Having a baby is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it takes a lot of work. Sleepless nights, constant attention, and lots of energy are essential components of the child-rearing process. Buying the right products for raising your child certainly affects your bank account, but you will do anything to raise your child right.
Every parent knows how hard it is, but one overlooked detail is the air quality in your child’s room. Here are the best ways to improve your nursery’s air quality.
Monitor the Indoor Air Quality Index of Your Nursery
The first step towards improving your nursery’s air quality is finding out what particles are currently in the air. Purchasing a device that can measure ultrafine particles (UFPs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and biological agents such as pet dander will guide you towards which path to take towards improvement.
Certain furniture such as mattresses or even the baby’s crib can bring pollutants into your home depending on the materials used in their manufacturing. After determining which compounds permeate your nursery, purchase an air purifier that absorbs those compounds most effectively.
Ventilate the Nursery and Thoroughly Manage the Air Quality
One of the most common pathogens in your home’s air is pet dander. If you have a pet, groom it regularly and tidy up your home so your baby doesn’t breathe in your pet’s dead skin and hair cells.
Another breathing obstacle is humidity, which makes air heavier and can promote the growth of yeast, fungus, and other harmful bacteria. Adding a dehumidifier to your shopping list is the best way to control the humidity in the room, but be sure to clean the dehumidifier daily for best results.
Keep the window open as long as you can to ventilate the room, and if your nursery already contains a ventilation system, add it to your cleaning routine. If a window AC unit is what you use to cool the nursery, check it for mold, especially if it is over three years old. Otherwise, changing custom furnace filters regularly and scheduling a complete clean will keep mold and other contaminants out of your home if you have an HVAC unit.
Be Mindful Of Materials If You Remodel the Nursery
Many parents are unaware of the level of VOCs that enter their newborn’s room after a remodel. Materials in paint, furniture, and carpeting possess harmful chemicals, and it can take up to 60 days after renovation for the room to reach a safe level of air quality.
Skipping remodeling all together saves money and avoids introducing these pathogens, but if it must get completed, using paint that’s VOC-free, as well as natural wood furniture and carpet made of natural fibers, will limit exposure to toxic fumes.
Overall, air pollution is a widespread byproduct of modern life. Outright avoiding it is impossible, but if you follow these ways to improve your nursery’s air quality, your home will be a much happier and healthier one for you and your child.
