Having clean air in their home is important to most homeowners, and can help reduce allergens and other harmful debris that can damage your health. Getting clean air can be simple and eco-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about damaging the environment while you’re trying to help your health. We’ve found four environmentally friendly ways to get clean air in your home without harming your local ecosystem.
House Plants
Image via Flickr by F. D. Richards
One of the simplest (and prettiest) ways you can start purifying your home’s air is by purchasing a house plant. Good for removing even harsh chemicals like formaldehyde from the air, house plants not only spruce up your decor, but are the greenest way to purify air.
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are tons of house plants that are difficult to kill that will keep your air clean. Place the plants in the most heavily trafficked areas of your home and make sure you follow the light requirements, and they’ll go to work taking any toxins out of your air. If you have little ones or pets at home, make sure that the plant isn’t toxic to them — many should have a label that warns of their toxicity. For example, peace lilies are wonderful air cleaners, but can be deadly to furry friends.
‘Green’ Air Purifier
There are lots of environmentally friendly air purifiers out on the market that can help keep your home’s air as clean as possible, with easy installation. These work by pulling air through a filter that helps to remove debris–including germs that can cause the common cold–and pet allergens. Many offer reusable filters, so you don’t have to worry about throwing away a bunch of extra packaging.
Most eco-friendly air purifiers work by running on very little energy, but there are some models that use plants or have solar batteries, so that they require no energy at all.
Reduce Chemicals
Household cleaners contain many harmful chemicals that can make you feel sick. These chemicals linger in the air even after you finish cleaning, which can create long-term health issues. In order to cut these air-born issues, consider reducing or eliminating harsh chemicals in your home by using plant-based cleaners.
Even though they don’t have the same chemical power, plant-based cleaners work just as well as their chemical counterparts. Because they have limited to no chemicals, you don’t have to worry about noxious fumes.
Weatherize
Allergens and other debris can get in your home from the outside. It’s worth it to look around for air leaks and seal up the ones you find. This will keep pollutants from getting inside your home and remove the need to buy costly extra systems to keep your air clean. Weatherizing your home can also reduce your utility bill and your draw on the energy grid, meaning you’re reducing your strain on the environment.
Going green and having clean air can not only help you feel better overall, it can save you money in the long run and cut your environmental impact simultaneously. These four tips can help you breathe clean air, while helping the environment.
You must log in to post a comment.