Small changes for cleaner air inside your home
We often talk about air pollution outdoors, but what about the impact of air pollution inside the home? Get inspired by these tips for making some improvements.
Air pollution is one of the biggest health challenges of our time. Here are some simple changes you can make around the home to help improve air quality indoors.
1. Grow air-purifying plants at home. Even NASA research shows that plants are among the most powerful, natural air purifiers. Their study showed that plants remove harmful toxins from the air, such as formaldehyde, which can be found in cleaning products and furniture materials. Spider plants are known to have air-purifying qualities, are easy to care for and also pet-safe.
2. Ventilate when cooking and use induction. Use an extractor hood to properly ventilate cooking areas. An induction cooktop is greater at reducing pollution compared to a gas cooktop. If it’s not possible to change to an induction cooktop, you can add a small TILLREDA portable induction cooktop to your kitchen.
3. Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products. Household staples like vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice are natural, mild disinfectants. Swap shop-bought chemical cleaners for a homemade, natural alternative. Lemon aids the removal of stains and helps deodorize. Baking soda can clean oven spills and remove burnt food from pots and pans, while vinegar helps to unclog drains and makes glasses sparkle. Combine equal parts water and vinegar with a little fresh lemon juice to create your own cleaning solution at home.
“In some places in the world, pollution is five times higher inside than outside. Air pollution is a problem for big cities in general”
Nanette Weisdal, manager, sustainability range, IKEA of Sweden
Nanette Weisdal is leading the work on sustainability development within the IKEA product range. Lately, she has been working on ideas for cleaner air. The IKEA Clean Air Survey shows that it’s time to raise awareness and take action. “The biggest issue with air is that you don’t see it. When we are inside our home we believe it is safe, because home means safe,” she says. “As an individual, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless by such a huge problem. But in fact, there are many small changes that everyone can make, which can have real impact on air quality.”