By now, most of us understand that clean air is essential for a clean lifestyle. Polluted air, both indoors and out—can drastically affect your quality of life. What most don’t know, is that the air in our homes can actually be filled with MORE pollutants than the air outside.
Last week we discussed the harmful effects chemical cleaners can have on your indoor air quality. But there are other factors as well. Mould is definitely one of the most serious dangers when it comes to indoor living. Followed by animal bacteria’s, dust, stagnant air and synthetic air fresheners including certain incense, candles and oils that are not plant-based.
These factors can have a detrimental effect on your health, with symptoms such as tiredness, fogginess, and lack of concentration. The more time you spend indoors with poor air quality, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms. Polluted indoor air can also cause headaches, dizziness, coughing, or wheezing, especially if you already suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory difficulties to begin with.
Fear not, there is a range of things you can do to improve your air quality and purify your home, including:
Swap synthetic, chemical products for natural alternatives.
Invest in high-quality beeswax/soy candles and organic, plant-based essential oils that have purifying, medicinal properties (use these in a diffuser to freshen the air).
Introduce salt lamps which not only provide a gorgeous warm glow to any room but also cleanse & deodorise the air.
Collect plants which convert carbon dioxide into oxygen – eliminating harmful gases and compounds. Some indoor plants include Peace Lily’s, Chinese Evergreen, Philodendron, Dracaena, Ivy and so many more!
Invest in a dehumidifier if your house is prone to mould.
Keep your carpets clean – they absorb everything in the air
Open the windows – let fresh air flow as much as possible.
An important tip is to always remember ‘you get what you pay for’. If you are spending under $10 on an essential oil, chances are they will be synthetically manufactured as it takes thousands of plants to make just one bottle of good quality oil. Same goes for candles, textiles and cookware for your kitchen. Always opt for natural fibres wherever possible.