What's Really in the Air You Breathe at Home?
What's Really in the Air You Breathe at Home?
There’s nothing better than the feeling of walking through your own front door. Home is your sanctuary—a place to relax, unwind, and feel safe with your family. You keep it clean, you make it comfortable, but have you ever stopped to think about the air itself?
We often assume that because we're indoors, we're protected from outdoor pollution. The surprising truth, however, is that the air inside our homes can sometimes be even more polluted than the air outside. Don't worry—this isn't a reason to panic! It's simply a chance to understand your home a little better.
The Unseen Guests: What are VOCs?
One of the most common sources of indoor air pollution comes from something called Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. That sounds scientific, but it’s actually quite simple.
VOCs are invisible gases that are released into the air from many everyday household items. Think about the smell of a freshly painted room, the scent of a new mattress, or the fragrance from a powerful cleaning spray. That "new" or "clean" smell is often caused by VOCs being released.
Common sources of VOCs include:
* Paints and varnishes
* New furniture and carpets
* Aerosol sprays and air fresheners
* Scented candles
* Everyday cleaning products
While these items are part of modern life, it's helpful to know that they can contribute to that stuffy feeling or even trigger headaches and allergic reactions for sensitive family members.
Fresh Scents vs. Fresh Air
Many of us love a home that smells wonderful. A great way to achieve this without using chemical sprays is to go natural! Simmering a pot of water on the stove with a cinnamon stick, some cloves, and an orange peel can make your whole house smell cozy and inviting. It's a fantastic trick, especially during our long Manitoba winters.
But it’s important to remember that while this makes the air smell clean, it doesn’t actually clean the air. It’s covering up odours, not removing the tiny, unseen particles of dust, pet dander, and other allergens that are floating around.
So, What Can You Do?
Knowledge is power! The first step to fresher air is simply being aware of what's in it. You can start by opening your windows for a few minutes each day to let fresh air circulate and by choosing unscented or low-VOC products when possible.
These small habits can make a real difference. But what about the dust and dander that you can't see? The particles that get pulled into your home’s ventilation system?
In our next post, we’ll dive into the world of dust, allergens, and pet dander and explore how your home's HVAC system plays a central role in your air quality.