Clean air matters alot to me. I am an allergy sufferer so I tend to stay away from dusty and dirty places. Even when I enter ‘moldy’ rooms, my nose tend to sniff a little. Recent reports say that rritants, not germs, may be the cause of chronic colds.

When the furnace kicks on, dust that has settled into the carpet, atop bookshelves and beneath furniture gets stirred up and cycled through the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor levels of many air pollutants may be two to five times, and in some cases more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. I used to worry more about sleep aids but I’m shifting more focus towards a cleaner room and house.

Here are some tips to help reduce indoor allergens and help you stay sniffle-free.

* To get rid of mold, clean the areas with bleach. Try a solution of 5 percent bleach and a small amount of detergent to 95 percent water.

* Keep a humidity level of 30 percent or 40 percent in the house to make conditions for mold growth less optimal. This can be achieved through the use of an automatic whole-home humidifier.

* Add a whole-house air filter to your furnace. A typical throwaway furnace filter traps only about 15 percent of indoor air pollutants. Laboratory tests show that whole-house electronic air cleaners, from companies like Aprilaire, can eliminate up to 99.5 percent of pollen, spores and ragweed. According to Aprilaire, the technological advancement of its filter combined with electronic components allows it to be one of the most efficient air cleaners on the market. It also requires the filter to be changed only once a year.

* To control dust mites, clean and dust more frequently. Use an airtight, allergy-proof plastic cover on all mattresses, pillows and box springs.

* Shampoo or replace your carpet or better off, remove the carpet altogether.

By taking these simple steps to improve indoor air quality, your home will once again be a safe haven for you and your family.

With the heat wave visiting our shores the last few weeks, the air quality is decreasing and causing some havoc to respiratory allergies. As it is, we’ve got an air purifier in our bedroom and I would need to invest in another one for our home office.

Air quality can affect your lifestyle and health without you taking note of it. Those with kids at home should pay special attention as bad air quality can lead to unpleasant outcomes for your child. My boy tends to get a sniffy nose when the air quality drops. This can be detrimental to those with respiratory concerns. Another way is to wear a mask when you are outdoors when the air is bad. Putting on a mask can also help to keep germs at bay when you are with someone who is down with a cold or cough. These viruses can spread easily from one person to another.

For the good of my respiratory health, I try to stay away from those who smoke. I read that there are electric cigarettes that can cut down pollution of the air. Studies have shown that 2nd hand smoke has posed more health risks compared to the smoker. In any case, a good air purifier is necessary for the house and even your car. It’s time to look into one if you haven’t.