Americans today spend a whopping 90 percent of their time indoors, yet the air we breathe inside our homes is often more polluted than the air outside. There are many things that can reduce indoor air quality (IAQ), but dust is one of the most prevalent. If you feel like you’re engaged in a never-ending battle against dust accumulation in your home, there are some simple things you can do to reduce the problem and improve IAQ.
Improve Your Cleaning Routine
It may come as a surprise, but regularly dusting your home won’t actually improve IAQ if you’re not using the proper cleaning tactics. Dust and mop with a slightly damp cloth so you’re capturing the dust and disposing of it. A dry cloth or dry mop will simply move the dust around.
Turn on the fan setting on your thermostat while you’re cleaning. This will keep air circulating and draw away any airborne dust that you do kick up. Turn the fan off again when you’re finished, as most home HVAC systems aren’t designed to operate the fan continuously.
Get Organized
If you have a lot of clutter piled up around your house, you have plenty of areas for dust to gather. Clear floor space where you can so you can mop and vacuum accordingly. To keep dust from gathering on your clothing, place garments in plastic boxes or garment bags.
Take Care of Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system offers a great defense against dust buildup when it’s properly cared for. Check your filter at least once a month and change it no less than once every three months. Schedule routine maintenance visits in the spring and fall to keep your system in top condition. Your HVAC contractor will thoroughly clean the system during these visits, clearing dust out of the system. If you have excessive dust buildup in your ductwork, you should have it cleaned from time to time as well.
For more information on how you can improve IAQ at home, check out One Source Heating & Cooling’s indoor air quality solutions or call us today at (205) 509-1929.
Image Provided by Shutterstock.com
