The average home harbours several pollutants, many of them lurking in hidden spaces and impacting the health of residents. By removing out-of-sight air pollutants, you can instantly create a healthier indoor environment. With Electrolux’s first-ever range of air purifiers, you can enjoy cleaner air designed around your family’s needs.
To help Aussies better understand the connection between wellbeing at home, including good sleep and air health, we have teamed up with independent general practitioner, Dr Ginni Mansberg, revealing the connection between air quality and overall wellbeing, including allergies and sleep.
“Even if you manage to get a full night’s sleep, air pollution can decrease the quality and benefits of your sleep. When trying to improve the air quality in your bedroom, one of the most important considerations should be ventilation[1], especially since the immediate effects of bad air quality can include irritation of the eyes, throat and nose, headaches, allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation. While these are all treatable, it makes sense to improve indoor air quality even if symptoms are short-term or not noticeable,” says Ginni.
While Ginni’s personal takes on better air quality are good energy and laughs with the family, open windows and a high-quality air purifier are her recommended must-haves to start.
Here are Ginni’s five tips on improving indoor air quality in your home.
1. Open the windows
By opening windows, you’re letting fresh air in to improve your indoor air quality. Doing so in the morning and before bed at night, or when cleaning with toxic cleaning products, or using any pesticides is essential to maintain good airflow throughout your home.
2. Get a high-quality air purifier
Air purifiers remove ultra-fine dust particles, pollutants, bacteria, allergens and bad odours from indoor rooms, ensuring cleaner air and overall air health and wellbeing. The long-term effects of bad air quality include some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer [2], meaning you should take caution of your home’s air quality even if symptoms are not noticeable. The new Electrolux range minimises airborne pollutants even when you sleep with their four-step filtration system removing bacteria [3] for cleaner and healthier fresh air at home.
3. Be conscious of mould
Get mould detected and manage it as soon as possible. Spores are carried in the air and can cause health problems in vulnerable people, with conditions such as asthma, irritation of the eyes, wheezing or a blocked nose, if inhaled. If you are vulnerable to illnesses caused by mould, take extra care to ensure the best indoor air quality and seek professional help to remove mould from ceilings and walls.
4. Invest in a strong pet vacuum
If you have a pet that sheds hair, make sure you have a great vacuum cleaner and for best results, use it in tandem with an air purifier. Loose pet dander can be hidden all around the house and trigger allergies such as sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and shortness of breath in vulnerable people. Using a strong, pet-friendly vacuum is a great way to enhance air quality and wellbeing in the home.
5. Weekly family cleaning
Ensuring working surfaces like your kitchen benchtops are clean and sanitary is guaranteed to reduce airborne pollutants by eliminating accumulated grime, food-borne bacteria and dirt. Wiping down countertops daily is just as important as weekly dusting and vacuuming. Choosing one weekend day for the whole family to get involved in dusting cabinetry and surfaces around the house is a proactive way to minimise unwanted dust particles, especially in bedrooms.
References & Notes
1 https://molekule.science/how-does-indoor-air-quality-impact-sleep/
2 https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality
3 Tested for Legionella pneumophila, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marcescens.
