I am guilty of hibernating in my home, especially during the week and I forget how important it is to get fresh air. The air inside of your home can easily become contaminated. I know you probably think that the air inside of your home is safe, think again. There are a number of things that can pollute indoor air without you even realizing it. Here are some signs and symptoms of indoor air quality problems:

• you often feel ill when you are at home and improve when you are away
• visible problems such as extra dirt around heating or cooling vents or on your doors
• the air in your home is stagnant
• visible mold around your home
• humid air that produces condensation, especially on windows
• visible damage to your chimney or flue
• newer homes are made to be super energy efficient but you don't want to have a home that is too tight
• noticed changes in your health after a recent renovation or upgrade to your home
• the air in your home smells old or stuffy
• there is an odor in your air that you can't get rid of despite your efforts.

Today, I wanted to share with you 13 easy ways to improve the air quality in your home.

Clean Up

I know that it can be tempting to put off doing the chores but putting them off can have unpleasant consequences including icky smells in your house. Plus, getting the chores done is a great way to get moving too. A clean home also makes you feel better too.

Declutter

The more stuff that you have in your home the more surface area that it is for the dust to hide. Dust can cause problems with your allergies and it makes the overall house look messy.

Take Care of Any Mold Problems Quickly

Mold can cause you to become ill without you even realizing it. Always clean up standing water and any mold build-up that you see in the bathroom or kitchen. If you think you have mold in your air ducts or in the walls of your home, you should seek professional help to remove it.

Tune Up Your A/C and Furnace

Call your a/c repair man twice a year to do a tune-up on your a/c and furnace. Not only will a tune-up ensure that your unit is in good working condition but it will also improve the efficiency which will help save you some money on your electric bill. A tune-up also helps remove dust and debris that has built up in your system. Removing the dust and debris will help you breathe easier. I personally purchase a maintenance agreement for my hvac system. The agreement takes care of both tunes ups. Plus, it helps prevent future problems which could cause your system to temporarily fail.

Change Your Air Filter

Don't forget to change your air filter on a regular basis too. A dirty air filter can reduce the airflow in your home and make your air conditioner work harder to cool your home. Plus, a dirty filter increases the number of allergens and dust in your home.

Add Indoor Plants

You can add a few indoor plants to help remove some of the carbon dioxides in your home. Opt for low-maintenance green plants. Just be careful not to overwater the plants. Over-watering can lead to mold growth.

Open the Windows or Doors for a Few Minutes

Open the windows or doors for a few minutes to allow fresh air inside of your home. This will also allow some of the toxins and harmful chemicals to escape. If you have dogs, the frequent trips outside to potty should be ample time to allow enough fresh air inside of your home.

Use a Doormat or Ask People to Leave Shoes at the Door

Add a doormat to all doors exterior doors so that people can wipe off the dirt from their shoes before entering your home. You can also ask people to take their shoes off too. This helps keep dirt from being tracked all over your home.

Remove Carpet from Your Home

Consider replacing all of the carpet in your home with hardwood, laminate flooring, or even tile. Carpet tends to collect dirt, harmful contaminants like pollen, and pet danger. If you can't remove the carpet from your home at this time, make sure that you vacuum several times a week especially if you have pets. Don't forget to mop at least once a week too.

Quit Smoking Indoors

Did you know that when you exhale a puff of cigarette smoke you are releasing over 4,000 known chemicals into the air? Those chemicals are stuck lingering in the air long after you put out the cigarette. Plus, smoking indoors exposes everyone else to secondhand smoke which is just as harmful to your health. If you don't plan on quitting smoking, the best thing you can do is to start smoking outside.

Wash Bedding Frequently

You should wash your bedding at least once a week. During the night, you shed skin and sweat leaving your bedding a breeding ground for germs.

Don't Forget to Wash Your Pillows Too!

Did you know that you should wash or replace your pillows (not your pillowcases those should be washed weekly) every three months? Yikes! I had no clue until I looked up dead skin. Washing your pillow will help reduce the number of dust mites and allergens too.

Wash Curtains Often

Curtains in your home can attract dust and debris that is floating around in the air. You should wash them frequently to help reduce the amount of dust in your home. Don't forget the shower curtain too. Check for signs of mold on plastic shower curtains at least monthly.

After you have tried all 13 easy ways to improve the air quality in your home, and it hasn't helped you then you might be dealing with a bigger problem. If so, please contact a licensed and trained professional to help you determine what type of problems you have in your home and what you can do to fix the situation. Of course, if you are renting don't hesitate to contact your landlord. Your home is your sanctuary and you should be able to breathe comfortably in your own home.

For more content similar to this please check out IcecreamnStickyFingers DFW Parenting and Lifestyle Blog.

What do you plan on trying first to improve the air quality in your home?