Ahhh, Spring…how I love you! I love you because of the colors, the amazing fashion, the sense of new beginnings, and renewal that you bring. But I also dread you, Spring, because you bring ragweed pollen, tree pollen, grass pollen, dust, and mold into my life. 😩
Can you relate to this? As a seasonal allergy sufferer, I brace for the worst during the Spring. This is one of the reasons why I’m a big advocate for reducing pollutants in my house. It helps to reduce my seasonal allergy symptoms. Some staggering statistics may motivate you to find indoor air pollution solutions even if you don’t suffer from seasonal allergies. According to the EWG, the air inside our homes is 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. The Cleveland Clinic states that indoor air pollution can increase flare-ups of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We bring the chemical pollutants into our home each day, and some chemicals just build up over time because they are slowly released from building products, foam furnishings, carpet, and paint (per the EWG). But there is good news! There are 6 simple indoor air pollution solutions you can implement (starting today) to limit the air pollution inside your home. Let’s get started:
- Remove your shoes at the door. Our shoes carry us to and fro, but they are also carriers of dust, mold, and pollen. Leaving your shoes at the door ensures you don’t track dust, mold, and pollen throughout your home.
- Wash your hands and take a shower as soon as you get home for the day. The outside pollen is on you when you walk into your home. The best way to get it off is to wash it away ASAP!
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water. My doctor gave me this tip years ago. When you wash your sheets in hot water, you kill dust mites that are lingering on them. Yuck!
- Change your air filters. Not only do our air conditioners keep us cool, but they remove moisture and filter allergens. But, it’s so important to change the filters regularly (otherwise the indoor air quality will deteriorate). Add a reminder to your calendar to do this every 90 days if you don’t have pets, every 60 days if you have one pet, or every 45 days if you have multiple pets or allergies.
- Reduce perfumes. This is a tough one for me because I love perfume. However, some fragrances are starting to irritate my eyes, nose, and skin. Fragrances may contain toxins and if they do, those chemicals aren’t often listed on product labels. The toxins can trigger asthma attacks and have been linked to other negative health effects including cancer. No thank you.
- Minimize air fresheners use. They can contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can irritate your eyes and nose, trigger asthma attacks, or cause cancer. In addition, they may contain hormone disruptors.
Simple, right? Once you implement these 6 indoor air pollution solutions, you can continue to improve the air quality of your home by implementing the other steps listed here.
Spring is in the air and now you can literally breathe a little easier. Happy Spring!
Mrs. Traylor is a Fitness Instructor, NASM Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach, AFPA Certified Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist, wife, and momma who provides actionable advice for positive lifestyle changes with fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Read about Wendy’s inspiring entrepreneurial journey, and subscribe to Wendy’s newsletter here!
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