8 Ways to Keep Your Indoor Air Healthy While You Stay at Home

 We’re all social distancing to keep ourselves and essential workers safe – that means we’re spending a lot of time indoors. And we mean a lot.

Before COVID-19, most Americans spent up to 90 percent of their time indoors. During COVID-19? Somedays it can feel like 100 percent, and for many it may literally be all day every day.

As so many of us are spending more time inside, it’s important to know that the air inside our homes can be more polluted than the air outside our homes. That’s why we’ve gathered our top ways to keep your indoor air healthy while you stay at home. These eight simple tips are easy, but come with big benefits.

Eight Ways:

1. Open your windows for at least ten minutes on good outdoor air quality days. One piece of good news during COVID-19? Air quality is improving in many areas from reduced traffic and commerce. Which means you might be experiencing more excellent air quality days! Check your area’s ratings and on good air quality days, open your windows for at least ten minutes in the morning and evening so that built up indoor air pollution can escape.
2. Choose safe cleaning products. We know you’re keeping things super, duper clean right now to protect your family. Remember that conventional cleaning products can contain carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens, and more that can contaminate indoor air. Choose MADE SAFE certified or make your own cleaning products to reduce your exposure to harmful ingredients. A DIY all-purpose cleaner is as simple as equal parts vinegar and water. You can even add a few drops of an antibacterial essential oil like tea tree, if you like.
3. Air out your home when you resort to using conventional cleaners. We know that many of us are breaking out the serious cleaning products right now. If you have someone sick at home or are an essential worker, we understand your urge to wipe and spray with conventional cleaners. However, because they can contain toxic ingredients, make sure to open up your windows while you’re cleaning and keep them open for a while when you’re finished to air things out.
4. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and vacuum often (or wet mop). Dust is an unexpected source of pollution in our homes. Dust can contain flame retardants from furniture and household goods, phthalates from household goods and personal care products, traces of pesticides or other harmful substances tracked in from outside when you do go outdoors, and more. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to suck up settled particles instead of recirculating them into the air. Inefficient vacuums can kick up pollutants that have settled instead of sucking them up, so make sure your vacuum is in good working order. If you don’t have a vacuum, wet mop instead.
5. Avoid fragranced products. Conventional fragranced products can be a source of indoor air pollution, contaminating indoor air. This includes cleaning products, air fresheners, candles, fragranced personal care products, perfume, and more. Look for nontoxic versions of these products that contain safe scents or go totally unscented.
6. Dust frequently with a damp cloth. Capture dust not just on your floors, but on surfaces. You can dampen the cloth with nontoxic cleaners or a little water. Using a wet cloth is crucial so that you don’t just kick up dust; you capture it. (We recommend using a cloth made of natural fibers like cotton, instead of a microfiber cloth which is typically polyester and when washed can release microfibers that pollute our oceans, lakes, waterways, and even drinking water.)
7. Properly vent your appliances. We see you Instagramming your newest quarantine kitchen creation, and we applaud your efforts to cook! But, while you’re whipping up your latest recipe, make sure to run your appliance’s exhaust fan to avoid exposure to particulate matter. If this isn’t possible, at least open your kitchen window (or a window in a nearby room) while you are cooking.
8. Support the ecosystem of your indoor air. Many of us are familiar with the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, but did you know that the “biome” of our air environments matters too? Look for products that work to support your indoor ecosystem. (We recommend Betterair’s MADE SAFE^® certified Environmental Probiotics. More below!)

MADE SAFE^® Certified Solutions to Support Healthy Indoor Air

AIR PURIFICATION
Betterair

• Environmental Probiotics – MADE SAFE^® certified probiotic formulations by Betterair seek to clear your indoor environment, including both air and surfaces, of pathogens, viruses, and allergens. The unique system releases Betterair’s probiotic formula that contains billions of “good” bacteria. The goal? To help rebalance your indoor ecology by encouraging healthy bacteria to thrive.

Branch Basics

• Concentrate – A versatile concentrate for everything from your windows to your floors and bathrooms.

Caboo

• Bamboo Cleaning Wipes – Multi-purpose wipes that are great for at home or on-the-go!

Meliora

• All-Purpose Home Cleaner – A one stop-solution from counters and sinks to tubs and toilets.
• Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub – Your go-to when you need to add a little boost to your cleaning regime!
• Oxygen Brightener – A natural bleach alternative that offers some oomph to laundry or cleaning tasks.

PERSONAL CARE
Shop for MADE SAFE certified personal care that supports healthier air.