I love September weather in New York! The air is crisp and cool in the morning, and dry and sunny during the day. September is the perfect time to prepare for the upcoming colder months.
One of things I like to do near the end of September is to make sure I keep my indoor air as clean as possible. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the air inside U.S. homes may be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and in some cases as much as 100 times more polluted than outdoor air.
One of the cheapest ways to I keep the indoor air in my home clean is that I try and keep my home as clean as possible. Staying ahead of dust and dust mites can dramatically improve the air we breathe. I make sure to dust around windows and door trim, not forgetting about all of my window treatments either! I also use a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner so when I clean I am not pushing the dust back into the air. I also have a bag-less vacuum so I avoid that “smoke dust” that seems to happen everytime I used to change my vacuum bag.
If you don’t have one already, you might want to consider buying an indoor air purifier. One of the most important functions of an air purifier is its ability to remove pollutants such as cigarette smoke, dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander from the air. It is also great at removing odors. There are many units out there to choose from, and most manufacturers will offera trial run with the units for up to 30 days. By that time you should be able to tell whether the unit is worth the investment.
Cleaning with natural ingredients like vinegar, water and baking soda is the way I always clean my home. I really think it makes such a big difference in the quality of air that I breathe in my home. I am always blogging about different tips and recipes on how to clean your home with these ingredients too!
If you have any information that you would like to share on our blog about how you keep your indoor air clean, write to us and let us know!