Clear the Air: Simple Ways to Reduce VOCs in Your Home

Are you concerned about the air quality in your home? One effective solution is reducing VOCs. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are chemicals that can be found in many household products and can contribute to indoor air pollution.

Reducing VOCs in your home doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. There are simple steps you can take, such as choosing low-VOC paint options like Farrow & Ball's extra durable line (photo courtesy of farrow-ball.com), using natural cleaning products, and properly ventilating your home. In this must-read story, we'll share more tips on how to clear the air and create a healthier living environment for you and your family.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted from liquids, solids, and even household products that we use every day. They can cause short-term health effects like difficulty breathing and irritation of the eyes and nose. Long-term adverse health effects concentrations have been linked to damage to the central nervous system. The EPA defines VOCs as chemicals that contain carbon and can be found off-gassing from building materials, wood preservatives, hobby supplies, dry-cleaned clothing, and more.

Did you know that indoor air can have consistently higher VOC concentrations than outdoor air? In fact, according to the American Lung Association, some studies have shown levels up to 10 times higher indoors. Air filters are great places to start when it comes to reducing exposure to breathing VOCs. But building design teams also play a crucial role in making conscious efforts towards greener designs that reduce VOCs.

There are many ways we can reduce VOCs in our daily lives. Choosing low-VOC or no-VOC paints is one way. Opting for eco-friendly cleaning supplies is another. And when it comes time to replace furniture or flooring, selecting items made from natural materials like bamboo or cork can help greatly reduce off-gassing. By making simple changes like these, we can all do our part in creating healthier living spaces with lower levels of VOCs.

When it comes to reducing VOC emissions in your home, the foremost opt is to buy VOC-free or low-VOC products. Paint, varnish, sealer products and building materials paints are some of the beauty home materials that emit high levels of VOC. To minimize this risk, ensure that you're purchasing credible sources that sell plant-based certified products such as ECOS Paint, Green Design Center, Mighty Nest and Avocado Mattress.

Ventilation escaping through opening windows on a regular basis or running vented fans and air exchangers is also an effective way to get fresh air and push toxic air out. Air exchanges dilute toxin concentrated air with fresh air which makes the indoor environment healthier. Climate control is also important because humidity levels create dustmite control issues and can exacerbate medical conditions like asthma. Keeping indoor relative humidity at a frequent rate by using an indoor air purifier with a medical-grade HEPA filter removes particles as small as 1 micron from the air.

Reducing VOCs not only improves our health but creates a healthier indoor environment overall. By using healthy cleaning products such as those found at Thrive Market, avoiding harsh chemicals in our daily routine and opting for greenguard certified products when making bigger purchases make all the difference. Individual guides are available to help you find credible sources for healthy products while also minimizing your environmental impact.

Reducing VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, is important for both the environment and our health. These compounds can be found in common household products such as paints and cleaning supplies, and can have harmful effects when released into the air we breathe. But don't worry, there are simple steps you can take to reduce VOCs in your home and make a positive impact on the world around us. Keep reading to learn more!

If you're trying to reduce VOCs in your home, you might also like to consider the materials in your furniture. That couch loaded with foam could be off-gassing formaldehyde (I'm assuming you don't want to feel weak and dizzy all day). Before making a purchase, check the return policy – sales final doesn't leave much room for error. And if you're stuck with a piece that's off-gassing, try airing it out or placing some air-purifying plants nearby. Baking soda can also help absorb and neutralize home toxins. (Note: that king size wood bedframe? One word – heavy.)

"Reduce VOCs" refers to the process of decreasing harmful chemicals in the air we breathe. There are various ways to reduce VOCs, such as using low-VOC paints, limiting exposure to cleaning products, and improving ventilation. By reducing VOCs in our homes and workplaces, we can create a safer and healthier environment for ourselves and those around us.

Good news! You can reduce high VOC levels in your home with a few simple steps. First, ventilate open living spaces by opening windows regularly and infusing fresh air into your home. Consider using an indoor fan to help circulate air, especially if you have HVAC systems that may not be as efficient.

Secondly, create alerts for yourself when cooking indoors or using cleaning products that emit VOCs. Use a hood fan over your stove to control the spread of fumes and keep doors closed to prevent them from spreading throughout your home. When grilling outdoors, choose products certified low in VOCs and store paint cans, bleach bottles, and other chemicals in a shed separate from your living space.

Lastly, invest in air purifiers with active carbon and HEPA filters to help eliminate pollutants from the air. Avoid using air fresheners, which can be a key source of emitting VOCs. A smart home air quality monitor like the Airthings View can provide insight into the exact times and context clues for when these problems arise in everyday life. By educating yourself on monitoring and proactive intervention measures, harmful VOCs can be mitigated successfully.