6 ways to breathe cleaner in home

Whether your concerns are about pollen and allergens, overall indoor air quality or just breathing a little cleaner, consider these tips to clear the air.

1. Install HVAC upgrades

Ultraviolet lights, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and filters all offer different ways to strip allergens and impurities from your air. These do come at a premium cost, so talk to an HVAC expert about what’s best for you.

2. Change your habits

You can sharply cut down dust and allergens with a few simple changes to your habits. For instance, get into the habit of taking off your shoes when you come into the house. Vacuum your carpet frequently to keep dust mites in the air. Clean your sheets and pillows once a week.

3. Add houseplants

Any kind of plant naturally scrubs the air at all times as it exchanges oxygen for carbon dioxide. Spider plants, aloe and rubber plants are all relatively low maintenance and absorb many impurities from the air.

4. Keep your closet clean

Closets are basically dust factories. Clothing and towels are constantly shedding tiny fibers that accumulate on the floor and the spread throughout the house. Plus, closets don’t usually get cleaned as diligently as the rest of the house. Vacuum and clean your closet once a week.

5. Clean your rugs the old-fashioned way

Vacuums can get most of the dust in a rug, but they don’t get everything. The old-timey methods are the best! Take rugs outside and hang them on a clotheslines, fence or other sturdy object. Then, use a stick or broom to give your rugs a thorough beating.

6. Minimize the use of artificial air fresheners and cleaning products

Synthetic chemicals can get into your home’s air and stick around for a while. You can’t completely eliminate these elements from your daily life, but do what you can to replace them with natural alternatives.