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Most people interested in improving home air quality know the basics, like not smoking in the home, but there is often more to be done. For instance, in Minneapolis, HVAC maintenance and repair can go a long way to helping improve overall air quality. Here are a few of the best ways to breathe freely around the home. Floor Cleaning Floors are one of the most common ways for pollutants to be transferred into the home. As members of the family walk outside and track anything and everything imaginable into the house. Prevention is often the best method, and if the whole family leaves outdoor shoes by the door and wears socks or slippers inside the house, that can go a long way to reducing the problem. Either way, floors need to be cleaned thoroughly and often. Those particularly concerned with air quality might want to invest in a microfiber mop and a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Reducing Humidity Moisture can create mold and mildew around the home, which are two things that it is dangerous to breathe in. Because of this, many people with overly humid homes will buy a dehumidifier, which is a good step. There are other ways to reduce moisture in the home, too. For instance, house plants should not be over-watered, leaky plumbing should be fixed, and the clothes dryer vent should lead to the outside of the house. Also, anyone using a lot of water for cooking, bathing, and so on should crack open a window or use an exhaust vent. (Homeowners should be careful not to dry out the house too much, though, as an over-dry house can create its own set of problems.) Chemical Reduction The more chemicals in a house, the worse the air will be. Anything with a synthetic scent, from laundry detergents to air fresheners, does more harm than good. These products may smell pleasant, but there are other natural ways of accomplishing this while using unscented or naturally scented products. Natural products like baking soda and lemon slices can help freshen the area without the unpleasant and unhealthy chemicals. Meanwhile, aerosol products should be avoided whenever possible. These include hairspray, furniture polish, and carpet cleaners. One thing that is beneficial to homes, however, is the presence of plants. Plants aren’t just pretty to look at. They also serve a vital role as natural air filters, with their foliage and roots absorbing harmful chemicals and releasing oxygen into the air instead. Those with children and pets should, however, make sure they aren’t bringing poisonous plants into the house, so it always pays to do a little research. Some common plant choices are spider plants and aloe vera plants, which are very easy to care for and a solid choice for beginning plant owners. HVAC Maintenance In Minneapolis, HVAC systems are frequently running through the cold winter months and even beyond. Unfortunately, an old or poorly designed HVAC system can circulate a large number of pollutants around the home. For that reason, every homeowner should take a look at his system and see if there are any problems to address. In extreme cases, it might be worth it to replace the system altogether, but regular maintenance is necessary at the very least. The filter needs to be changed, and the unit needs to be serviced in order to keep the system running properly. A working HVAC helps the home by filtering out or neutralizing particulates, eliminating some pollutants, circulating some fresh outdoor air into the house, and by maintaining proper moisture levels. If an HVAC system is not up to the challenge, it is time to take action and fix the problem.
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