One of the advantages of living in Fort Wayne, Indiana is the air quality. According to NASA, the area has one of the lowest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the United States, with low uncertainty in the air quality. However, noxious gasses are not the only pollutants we need to worry about. Pet dander, pollen, mold, ozone, and other everyday contaminants can work against your efforts to improve indoor air quality.
It’s not just outdoor air quality that affects our everyday life. Many of those pollutants often come indoors from a multitude of sources: Our HVAC systems, from our clothes, and the act of opening and closing doors. Considering Americans spend 90% of their time inside, keeping the air quality high inside is critical to your overall health.
The good news is you don’t need complicated air filtration systems or upgrades to your heating and air conditioning to keep the air quality high inside your home. With regular cleaning and home upkeep, you can reduce the number of irritants inside and continue to breathe easy with your family’s well being in mind.
Stay Informed on Air Quality Issues at Large and at Home
Before you can defend your home against air quality pollutants, it’s important to understand which ones you may face on an everyday basis. For example: Vehicle traffic and exhaust adds carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide to the air, while common particles your family and pets bring in includes dirt, dust, smoke, and even heavy metals.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
While we can’t control what pollutants we are exposed to on a daily basis, understanding the most common ones can lead to positive lifestyle changes. Here are some of the most common indoor pollutants Fort Wayne homeowners face on a daily basis.
- Asbestos: Once sought after for its construction properties, asbestos is known for its highly toxic properties in older homes and buildings. It can commonly be found in older cement, pipe insulation, and other insulation products. When inhaled as a dust or fiber, individuals can experience short term difficulty breathing, pleural disease, or even lung cancer.
- Carbon monoxide: One of the most common pollutants found in today’s world, carbon monoxide is emitted from water heaters, furnaces, gas stoves, and motor vehicles. Increased exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to tiredness, headaches, or even confusion and dizziness.
- Mold: Mold can grow anywhere where moisture and organic material exists. In your home, they can be found near kitchen sinks, bathrooms, or anywhere else excessive moisture can collect. Exposure can lead to eye and nasal irritation, difficulty breathing, rashes, and even headaches.
- Radon: Like the name suggests, radon is an odorless, radioactive gas that is emitted from the dirt and water, which is why it most commonly collects in basements. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to the development of lung cancer.
- Tobacco smoke: The long-standing effects of smoking have been widely documented, including cancer, heart disease, COPD, and other diseases. But thirdhand smoke – the residue that sticks in clothes from smoking – can also have lasting health effects, especially for children.
Monitoring for Air Pollutants
Understanding which pollutants are most prevalent can lead to abatement activities to reduce their presence in your home. From asbestos abatement during home improvement projects, to quitting smoking today, it’s amazing what smart decisions and a simple cleaning plan can do.
Monitoring the air quality can also go a long way towards managing your family’s overall health. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has an Air Quality Index (AQI) which tracks the air quality on a daily basis. Their index measures ozone and particulate matter in the local air, which could create complications for those with health issues. Tracking the AQI for Fort Wayne regularly can help you determine which days are better for going out, and which days you will need to be careful about pollutants entering your home.
Air pollution monitors in your home can also help you manage your overall home health. Low-cost air pollution monitors – also known as air quality sensors or air quality monitors – can inform you when the pollutants begin to collect in your home, allowing you to make quick decisions to reduce their presence to improve your family’s health.
Did you know that the City of Fort Wayne bans open burning?
Another way Fort Wayne reduces the amount of pollutants in the air is by banning open fires in the city. Under city law, trash fires – regardless of if its yard waste or otherwise – are banned at all times. The only exceptions are bonfires for school pep rallies, and campfires for scouting. This benefits the community in two ways: In addition to reducing fire hazards for families and homeowners, it also helps to keep the air clean for all Fort Wayne residents.
5 Ways Cleaning Improves Indoor Air Quality
Beyond monitoring air conditions and planning for bad air days is only one part of keeping the air in your home safe for breathing. Regular and detailed cleaning of your home can also reduce all types of pollutants, making it easier to breathe in your home. These five tips will help you keep every part of your home – including the air – clean all year long.
1. Vacuuming and dusting remove allergens and dust mites.
Microscopic particles and dust mites in your carpeting, upholstery, and even your bed can create microscopic pollutants that can trigger allergies and make it harder to breathe. Regular floor vacuuming can eliminate the pests and pollution, cutting down on the hazards your lungs are exposed to and keeping your house much more comfortable. At CottageCare, we use upright vacuum cleaners on carpeted surfaces and canister vacuums for hard surfaces with top-end filtration, making sure every surface is left spotless.
2. Cleaning can inhibit mold growth.
Mold can accumulate in areas where moisture is regularly present, such as showers and sinks. Regular cleaning of these surfaces knock out mold and prevent spores from entering the air – and ultimately your lungs. When CottageCare comes through your Fort Wayne home, we always clean and sanitize sinks, showers, and toilets in every room where they are present, stopping the growth of current mold and discouraging new growth in those areas.
3. Regular cleaning prevents stagnant air and bacterial growth.
When organic matter is allowed to build up, it can result in stagnant, polluted air compounded by bacteria growth. Regular cleaning of high-traffic areas and lesser-used parts of your home where dust and other contaminants build up can continually refresh the air, stopping particulate matter from reaching your family. Part of Fort Wayne CottageCare’s standard regimen includes vacuuming and dusting every part of your home to prevent stagnant air and stop the growth of unwanted bacteria.
4. Keeping vents clean and clear promotes air circulation.
Even when you run your heating and air conditioning regularly, dust and other particles can build up on your vents. This is especially true in older homes where the vents are located on the floor. Regularly changing your HVAC system filters and cleaning vents can stop the spread of harmful dust and other pollutants throughout your home. A core part of the CottageCare checklist includes dusting off vents and other parts of your home, to reduce particles entering the ducts of your Fort Wayne home, and preventing them from building up on vents.
5. Using eco-friendly cleaners minimizes air pollutants.
Not all cleaners are made the same. Some detergents and cleaning solutions have harsh active ingredients, which can release noxious fumes into your home. Choosing softer cleaners with eco-friendly active ingredients are not just better for the environment, but also makes the air inside your home breathable. CottageCare only uses cleaners that are safe for humans and animals while reducing pollutant residues in your home and in local waterways, making sure your home gets the highest quality clean for every member of your family.
When it’s time to give your family the gift of an incredible clean, you need the team at CottageCare Fort Wayne to keep your home spotless with impeccable air quality. Our attention to detail will ensure your home stays a sanctuary for every member of your family, protecting them from bacteria, mold, gasses, and other unwanted pollutants. Call us today to learn more about how we can help.
More Ways to Keep Your Air Clean
While a professional cleaning of your house will help clear the air in your home, there are many different ways you can reduce the amount of pollutants in your home. Many of these solutions are cost effective and complement your other home health measures.
Try an Air Purifier
Although no air purifier will eliminate every pollutant from your home, a high quality portable purifier will significantly reduce the amount of gasses and particles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using an activated charcoal filter, with enough power to cover the entire room.
Utilize High-Efficiency HVAC Filtering
Working in conjunction with standalone purification systems, HVAC filters can also help to continually clean the air when your heating and cooling systems are running. Experts from the EPA recommend using a MERV 13 filter, or the highest filter that your home’s ventilation system is ranked for.
Keep the Air Clean in Your Fort Wayne Home
Maintaining a safe home isn’t just about regular cleaning and maintenance. Continually monitoring the air quality in your home can help you understand what pollutants are in the air, and how to keep it cleaner so everyone can breathe easier.
In addition to air quality monitoring and purifying measures, regular professional cleaning of your home can also keep your home sanitized and make the air much cleaner throughout your home. CottageCare is your partner in keeping your indoor air quality in your Fort Wayne home at a high cleanliness standard throughout the year. Contact us today to see how our solutions can keep your family safer with high-quality deep cleaning.