When you think of air pollution, you probably picture stark factories belching black smoke. You might also picture a packed highway generating noxious car fumes. What you probably don’t think of are your common home goods and cleaning products, which can be just as toxic. Here are four things you should avoid if you want to maintain clean air in your Severna Park, Maryland, home:
New Carpet
Many commercial carpets are pre-treated with chemicals for stain and flame resistance. These chemicals off-gas into the air for weeks or months after installation. Avoid these dangerous fumes by opting for low- or no-VOC carpeting. Green Label Plus is an independent program that tests VOC emissions from various types of carpeting.
Scented Candles
Candles can offer a delicious smell, but this artificial aroma is often laced with hazardous chemicals such as benzene and toluene. If you’re after the warm glow of a burning wick, opt for a natural beeswax candle instead. To add a pleasant scent to your home, place a few drops of a pure essential oil in a small vase of water and place some reed sticks in the container to diffuse the smell into your air.
Lemony Fresh Cleaning Products
Your cleaning products could be polluting your air if they contain the wrong chemicals. Those that boast a fresh lemon scent often get it artificially from a chemical called limonene. Limonene mixes with ground-level ozone to produce formaldehyde. Instead, get that lovely lemon aroma from the real thing. You can clean your home effectively with natural products like vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.
Sick People
If you have family or friends experiencing symptoms of illness, now’s not the time to invite them to your house. They can cough virus particles into your home’s air supply. Remind them that they should stay at home in self isolation for 14 days.
If you’re in need indoor air quality services, give Coastal Heating & Air Conditioning Co., Inc. a call. We can help you enjoy clean air inside your home so that you can breathe easier, sleep better and lead a healthier life.