The air that we breath on a daily basis has a lot of unseen germs which can be harmful to our health and well-being. This is true irrespective of whether you’re in the house or outside with your family and friends. And with this in mind, one might be tempted to ask whether there’s an effective way on how to get rid of germs in the air. You see, the culture that we are a part of is laser-focused on issues of personal health and sanitation. Indeed, it would seem that nearly every health clinic has hand-wash units installed and there are even plenty of airports around the world where people are randomly tested for possible signs of flu infection. Such is our obsession with germs and pathogens that every supermarket offers a plethora of personal hygiene and domestic sanitation products.
The Germs You Can’t See
Despite all of this focus on germs, viruses, and bacteria, they really are all around us. One might take up the cleaning cloth and wipe down kitchen benches, tables, and doorknobs; however, did you know that there are plenty of germs and even mold spores in the air around us? We can’t see these germs and so they just don’t make an impact upon us even though it is entirely possible to become ill because of pathogens and allergens that are airborne.
Signs That You Have an Airborne Germ Problem
Given how prevalent germs and other allergens and pathogens are in our environment, it’s useful to understand the signs that you might have a germ problem in your home. Here are some key signs to look for that could indicate a problem that needs to be addressed:
- Dirty Filters: If you have an air conditioner or a heater, you will understand that each unit contains an air filter. This is designed to trap pathogens and allergens and prevent them from entering the home. The problem is that these air filters can become ineffective when they are blocked up with dirt and dust. In fact, you very well could be blowing more dirt and germs around your home when you turn the unit on in this case! The best thing to do is to regularly clean or replace these filters so that you keep them effective and minimize the amount of dust, allergens, and germs in the air.
- Health Problems: Are you suffering regularly from chronic headaches, asthma, tiredness, or blocked-up sinuses? These could all be signs that your environment is less than sanitary. If you are in an environment where there are lots of allergens and pathogens floating around in the air, you could be suffering from chronic health problems. Mold spores, for example, cause a lot of the aforementioned symptoms and are commonly found in the air around us. If you get frequent colds, you may even take longer than normal to recuperate because your environment is adding to the symptoms.
So, what should you do to minimize the incidence of dust, debris, pollen, pet dander, pathogens, and allergens in the air around you in your home or office? There are some surprising things that you can do that are also simple and easy to apply:
The cheapest and easiest way to clear out the air in your home or office is to open the windows for up to three hours a day. This filters new air into the interior spaces, flushing out old and stale air. It also gets rid of any odors that have built up. If you lack the money and resources for other more expensive options, then opening the windows in a regular basis and ventilating everything is a good start.
Air Purifier
One of the most effective ways to clean your home or office is to have an air purifier installed. These can be small portable units or models that cover the whole home or office. It all depends on how much you want to spend.
Air purifiers work by drawing in the surrounding air and then filtering out the pollen, dander, dust, pathogens, and other allergens. The purified air is then released back into the environment. In this sense, they work in much the same way that pool filters do.
Air purifiers represent one of the best methods of cleaning germs and allergens from the air of an internal space. They are also one of the more expensive options so it is worth bearing this in mind.
Living Plants
If the air purifier is not for you, why not consider the humble houseplant? Plants are the life and respiratory system of the Earth. They really are truly amazing! So, how does having more plants in the home or office minimize the amount of germs and nasties in the air?
We all understand that plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. While they are doing this, they also absorb toxins and other impurities that can be the cause of headaches, tiredness, and respiratory issues. As a huge bonus, more plants also look great in any indoor space whether it is the home or the office. Plants have also been shown to help improve the mood of employees in offices; this is an extra added bonus!
Oils
Did you know that certain essential oils can improve the air quality of indoor spaces? Surprisingly, some essential oils can actually help to kill some bacteria and viruses in the air. They can also help to boost our immune systems and make the air smell fresher.
Keep Your Space Clean
While it is not possible to entirely eliminate all germs and pathogens around us, there are a variety of practices that can definitely help to minimize them and their impact on our health. If you find that you suffering from chronic fatigue, sinusitis, respiratory problems, and long-lasting colds and sniffles, the chances are that your environment is not as germ-free as it could be. The good news is that it is possible to do something about it.
While the air purifier remains the best method of filtering the air, you can invest in some indoor plants, open the windows, and burn some essential oils to help improve the air quality around you. By applying all of these methods, you can seriously have an impact on your health and the cleanliness of the air around you.
