2 DIY Solutions for Better IAQ Over the Winter Months

When winter comes, your Ivy, Virginia, home might suffer from poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Don’t feel bad — it happens in many homes. You can use your do-it-yourself (DIY) skills to improve IAQ. Try these two DIY solutions for better IAQ between throughout the year.

Store Holiday Decorations Safely

You might love to fill your home with holiday figurines, ornaments and other decorations, but after the holidays, don’t just stuff your beloved treasures into cardboard boxes. These boxes collect a lot of dust, which can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms and promote dust mite infestations. Even if you store your decorations in an attic, basement or garage, you don’t want that dust to seep into your home over the next several months.

Additionally, poor storage can promote mold growth. As the temperatures and humidity fluctuate, your favorite decorations can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

To protect your IAQ and your holiday decorations, store all of your items in airtight containers. Plastic bins from a big box store work particularly well. You can also store larger items in trash bags, and then tie them off securely.

Keep Your Pets Clean

Animals stay indoors more often in the winter because they prefer the warmth inside. This means that occupants get exposed to more pet hair and dander. Bathe your pets regularly to keep them clean and brush their coats thoroughly to remove loose hair and dander. It is also a good idea to vacuum, mop and dust more often to remove hair from surfaces in your home.

Keep in mind that your pet’s skin might dry out during the winter. Don’t bathe him or her every week, but stick to a daily brushing schedule. Cleaning more often will help keep IAQ under control.

There’s nothing worse than sniffling, sneezing and coughing through the winter months. Use these DIY tips to improve IAQ in your home. If you’re interested in professional IAQ products and services, such as an air cleaner installation, call W.E. Brown at (434) 295-1177.

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