10 Natural Air Filters to Purify the Air in Your Home
Do it yourself, 10 Natural Air Filters for your home. According to the EPA, indoor air pollution is 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor. The average person spends about 90% of their time at home. Since the quality of the air you breathe affects your health make sure to take all necessary steps to purify the air in your home.
The definition of Natural and it’s relation to Clean Air in Your Home
Natural is defined as what exists and evolved in this ecosystem. The opposite of natural is artificial. Artificial is anything (hu)man-made. I figured you knew that, however, many do not know the true meaning of the terms used to describe (or define) what is an Earth Friendly Cleaning Product. If you would like to find out more about what the terms, like Green, or Organic, and how the laws regulate the labels on cleaning products. LinkedIn Article
Here are the 10 Natural Air Filters for your home
1. Aerotherapy aer·o·ther·a·peu·tics
Aer·o·ther·a·peu·tics is the treatment of diseases through the process of cleaning the air a patient breathes. Allowing fresh air in will replace and push the polluted air out.
The easiest way to improve the air quality in your home naturally is to open the windows. Opening a window will increase the circulation of air in a room and reduces moisture.
Moisture is a primary cause of poor air quality. Stagnant air can recirculate mold spores, viruses, bacteria, toxins, and allergens. Increasing the circulation of clean air in and dirty air out will purify the air.
If opening the window isn’t an option, you can increase ventilation by using the exhaust fans in the kitchen when cooking, and in the bathrooms after a shower.
Cooking without proper ventilation, especially with a gas stove, can produce levels of nitrogen dioxide which is considered unsafe to breathe.
Turning on the vent after taking a shower will reduce the growth of mold and mildew. Make sure to regularly clean the filters, vents, and fan itself for maximum results.
2. Use indoor plants as natural air purifiers for your home
Plants clean the air through the process of photosynthesis. Studies have shown that small houseplants could remove a range of toxins from indoor air.
Be aware that if you have pets, some plants on the indoor natural air filter recommendation list may be poisonous. Always research before you bring the plant home.
It is important to understand that plants are not the best air purifiers. Using plants as air filters alone is not enough to keep indoor air clean. Add some items from this list and use HEPA air filters on forced-air appliances, such as your vacuum, heating, and air conditioning units.
3. De clutter your home to improve indoor air quality
A cluttered home is a messy one. Too many items make it harder to clean and create chaos in our lives. Collecting too many picture frames, figurines, and furniture will add to the surface area that dust and allergens can stick to.
A clean home is a healthy home. You must have the motivation to make a few changes around the house and stick to a set cleaning schedule. Keep the home well maintained between cleaning and make it a habit to pick up after yourself. Encourage your flatmates to do the same.
If you have an aging relative or you’re an older person, cleaning a home may be too difficult. Seniors are at a higher risk of clutter, as we age it becomes more difficult to maintain the home. Consider hiring a maid service.
A cluttered home can overwhelm and reduce productivity. De cluttering your home will improve your well being, improves your health, improves mood, and helps you relax. To de clutter is a form of self-care. It is empowering to organize and rid yourself of unnecessary objects.
4. Use a doormat and take shoes off at front door
According to the EPA, using a floor mat and taking your shoes off before entering the home reduces common toxins from entering your home by about 60%!
In some countries, it is considered offensive to enter the home without removing your shoes. Research has found that shoes carry microbes like viruses, bacteria, and other toxins into the home.
Make sure to keep a pair of indoor slippers you can easily slip on when you enter the home. If someone is visiting, like a repair technician, you can request they use shoe coverings before entering your home.
Plan ahead by scheduling a deep cleaning service. For example, if you’re having guests over, rather than forcing all your guests to walk barefoot, schedule a deep cleaning after.
5. Never smoke indoors
Did you know that smoke is the leading cause of poor air indoor quality? Changing daily habits such as never smoking inside is a simple fix to poor indoor air quality. Stepping outside to smoke will improve the health of everyone in your home, including your pets.
6. Avoid using candles with paraffin
Stop using candles with paraffin. Paraffin is petroleum-derived and releases toxins like benzene, toluene, and soot into the air. If you love candles, choose beeswax candles instead.
Beeswax candles act as natural air purifiers and neutralize toxic compounds floating in the air. They burn slower with little smoke or scent. If you prefer scented candles, try adding a few drops of essential oil to the melted wax as far from the flame as possible. Avoid placing EOs into or too close to the flame.
7. Use essential oils as natural air filters
Essential oils can kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and mold. When used in a combination, the compound can kill up to 99% of airborne microbes. This makes essential oils natural air purifiers.
Examples of essential oils that are natural air filters are cinnamon, rosemary, clove, thyme, pine needle. These oils kill microbes. Combining them into an antiseptic blend, such as Thieves oil, purifies the air.
8. Never dust with a dry cloth
Dusting and vacuuming (with a HEPA filter) should be done at least once a week. If you have a large family, or multiple pets, I would recommend dusting and vacuuming more often.
One key point to reduce the pollution circulating in the air is to always dust with a damp microfiber (reusable natural fiber) towel.
Always use the correct natural cleaning product or natural ingredients for the type of surface you are dusting.
Natural Ingredients for Dusting:
- Natural cloth duster
- water
- white distilled vinegar
- olive oil
- Castile soap
- lemon essential oil
- grapefruit essential oil
- lavender essential oil
Natural Dusting Recipe:
This natural dusting recipe may not be safe for all wood surfaces.
Ingredients
- 1 cup distilled water
- 2 tsp Castile soap
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or jojoba oil, optional
- 3 drops lemon, lavender, or your favorite E.O. is optional
Instructions:
- Mix ingredients in an empty glass spray bottle
- shake to mix
- spray on most surfaces, and
- wipe surfaces clean and dry with a natural cloth duster
9. Use Activated Charcoal to purify the air
Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been stripped of its impurities through a heating process. The charcoal pores trap odors and impurities from the air. The particles die on the surface because the pores are barren of moisture and nutrients.
To keep your activated charcoal activated, set outside once a month to clear the pores. This will reactivate the pores by clearing them. Direct sunlight isn’t necessary, since the charcoal only requires UV light to recharge.
10. Are Himalayan Salt Lamps really Natural Air Filters?
It’s been long touted that Himalayan Salt Lamps have the health benefits of detoxing room air. The lamps are made of solid Himalayan salt from Pakistan. Manufacturers of these lamps claim they release negative ions into room air and clean it.
Scientific studies have debunked this since the lamps are shown to omit few negative ions to clean the air alone. But a little can go a long way when used with other natural air filters for the home. Try Himalayan lamps in conjunction with houseplants, and activated charcoal to help clean the air in your home.
A maintained home is less likely to have toxic air
To recap: The air you breathe at home can have the largest impact on your health. This list of 10 Natural Air Filters for the Home in 2021 is easy to do and can be done in combination to purify the air in your home.
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