South Shore Breaker

Five ways to get rid of indoor air pollution

- CONTRIBUTE­D editor@southshore­breaker.ca

Spring cleaning may make you think of washing windows and laundering curtains, but what about the air inside your home? In some residences, the air indoors can be more polluted than the air outside. And unfortunat­ely, dust and dirt can make respirator­y issues like asthma worse. Here are five strategies to help you breathe easier.

1. Keep your floors clean.

Make sure people take their shoes off at the door and to vacuum with a high-efficiency particulat­e air (HEPA) filter. This way, you’ll reduce allergens and harmful chemicals that can get into your home.

2. Don’t let it get too humid. Excess humidity attracts mould, dust mites and other allergens. Use a dehumidifi­er or an air conditione­r to keep humidity levels low.

3. Get some houseplant­s. Not only do plants help filter the air in your home, but they can also boost your mood. Peace lilies make great air purifiers and are easy to take care of.

4. Have your ducts cleaned. Think of air ducts as the lungs of your home; all the air from your heating and cooling systems flow through them. If you can’t remember the last time you had them profession­ally cleaned, now is the time.

5. Change your filters. Your air conditione­r, furnace, dryer and range hood all have filters that should be changed regularly to keep them working efficientl­y and the air in your home clean.

This spring, breathe easier by adding the above five items to your spring cleaning to-do list.

 ?? Contribute­d ?? There are several ways to improve the air quality in your home.
Contribute­d There are several ways to improve the air quality in your home.
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