How About a Breath of Fresh Air at Home?

A Well lit and aerated loft

Isn’t it true that most of the time when decorating,we are more concerned with the colour of the walls and the general décor but forget about the quality of the air? Which, in my view should be paramount, because it affects our health everyday, all the time!




Unhealthy air can be as a result of different reasons from the activities going on in your neighborhood or the materials used to build the house, to the type of furniture, paint or drapery used when decorating your interior, or . So, it will take thorough and careful steps to eliminate that bad air from your home and general surroundings.
So, this week, how about dedicating some time to ways and techniques to follow so you can always happily breathe-in not choke (ok, I agree that may be exaggerated, but who knows? ) every time you walk through the front door?

French windows bring in more light&Air

Ventilation
This is key and the most important way of making sure there is a continuous fresh air flow to exhaust stale air

and bring in fresh one, enough light is also a plus if you want to keep out musty air. The ventilation system should be based on the home’s size, structural tightness, climate, and number of occupants.
So, to make sure you are not stuck with the same air, make sure all the rooms in your home have proper and enough ventilation from windows to doors, ventilators etc etc. French windows are elegant and can always be opened during the day to let in both sunlight and fresh air. Moving on, 'high ceiling/wall' ventilators should be in a position where they can bring in fresh air and this has a lot to do with the direction of wind and positioning of the house.

French windows bring in more light&Air

However, if you are 'renting'  and have no choice in the matter, improvise with fans to freshen the air. Use exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom when cooking and bathing.
For the Kitchen, an extractor helps keep air clean & crisp devoid of fumes and mixed up spices/aromas by sucking and expelling them out alongside any pollutants such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide (yes, all that is generated by a gas stove). If your kitchen or stove/cooker doesn’t come with prefixed extractor then you can always buy and fix one yourself, just above the stove.

Bathroom ceiling ventilation

For the bathroom, install good ventilation or simple fans will do, just to reduce condensation that can lead to mold growth.





Go Natural 

Azalea, air purifying flower

Wait, before you go all native and green around your house, be sure to find out what gas the plant uses to 'breathe'..yeah, most of them are cuties but trust me when I say they are slowly but surely robbing you of your oxygen and life! So, instead enlist the help of a professional who will educate you on what plants and flowers to grow, the ones that are co-existent. These types of plants actually help simply because they take in what you breathe out, hence purifying the air around you as opposed to those that use oxygen to thrive. Ref to my article about Ref to my article: Air Purifying Plants for Your Home


For those of you who enjoy gardening, be vigilant so as not to transfer toxins from the garden to your house. You can also opt for natural/organic fertilizers and pesticides. If however have to use these products in say your flower or vegetable garden, be sure to remove your shoes/gloves before entering the house.  



To be extra safe, shower immediately and follow that by separately washing the clothes you were wearing while gardening.


                                                                        

Control dust
This may sound like a real task given the kind of environment and weather in this country and African Continent as a whole, but a little effort here and there will go a long way in ensuring the air in your homes is kept fresh. One might say to keep out dust in most parts of Uganda would mean closing all doors and windows at all times, but don’t despair, it can be done otherwise.

Start by avoiding heavily textured draperies and blinds, which tend to attract and collect dust. So,  instead choose easy-to-clean and light drapery, like flat-weave cotton and linen fabrics. It’s best to keep collectables and hard to clean accessories behind closed doors and if you have to, display them behind see through glass. Regular dusting is a must, at least in Uganda!. Make sure to use a dry cotton cloth for better results.
 

Mind your building materials
                                                                            
For instance when choosing your floor materials, consider replacing carpet with easy-to-keep-clean flooring, such as hardwood, tile, linoleum, bamboo, or cork. When installing a new carpet, air the room out by opening up the windows and using fans. Do this thoroughly for 48 to 72 hours following installation to allow any emissions to dissipate.
Some types of wood furniture frames, plywood flooring and medium-density fibre board cabinetry contain urea-formaldehyde (UF), which releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands.
Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings. Release of VOCs decreases over time, but provide plenty of ventilation for 48-72 hours if you have new products containing UF in your home.
More so, always try to use low-VOC paint.

If sealing wood or painting, choose products that emit low or no VOCs. Low-toxic, low-odour, water-base adhesives are the best choices because they emit fewer fumes and quickly stop releasing chemicals. Check labels to learn whether the paint is low-VOC.
And there you have it! The air is definitely going to be ‘fresher’ than before and maybe that will mean less visits to your GP!

XOXO  Pamela.

 CLICK HERE For the published version of this article in The Daily Monitor Newspaper