2022 is here! Doesn’t it feel like you can breathe a little easier? In fact, doing so might make for the perfect New year’s resolution. We all want to eat cleaner, drink more water, exercise, and get enough Z’s, but what underpins all of that? Ensuring that the air you’re breathing at home is clean. Not only is this an easy and impactful New Year’s resolution, but it’s also one you can actually keep!

The Foundation of a Non-Toxic Home and Lifestyle

Especially as we’ve all spent more time in them over the past couple of years, many of our homes have become our sanctuaries. We step inside from busy work days or sitting in the smoggy haze of traffic, and we’re met with peace—or, as much as can be expected with kiddos around! We feel like we can take deeper breaths and let the load of the day off our shoulders.

Unfortunately, indoor air might not be as clean as we think. In fact, according to the EPA, oftentimes indoor air is around two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Worse, it can be up to 100 times more polluted—a risk that has become amplified by the threat of COVID-19.

As we spend 90% of our time indoors, clean air is the foundation of a healthy home.

Poor Air Quality and Health

Unfortunately, as many of us are trying to navigate the potential risks of the quickly spreading coronavirus, our outdoor air quality has gotten worse, too. According to the State of the Air 2021 report from the American Lung Association, nearly 50% of Americans—or 150 million people—live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution.

Not only is outdoor air pollution becoming an increasing concern, but the products and practices we use indoors are equally worrisome, and contribute to some of that household air pollution we previously mentioned. Fortunately cleaning up the air inside of our homes is easier than you’d think—and makes for one of the most effective new year’s resolutions.

Reduce Indoor Air Pollution for Optimal Health

Every single day, we need to take in a lot of air—around 20,000 breaths every day, or 3,000 gallons of air! To clean up the air that’s coming into your body, it’s important to tackle indoor air pollution—first by reducing the use of dangerous indoor pollutants:

• Be smarter with scented candles and air fresheners. Most smell-good products contain dangerous petroleum-derived artificial fragrances and paraffin. For a health-friendly flicker, choose candles made with beeswax or 100% vegetable wax, and are scented with essential oils.
• Clean up your cleaning habits. Many cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Fragrance-free versions are a better option, or use baking soda, borax, or vinegar instead! Always remember to ventilate, too.
• Ventilate when cooking. Whether you’re cooking with a gas or electric stove, cooking can not only release odors, but also particle pollution into the air. Gas cooktops can also release chemicals like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful pollutants. Always use your range hood and ventilate whenever cooking.
• Use caution when spraying and smoking. Many of the things we commonly spray—hairspray, deodorant, bug spray, perfume—can contribute to phthalate and VOC off-gassing. Stick with natural versions. As far as smoking goes, kicking the habit or keeping it outdoors could reduce indoor PM 2.5 levels by 70% or more!

To address things like hidden mold spores, smoke, VOCs, dust, allergens, pet dander, bacteria, and viruses, make 2022 the year of the AirDoctor! Keep it running 24/7 in areas you spend most time in, and get ready to tackle your non-toxic New Year’s resolutions—and so much more.

Whether you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, establishing a new exercise routine, or just want to read the dust-collecting books on your bookshelf, pure air and peace of mind can go a long way in making it happen.