Breathing Problems? 3 Things You Can Do Around The House So You Can Breathe Easier
If you have breathing problems caused by medical conditions, such as asthma and COPD, the air in your home could be making your symptoms worse. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, indoor air can cause major health problems because of pollutants, such as mold, mildew, and dust mites, which are found frequently inside homes. If you already have health and breathing problems to begin with, these pollutants can set you over the edge and make you sicker. Following are three things you can do to keep indoor pollutants from making you sick.
Shampoo Your Carpet
Carpets are filled with dirt, dust mites, pet hair, dead skin cells, bacteria, mold ... the list goes on and on. Bottom line, they are unhealthy and can contribute to your breathing problems if they are not cleaned and cared for properly. While a good vacuuming helps, it doesn't remove all of the pollutants found in your carpet. In order to get your carpet clean, you have to have it professionally shampooed by a company that is allergy and asthma friendly.
Change Your Filter
Your furnace filter is the air filter for your home. It's supposed to catch any airborne pollutants and remove them from circulation. However, if yours is dirty or of low quality, it won't do the job properly. Make sure you install a high-quality allergen filter in your furnace. Also be sure to change it every two to three months, depending on your circumstances. If you have pets and allergies, you should change it every month.
Clean Your Ducts
A lot of people never think about cleaning their air ducts. The truth is, though, that dust and allergens can get trapped in your ducts. When the furnace or air conditioning comes on, these allergens get blown into the air, and you will breathe them in. To make sure you're breathing the cleanest air possible, have your ducts thoroughly cleaned every 3 to 7 years and sprayed with a registered biocide every year. A duct cleaning professional can advise you as to what type of cleaning schedule will work best for you and your home.
As you can see, there are several things you can do around the house so you can breathe easier. Indoor pollution is real, and if you have breathing problems, you have to protect yourself from it. In addition to using an allergy-reducing furnace filter, be sure to have your carpets and ducts cleaned regularly.