh cheerful scent that really brings the outdoors in.
With so many mixed messages about the safety of paraffin candles, a “better safe than sorry” attitude is sometimes the best approach for anyone who's concerned. That means choosing candles that are composed of 100% soy, 100% beeswax, or any other natural ingredient, such as palm, as well as cotton wicks only.
Don't burn a candle in an enclosed space, lantern or box.
This can be particularly problematic in a very small room, where the enclosed space can cause the scent to become overwhelming and even potentially cause a safety hazard by filling the room with smoke and too many scent molecules.
Burning beeswax produces negative air ions (NAIs); an occurrence not found with paraffin candles. Negative ions bond with, and help eliminate, many common airborne toxins such as particulate matter, dust, mold spores and other allergens.
Burning candles can be extremely dirty, especially scented ones. Although they appear to burn cleanly, they produce tiny particles of soot that become airborne.
Exactly where these particles come from depends on the home. Unfortunately, keeping your windows open will not reduce the amount of dust in your home; in fact, doing this could increase it.
Dust mite droppings, dead bodies of dust mites, pet dander, and small insects are included as allergens,” says Ketan Patel, design manager of floorcare at Dyson. Additionally, outside dust is a major contributor to indoor dust. It finds its way into your home through unsealed windows and doors.