It may not feel like a “tropical breeze,” but if you’ve ever walked into a room and have known instantly that someone just sprayed air freshener, you know that sometimes even the smallest things can affect a home’s indoor air quality. From your bedrooms to your basement, you can take proactive steps to improve the air your breathe—without reaching for a disguising air spray.

• While every room in your home collects dust, your bedrooms are prone to collecting both dust and dander if you don’t change your bedsheets, pillows and blankets as often as you should. Wash your bedding weekly in hot water, and consider allergen-proof mattresses and pillow covers. As with the other rooms in your home, dust and vacuum your bedrooms once a week.
• Bathrooms are a potential breeding ground for mold, which can trigger allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory problems. Run a ventilation fan during baths and showers, and keep the fan running for 10 minutes afterward. Scrub your bathtubs and showers with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water once a week to prevent mold. 
• Your kitchen is a magnet for bugs and insects, so don’t leave food out as an extra enticement. Pesticides are a double-edged sword: They will eradicate pests but can irritate your eyes, nose and throat and even damage the central nervous system. Use nonchemical pest-control methods when possible. And keep your pesticides out of heavily trafficked areas. 
• Your furry four-legged friends may enjoy sprawling out in the living room, but dander on furniture can cause respiratory problems. Keep pets off the furniture. In addition, declare your home a no-smoking zone, if you haven’t already. Also make sure that your fireplace is properly ventilated.
• Don’t forget your basement. Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace. Also consider a dehumidifier to keep your basement dry and free of mold.

For more ideas about how to improve the air quality in your home—the natural way–call the indoor-air quality experts at Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve proudly called Collin County and the surrounding area our home since 1978.