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Natural Ways to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

Adults, school children, and lawmakers are working on solutions for outdoor air pollution, but indoor air quality has recently received a lot of attention as well. It has become obvious that pollutants, such as dust mites, chemical sprays, natural gas leaks, mold, and smoke in the air aggravate asthma and other physical ailments. Using chemicals to remove these allergens is adding to the problem. Natural methods do not exacerbate the problem and do an even better job of cleaning up pollutants.

  1. House Plants

    • Adults, school children, and lawmakers are working on solutions for outdoor air pollution, but the subject of indoor air quality has recently gotten attention as well. It has become obvious that pollutants, such as dust mites, chemical sprays, natural gas leaks, mold, and smoke in the air aggravate asthma and other physical ailments. Using chemicals to remove these allergens is adding to the problem. Find natural ways to do an even better job of it.

    Ventilation

    • Open windows when weather and outdoor air quality permit. Houses that are modified or built for energy efficiency are tighter than ever, and indoor pollutants do not escape as easily. Any gas appliance needs to be vented to the outside. This includes gas driers, gas furnaces, and gas stoves.

    Natural Pesticides

    • Use natural pesticide mixtures rather than chemical sprays to get rid of bugs. The National Institutes of Environmental Health recommend using simple ingredients. For ants, they suggest soapy water, honey and borax, citrus peels, or cayenne pepper. For cockroaches, they suggest soapy water, catnip sachets, or borax. For a more complete list of natural pesticide alternatives, see Resource 1.

    Moisture Control

    • Clean up any water spills immediately to prevent mold growth. If you have water damage, take care of the water cleanup first, then deal with any mold problems you might have. Clean up mold with a mixture of tea tree oil and water, sprayed on lightly and left to dry without rinsing.

    Cleaning

    • Clean bed sheets, mattress pads, blankets, comforters, and washable drapes in hot water to cut down on dust mites. Use a detergent that cleans naturally, using essential oils, vegetable-based formulas, and no harsh chemical ingredients. The Safe Menopause Solutions website has a listing of some of the natural laundry detergents.

    Smoke Elimination

    • Do not allow smoking in your indoor environment. Clean fireplaces often. The Utah Government Services suggests that you keep the use of smaller burning materials, such as kindling and small bits of cardboard and paper, to a minimum. They cause more emissions than you would ordinarily find from a fireplace that has been started quickly and efficiently.

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