Homeownership is more than having a comfortable house to live in. It also means shouldering the responsibilities of maintaining your home properly. Be prepared for more expenses, from paying off your mortgage to extensive home repair costs.
That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun in the process, though. If you enjoy growing plants, landscaping might become a new hobby for you to explore. Since you have more control over your indoor furnishings, you might enjoy redecorating on occasion, especially during holidays.
One of the most important tasks for home maintenance is keeping it clean. Unbeknownst to some, that also includes air quality—especially if someone in your household has a delicate respiratory system. Here are some sources of air pollutants you should be wary of inside your home.
Paint
If your home renovations involve a fresh coat of paint, avoid inhaling the fumes that come with it. Volatile organic compounds or VOCs, a main component of paints, are the reason these fumes are dangerous for your health. Without the proper safety measures, they can cause eye and nose irritation, dizziness, or nausea.
Reduce paint fume exposure by choosing paints that have low levels of VOCs. As an additional safety measure, use a respirator and PPE when working with paint. Do your renovations during sunny days—it can help the fumes disperse easier.
Make sure that the room is well-ventilated once you’re done painting. Point your fans outside windows for better airflow. You can also use baking soda, charcoal, or vinegar to absorb the fumes. Leave them in small bowls around the room.
Air Conditioner
Besides adjusting a room’s temperature and humidity, air conditioners also have the additional function of improving air quality. If you neglect its maintenance, however, it won’t be able to do its task properly. In some cases, it can end up decreasing air quality.
Clean your air conditioner regularly, at least once a month, to keep it in good working condition. Begin by vacuuming your unit to remove most of the dust and other large debris. Rinse it with water to remove the rest of the dirt. Use a cleaning spray if you need to.
No matter how much you maintain your air conditioner, however, there will be times that it can break down due to machine deterioration. If that happens, call for AC repair services in Herriman immediately. They’ll tell you whether your unit can be saved or if you need to buy a new one.
Household Products
Paints are not the only items that contain VOCs; your household products are also a source of these toxic compounds. It can come from various things, from the pieces you use to clean your home to the products you use for your personal care.
Bleach and aerosol sprays are the main sources of VOCs in your home. That is the reason for the bleach’s clean scent or the unique smell hair spray usually has. Air fresheners are another possible source of VOCs, so you might want to minimize its usage.
Look for other alternatives for your household products; consider using natural options. Keep your house well-ventilated and low in moisture. You can also use natural air filters, such as baking soda and charcoal, to help purify the air.
Keeping the air clean has the benefit of improving your everyday quality of life. Build up a habit of regular maintenance not only to keep your home neat but also to keep your household healthy.
