Derek Cole explains why indoor air in modern homes is often worse than outdoor air, then walks through practical fixes: open windows while cleaning, use fragrance-free products, add plants, have ducts professionally cleaned, swap heavy curtains for lighter fabrics, replace air filters monthly, and organize entryways to keep allergens out.
Chapters
It's all about spring cleaning this time of year, spring cleaning, we finally got some 70 degree temperatures outside. It's feeling good, but it's time to spring clean. So I want to go over a few of the kind of forgotten, forgotten tips on spring cleaning when it comes to your heating and air system and your indoor air quality. Now I talk quite a bit about indoor air quality actually. We have a, even have a healthy home challenge for you to learn more about indoor air quality. But the reason I talk so much about it is because today we spend 90% of our time indoors. 90% according to EPA is the indoor air is two to five times worse than outdoor air. So why is it that way? And that's what we're going to talk about. We're going to talk about some spring clean tips and why things are the way they are. Really. If you want to go back to when it started, it was about the 1970s when people started becoming energy conscious. Homes began getting what they call tighter, which is more energy efficient. You know, in the winter, keep the colder air out, in the summer, keep the hot air out. Right. So it was a great way to conserve energy and be more efficient on that side. The downside of it is it developed what they call, quote, tight home syndrome. That means dirty still air was now locked in the home which started contributing to indoor air pollution. So it was the cause and effect. We had tighter homes, we had better energy efficient homes. The problem was the VOCs from the carpet or the paint or the whatever, all that was trapped in the house because there was nowhere for it to go. Right. I mean, the American Lung association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, they've expressed their concerns about the dangers of indoor air pollution. And according to epa, again, indoor allergens inheritance play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks and other health issues. It's a, it's a real thing, it's a real problem. What can you do about it? Well, today we're talking about spring cleaning. So this year when you spring clean, don't forget about your home's air in your spring cleaning activities. So what does that mean? Well, I don't know about you, but when I even clean my office or dust, I have to have my mini split on in my office. There is no windows here. But if you're in a room with windows, open the windows let some fresh air in while you're doing your spring cleaning. Now I'm not talking about leaving it open, you know, all night long, but while you're cleaning, while you're Dusting, open the window, let the fresh air in. Let the bad stuff out. Let the fresh air in. It will be fine. Another thing is switching to fragrance free cleaning products, including laundry detergent, dish soap. I know for me, I'm very sensitive to smell. So detergent, soap, all this stuff at home for me is without fragrance. I'm not big. I don't like smells too often. So that's one of the things that, you know, I'm really particular about. Even my hand lotion, even my hand lotion is fragrance free. So switch over to fragrance free and cleaning products. Lawn detergent, dish soap, as much as you possibly can. That's something you don't need in the indoor air unless you can help it. Another one. Number three, get more houseplants to help naturally remove toxins in the air. That's true. Believe it or not, houseplants can actually help your indoor air. Not just make everything look pretty and nice, but it can also help with your indoor air. Number four, have your ducts cleaned by a professional. This is something we can do for you. Our duct cleaning ducts in packages. They're very popular. Homeowners love them. No one's, no one's ever called me back and said, you know what, Derek? I really wish I didn't get that duct ceiling duct cleaning thing you guys came and did for us. I really, really wish I didn't do that. That doesn't happen because it works. Next, switch out your heavy curtains and rugs for ones with thinner fabric as they capture less dust. Now we're leaving the winter time, we're going to the spring, going to the summer. Get rid of those heavy curtains, dark curtains, get rid of those rugs because they will capture less dust the thinner they are. So as you go into cooling season, you want those thinner fabrics around you. Another one, huge one. Replace your air filters. I'm laughing because I say it so often. Replace your air filters, I cannot tell you is one of the most critical things you can do yourself. Your system is replacing your air filters and checking them every single month. Next, organize your coat closet and use it. The more you wear your jacket or other outdoor clothes throughout the house, the more outdoor allergens you're spreading inside. Organize that closet and get rid of the stuff you're not using. Make room for the stuff you are using. Get rid of the stuff you're not using. Make room for the stuff you are using. But if you have any questions on any of these things or want to look at duct cleaning or having your system serviced with the Summer Cool Spectacular. You can go to Simmons. One hour Commons, one hour Comm, and we'll be glad to help you out.
