According to a recent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, the average American spends approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. These indoor environments often have concentrations of pollutants are two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. Poor indoor air quality can cause discomfort (such as sore throats and sinus pressure) as well as impact productivity and mood. So what practices can be undertaken to ensure proper air quality throughout your home, and how they can be implemented in an overall design plan as part of creating a healthy home?

A Breath of Fresh Air

Regardless of outdoor air temperature, open your windows from time to time to get a breath of fresh air. Indoor air can become “stale,” caused by a build-up of high levels of moisture, odor, dust, and air pollutants. A healthy dose of fresh outdoor air is needed to dilute these indoor pollutants.

Control Moisture

The best way to control dampness and mold indoors is to control the sources of moisture. This may be easier said than done, particularly in the humid DC metro area. The key is to prevent the problem from developing (by using dehumidifiers and exhaust fans) as and fixing problems (such as leaks and drips) when they first arise.

“Green” Cleaning

Cleaning is an essential part of creating a healthy home. Oftentimes, common household products work just as well as chemical cleaners without fumes and pollutants. For example, baking soda helps to eliminate odors from your refrigerator and lemons make a wonderfully-perfumed general cleaner when left to infuse in white vinegar for a couple of weeks. For more advice about how to naturally care for your home, please see my recent article Tracy’s Tips to Spring Cleaning.

Add an Indoor Garden

Many of us are choosing to cook and eat at home these days. Creating an indoor vegetable garden can help add variety to your cooking and keep you from needing to make frequent trips to the store. An added bonus: studies show that plants can act as leafy air filters to help clean the air we breathe in our homes. Most herbs will grow easily indoors, but when it comes to vegetables, some may do better outdoors. See my article Ways to Refresh Your Home for examples of vegetable to grow indoors.

Creating a Healthy Home: Do Your Research

Make sure you – or your designer – use “no VOC” or “low VOC” paints, stains, and polyurethanes. VOC stands for “volatile organic compounds,” and are found in many building materials. These unstable chemicals let off gases that are very harmful to humans and the environment, which is why the government now regulates them. Try to buy wood cabinets and furniture made with solid wood rather than pressed or composite wood.

How can you incorporate these different elements in creating a healthy home? When considering your overall design plan, chose eco-friendly styles that focus on a minimalist approach to design by incorporating simple and timeless pieces. For example, Scandinavian design blends modern tastes with traditional craftsmanship for a clean look that will last decades. Would you like to discuss more ways to combine design elements when creating a healthy home? Please contact me today!