How about a breath of fresh air at home?

Many times in our homes, we are concerned with the colour of the walls and the decor, but often forget about the
quality of the air, which should be paramount as it affects our health, writes Pamela Natukunda

Many times in our homes, we are concerned with the colour of the walls and the decor, but often forget about the quality of the air, which should.

Unhealthy air can be as a result of different reasons - from the materials used to build the house, to the type of furniture, paint or drapery used when decorating your interior. 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 every time you walk through the front door?

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. The 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. The 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.

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. An extractor helps keep kitchen air clean by expelling pollutants such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, generated by a gas stove. Bathroom fans reduce condensation that can lead to mold growth.

Go Natural
Be sure to landscape with native vegetation to reduce the need for pesticides and fertilisers, both of which are easily tracked into the home. If you do use these products, be sure to remove your shoes before entering the house.

To be extra safe, shower immediately after applying pesticides and wash the clothes you were wearing separately from other laundry. More so, be sure to surround yourself with plants and flowers that don’t compete for oxygen with you.

With the right professional guidance, you will be able to grow flowers and plants that are co-existent. These types of plants actually help in because they take in what you breathe out, hence purifying the air around you as opposed to those that use oxygen more.

Control dust
This may sound like a real task given the kind of environment and weather in this country, but a little effort here and there will go a long way in ensuring fresh air in our homes. One might say to keep out dust in 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 can collect dust. 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. Make sure to use a dry cotton cloth for better results.

Mind your building 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.