Air Quality in Office Buildings
We talk a lot about pollution outdoors, but we don’t spend that much time thinking about our indoor air quality, which is almost always much more polluted than outdoor air. Things like dust, tobacco smoke, mildew, mold, poor airflow, lack of ventilation, and pest infestations all contribute pollutants to indoor air. Poor air quality can cause headaches, asthma flareups, nausea, and other health issues.
Since we spend the majority of our time at work, the air we breathe there matters a lot. Here are a few things you can do to purify the air for a happier, healthier, more productive workplace.
Keep Houseplants
Plants are natural air filters. Keeping houseplants around is a great way to clean the air, plus they make any space feel more welcoming. All plants filter the air, but some are more effective than others. Some of the best houseplants for better air quality include peace lilies, philodendron, ferns, and aloe.
Don’t let your workplace plants become part of the problem, though. Leaves are a prime collection spot for dust, so wipe down the leaves of your plants with a dry cloth regularly or use a duster on them.
Go Scent-Free
You may think that using air fresheners would be a good way to purify the air, but most commercial air freshening products are full of chemicals that just add more unnecessary junk to the air. The best way to keep air clean and fresh is to reduce the amount of synthetic fragrances you use around the office. If you want to have a pleasant scent in your space, stick to using 100% pure essential oils as these are naturally derived and do not contain harmful pollutants.
Anago uses only green cleaning products which do not contain harmful chemicals. Learn more!
Promote Air Flow
Proper air circulation is essential for air quality. If possible, open your windows and doors regularly to create a cross draft and get fresh air flowing through your workplace. If you can’t let any outdoor air in, invest in a few fans and position them at opposite ends of your workspace to get the air moving. Make sure your fans are cleaned regularly. If fans are left dusty, they will just blow potentially harmful particles around the space, defeating the whole point of having a fan to create air circulation.
Also, be sure that your ventilation system is regularly cleaned and maintained and don’t block air vents with furniture or other large items. Most air filters should be cleaned or changed every 6-12 months.
Keep Your Space Clean
Clean your workplace thoroughly and often to keep pollutants at bay. Pay special attention to dusting and vacuuming to reduce the amount of dust mites and allergens in your space. It is also important to clean up any kind of spills or liquids immediately—moisture leads to mildew and mold, both of which significantly contribute to poor air quality and can cause respiratory issues.
The best way to keep your workplace thoroughly cleaned is to hire professional office cleaners like Anago. You can trust our dedicated team to limit the amount of dust and other harmful allergens in your office and keep your space fresh and healthy.