This is the final article in a 3-part series on “A Healthier Home.” The first two can be found at “Tidy Home, Tidy Life,” and “Lighting Your Way to Healthier Sleep.” They are in no particular order.
We don’t get to control the air quality in our town or city, but we can manage the air inside our homes. Good air quality is important to one’s overall well-being, including physical health, cognitive function, and focus.
The first step to keeping your home’s air clean is by using a high-quality air filter to trap pollutants before circulating into your home. A filter’s MPR (Microparticle Performance Rating) indicates its effectiveness, with a higher rating able to capture more particles.
Even the best air filter cannot keep a home free of pollutants and odors. They find their way in, and many originate right within the home. Air purifiers go a long way to clean indoor air. A good purifier should have 3-stage filtration to capture large particles, like dust and pollen, and small, like viruses and bacteria. They also trap odors like food and smoke.
To quickly improve your home’s air, the Levoit Vital 200S can clean a large room, and the Core 600S is effective up to 635 square feet. Both models can be app- and voice-controlled, and they even display the room’s current air quality.
For a more economical model, the Pure Enrichment’s PureZone™ Mini is easy to take from room to room, keeping the air in your personal space fresh. It’s also handy for removing smells at the source – whether in the bathroom or next to your roommate’s cooking.
When trying to make their homes smell better, many people reach for scented sprays or plug-ins. Unfortunately, most of these add chemical pollutants, which are then breathed in. Synthetic fragrances and cleaners can cause headaches, sore throats, and even brain fog. New skin and respiratory allergies can also develop over time.
These types of “air fresheners” are heavily advertised, but enzymatic cleaners and activated carbon are much safer choices. Both break down unwanted odors, neutralizing rather than trying to mask them.
A highly rated all-purpose enzymatic cleaner from Zeiff contains no harmful fragrances or dyes, but it can clean and deodorize throughout the home. Nature’s Miracle is a reputable brand for pet owners, although not all its products are enzymatic. Dog owners will appreciate its Stain and Odor Remover. Because cat urine is notorious for its potent, relentless odor, they also make a Urine Destroyer for Cats that removes what most cleaners leave behind.
Activated carbon absorbs odors and moisture from the air. It comes in small sachets, which work in everything from gym bags and bathroom closets to basement storage. Some of the best-selling activated carbon is from Vitscan, which has a pack of 6 small bags, and a 12-pack with two different sizes. Here we looked at ways to clear your home of pollutants and odors safely. A future post will discuss adding pleasant scents without synthetic fragrances.
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