7 tips to purify the air in your home

Although we can't see it with the naked eye, the air in our homes is polluted. That's why it's essential to take certain steps to improve its quality and protect the family.

Hundreds of pollutants pass through the atmosphere in which we live. Microscopic pollutants are everywhere, and you don't have to be outside to suffer damage or be exposed to illness.

According to research conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor pollution is often two to five times greater than outdoor pollution. This has nothing to do with indoor dirt. In fact, the particles containing toxic agents that deteriorate the air in your home come from everyday items such as detergents, cleaning products, pesticides, air fresheners, building materials, etc.

Free yourself from this situation and start breathing easier with these tips and items that will help you clean the air in your home.

1. Improve ventilation

Poor ventilation allows pollutants to remain in the air. R. Surech of the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in India explains that this is why you need to get fresh air into your home.

Ideally, you should open windows and doors at least two or three times a day, unless you suffer from allergies or extreme temperatures. When cooking or bathing, it is a good idea to turn on an exhaust fan, if you have one, to help remove pollutants and reduce humidity.

2. Have a HEPA 13 type air purifier

It will remove all impurities above 0.3 microns, most bacteria, viruses, pollen, dust mites and even some volatile compounds such as formaldehyde if it is also equipped with a high performance carbon filter.

3. Have indoor plants

Can't afford those expensive air filters? Fill your space with indoor plants. Some can help remove toxins from the air and are considered a promising and inexpensive solution to indoor pollution. Plus, they protect us from any side effects associated with common toxins, such as ammonia, formaldehyde and benzene.

Some of the most popular houseplants include areca palm, potus, aspidistra, bamboo, ferns and palms.

4. Activated carbon

You can also use activated charcoal to purify the air in your home. Best of all, it's odorless, highly absorbent and works wonders for removing toxins from the air. It is often found in effective air purifier.

5. Essential oils

Essential oils such as oregano, rosemary, thyme, grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon and tea tree prevent viruses, fungi, bacteria and even mold from surviving in your home. Another way to introduce them would be to add them to soaps and detergents to breathe fresher, cleaner air.

6. Natural Fibers

Believe it or not, there are a lot of building materials whose paint or glue contain organic compounds and chemicals that emit fumes that pollute the environment. To avoid this, in this case, the most common recommendation is to use natural materials in the home.

Whenever possible, choose natural fibers in textiles, such as wool or cotton; opt for bamboo, glass or cork for furniture; and use eco-friendly paints for walls.