Despite not necessarily being harmful to our health, some of the materials or products we use in our homes contribute to indoor air pollution. Do you know which ones?
The air quality in our homes is not always the best. Sometimes, unknowingly, what we bring inside our houses only adds to the problem. Fortunately, it’s easy to fix.
1— Your Dishwasher Is the Worst Offender!
The titleholder of the worst air pollutant in our properties is the dishwasher. The real culprit is the detergent as it often contains chlorine. Each time the dishwasher door is opened right after a cleaning cycle is complete, the steam that is released contaminates the air. In the short term, it is probably not harmful, but over time, no one knows! Our tip: it’s best to wait until the appliance has completely cooled down before opening it.
2— An Air Freshener That Stinks!
To make the air in the bathroom smell sweet and clean, many of us use aerosol air fresheners. But these products may emit VOCs that are known to irritate the skin and lungs. That stinks! Our tip: opt for scented candles instead.
3— A Two-Faced Air Conditioner
There is no time we love our air conditioners more than in the summer, during a heat wave. But as the weeks go on, dust and moisture accumulate inside, out of sight. Sometimes, mould can even begin to grow. Dusting the exterior shell is not enough, you must wash the filters as well; otherwise, your air conditioner will propel all these impurities into the house each time you turn it on. Our tip: clean the filters at least twice over the summer.
4— Cancer-Causing Furnishings
Some furnishings, cabinets and shelves are assembled using glue containing urea formaldehyde. This chemical may irritate the respiratory tract and worsen the symptoms of allergies. It is even a suspected carcinogen! Our tip: look for solid wood furniture or shelving made of metal such as stainless steel over models constructed out of composite building materials.
5— Area Rugs That Will Trip You Up
Big or small, we love rugs and carpets for the style and coziness they add to every room in the house. But their fibres — short or long — catch and hold on to everything: dust, germs, crumbs, etc. Some synthetic fibre models may even release harmful volatile organic compounds into the air. Vacuuming every day is a good start, but for optimally clean rugs and air, give your carpets a good shampooing at the start of every season. Our tip: also consider lifting carpets and rugs to scrub the floor underneath to prevent the growth of mould.
6— Insidious Cleaning Product Containers That are Actually Air Pollutants
Did you know that keeping your cleaning products beneath the kitchen or bathroom sink is a bad idea? It is not uncommon for fumes to escape out of the bottles and containers and gradually erode plumbing pipes over a few years. Hello drips, leaks and water damage! But more importantly, imagine how these chemical vapours may be affecting your family! Our tip: store these products in the garage or choose environmentally friendly formulations.
So, are any of these air pollutants sources present in your home?