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Improving Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

Handyman Services, Honey Do News, The Honey Do Service, Inc., Tom's Tips

HEPA air purifier running in modern living room

The air inside your home can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the EPA. Since most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors, the quality of that air directly impacts our health, comfort, and well-being. The good news? You can significantly improve your indoor air quality with some straightforward strategies.

Understanding Indoor Air Pollutants

Common indoor air pollutants include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products and furniture, combustion byproducts from gas appliances, and even outdoor pollutants that make their way inside. These irritants can trigger allergies, asthma, headaches, and fatigue.

Ventilation: Your First Line of Defense

Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining healthy indoor air. Fresh air dilutes indoor pollutants and helps control humidity levels.

Simple ventilation strategies:

  • Open windows for 10-15 minutes daily, even in winter, to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air
  • Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture and pollutants at their source
  • Ensure your HVAC system’s fresh air intake is unobstructed
  • Consider opening windows on opposite sides of your home to create cross-ventilation

HVAC Maintenance Matters

Your heating and cooling system plays a major role in air quality. A neglected HVAC system can actually circulate pollutants throughout your home.

Key maintenance steps:

  • Replace HVAC filters every 1-3 months, depending on usage and filter type
  • Upgrade to MERV 11-13 filters for better particle capture (check your system can handle higher MERV ratings first)
  • Have your ductwork professionally cleaned every 3-5 years
  • Schedule annual HVAC inspections to ensure proper operation

Control Humidity Levels

Humidity that’s too high encourages mold growth and dust mites, while air that’s too dry can irritate respiratory systems. Aim for indoor humidity between 30-50%.

Humidity control tips:

  • Use dehumidifiers in damp basements or during humid months
  • Run bathroom fans during and for 20 minutes after showers
  • Fix any water leaks promptly
  • Consider a whole-house humidifier in winter if air becomes too dry

Reduce VOCs and Chemical Pollutants

Many household products release harmful chemicals into your indoor air.

To minimize VOC exposure:

  • Choose low-VOC or VOC-free paints, cleaners, and building materials
  • Switch to natural cleaning products like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap
  • Avoid synthetic air fresheners and opt for natural alternatives like essential oil diffusers
  • Store chemicals, paints, and solvents in a detached garage if possible
  • Avoid smoking indoors

Strategic Use of Air Purifiers

While not a replacement for proper ventilation, air purifiers can supplement your air quality efforts.

Air purifier considerations:

  • HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger
  • Place purifiers in bedrooms and main living areas where you spend the most time
  • Size the purifier appropriately for your room’s square footage
  • Look for models with activated carbon filters to capture odors and VOCs
  • Avoid ozone-generating air purifiers, which can irritate lungs

The Role of Houseplants

While houseplants won’t purify your air as effectively as mechanical ventilation or HEPA filters, they do add oxygen and can absorb some pollutants. Plus, they improve your living space aesthetically.

Easy air-improving plants:

  • Snake plants and pothos are low-maintenance and tolerant of various light conditions
  • Spider plants are excellent for beginners and help remove formaldehyde
  • Peace lilies thrive in low light and help with mold spores (note: toxic to pets)
  • Just be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to mold in the soil

Control Dust and Allergens

Regular cleaning reduces the buildup of dust, pet dander, and other particulates.

Effective cleaning practices:

  • Vacuum at least twice weekly with a HEPA-filter vacuum
  • Damp-mop hard floors to trap dust rather than disperse it
  • Wash bedding in hot water weekly to kill dust mites
  • Use microfiber cloths for dusting, which trap particles rather than spread them
  • Remove shoes at the door to avoid tracking in outdoor pollutants
  • Groom pets regularly, preferably outdoors

Address Mold Proactively

Mold grows wherever moisture accumulates, releasing spores that can trigger allergies and respiratory issues.

Mold prevention:

  • Fix leaks immediately
  • Ensure proper bathroom and kitchen ventilation
  • Clean visible mold with a solution of water and detergent (wear a mask)
  • For large mold problems (over 10 square feet), consult a professional
  • Check for mold in hidden areas like under sinks, around windows, and in basements

Test Your Air

If you’re experiencing persistent health symptoms or want a baseline measurement, consider testing your indoor air quality.

Testing options:

  • DIY radon test kits (radon is a serious health hazard and the second leading cause of lung cancer)
  • Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every level of your home
  • Professional air quality testing can identify specific pollutants and their sources
  • Mold testing if you suspect but can’t locate a mold problem

Small Changes, Big Impact

Improving your indoor air quality doesn’t require expensive equipment or major renovations. Start with the basics: open your windows regularly, change your HVAC filters on schedule, control humidity, and reduce chemical use in your home. Your lungs will thank you.

Remember, every home is different. If you or family members have persistent respiratory issues, allergies, or other health concerns, consult with your doctor and consider professional indoor air quality testing to identify specific problems in your home.

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Each location of The Honey Do Service Inc. is an independently owned, fully authorized, local service provider.

If specialty licensing or permits are required to complete a project, appropriate authorized representatives from your local The Honey Do Service Inc will take actions ensuring state, regional, and or local guidelines are met and ensure legal operations.

Please contact your local The Honey Do Service, Inc. with any questions.

The Honey Do Service, Inc. will support a One-Year Limited Warranty, valid until the first anniversary of the date of project and/or service completion, on select project(s) and/or service(s) rendered. This One-Year Limited Warranty is valid solely on project(s) and/or service(s) completed in full by The Honey Do Service, Inc., and project(s) and/or service(s) paid in full by the recipient(s) of the project(s) and/or service(s). If the project(s) and/or service(s) are ceased by the discretion of the recipient(s) of said project(s) and/or service(s), or if the project(s) and/or service(s) is completed by The Honey Do Service, Inc., yet not compensated for the full amount of the agreed-upon, up-front price, the One-Year Limited Warranty shall be rendered nullified.

The Honey Do Service, Inc. will be notified, in writing, by the recipient(s) of the completed project(s) and/or service(s) within 7 days of first knowledge of any defect in craftsmanship completed by The Honey Do Service, Inc. The Honey Do Service, Inc. will be given first opportunity to promptly repair and/or correct any defects as a direct result of craftsmanship within a reasonable timeframe at the discretion and availability of The Honey Do Service, Inc.

This One-Year Limited Warranty will not apply to any project(s) and/or service(s) that have been subject to accident, misuse, abuse, Force Majeure, nor to any project(s) and/or service(s) that have been modified, altered, defaced, and/or attempted to be repaired by any vendor and/or individual(s) other than The Honey Do Service, Inc.

Under no circumstances shall The Honey Do Service, Inc. be held responsible for damage(s) that occur as a direct results of defective materials. No repair(s) or replacement(s) shall extended the duration of the One-Year Limited Warranty or any applicable part thereof.

Step 1: Request Your Free Estimate

Each project starts with a Free Estimate. Contact us by phone form 8:00 to 4:30, Monday through Friday - or use our simple web form at your convenience. 

Step 2: Schedule Your In-Home Visit

We will contact you within one business day for a brief phone conversation. With a little more information, we can determine if we need to visit your location to gather details or quote your job over the phone.

Step 3: Receive Your Fixed-Cost Proposal

If an in-home visit is necessary, we will plan around your schedule for the next available time slot. One of our experienced project managers will view the project area, take detailed measurements, gather your preferences, take photos or video as necessary, and present a FREE FIXED-COST project proposal to you. This will be an all-inclusive view of your project considering materials, timelines, and budget options. You will be fully informed and well prepared to choose The Honey Do Service as your project partner.

Step 4: Get Your Project on the Calendar

Now that you have chosen The Honey Do Service to be your trusted local source for home improvement, repair, or remodeling, we will schedule the necessary workdays around your availability and our next bookable time slot. Depending on the scope of work, material order, and our specialists’ schedules, this could be a week or more into the future. Our team respects your busy schedule and will show up on the scheduled day, on time, and will stay until the project is complete. Guaranteed.

Step 5: Master Craftsmen Complete Project

The day has arrived! It’s the scheduled date and time for Honey Do Service to be at the job site ready to get started. You’re more than welcome to leave us to it or to stay and supervise. Either way, we’ll make sure you’re as proud of the finished project as we are! Your satisfaction is our #1 priority. After all, your home is your most important asset, and we recognize that.

Step 6: Clean-Up & Final Approval

The Honey Do Service is a team of local master craftsmen dedicated to your satisfaction. Our specialists will complete the work assigned and are not finished until you are happy with the final product. Even after the work is complete, we honor a 1-year warranty on all workmanship for every Honey Do project.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Congratulations! Your job is complete, and we are so proud you chose The Honey Do Service. We hope this is just the beginning of a long partnership and that we will hear from you soon about the NEXT home or office project you have.
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