How to quickly freshen the air in the house - recommendations. Simple ways to freshen the air in the apartment How to freshen the air with essential oil

The ecological situation in Moscow is far from ideal, but few people think that the air in apartments and offices also poses a great danger: it stagnates indoors, which increases the concentration of substances harmful to health and dangerous bacteria and microorganisms multiply. The Village asked doctors, ecologists and designers what measures would help to improve the ecology of the house and avoid many diseases.

Is the air in your apartment really worse than outside?

Indoor air is on average five times dirtier and ten times more toxic than outdoor air. At the same time, most people spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Such statistics are given by the head of the laboratory of the manufacturer of the Potok Inter air disinfection system Evgeny Kobzev.

Stale air contains a large number of microorganisms - including those that can potentially harm human health. The main source of microbes is the man himself. “Pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and different kinds streptococci, and during breathing, sneezing and coughing - the causative agents of tuberculosis, various pneumonias and influenza, ”Kobzev comments.

Pathogenic microorganisms appear in apartments due to the fact that air conditioners, household air purifiers and forced ventilation devices rarely or poorly serve: for example, ordinary home air conditioner, if you do not change the filters in it, it can become a breeding ground for the causative agent of legionellosis, which in some cases causes a severe form of pneumonia in a person (up to death). Fighting legionellosis with traditional disinfectants is almost useless. You can only increase the resistance of the body, improving immunity, and prevent the growth of bacteria: clean the climate equipment in time, avoid stagnation warm water(for example, in water heaters).

Another type of air pollution in the apartment that Yevgeny Kobzev points out is mold: “From the surface of walls and ceilings (especially in bathrooms), mold spores can enter the air, which cause asthma attacks and exacerbate chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory allergy and pulmonary hypertension.

What are the sources of air pollution?

Dust

Dust is dangerous because mites can settle in it. Alena Glushakova, deputy chief physician for medical affairs, therapist of the MEDSI clinic in Khoroshevsky proezd, clarifies that ticks themselves are safe for humans, but their metabolic products can cause the development of allergic reactions, up to the development of bronchial asthma: “If you constantly breathe dusty air, then diseases are inevitable respiratory system (chronic diseases nasal cavity, pharynx, bronchi, lungs), inflammatory processes, headaches, the occurrence of irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes due to allergic reactions.

Automotive exhaust gases and industrial emissions

Penetrating through open windows they also pose a health hazard. Exhaust gases contain oxides of nitrogen and carbon, sulfur dioxide, aromatic hydrocarbons, lead compounds. They can cause respiratory and nervous systems, provoke the development of allergic reactions, skin diseases.

The smell of cigarettes

Tobacco smoke is harmful not only at the time of smoking: tobacco leaves contain a lot of oily resins with high penetrating power, which means that the smoke from them is well absorbed into clothes, upholstered furniture, curtains, carpets. Tobacco tar and nicotine accumulate in the lungs and lead to lung disease, exacerbate allergic reactions and increase the risk of heart disease. To eliminate the smell, you need to constantly ventilate the room, wash fabric upholstery and wallpaper, wash textiles, have powerful ventilation in the apartment or air purifiers with filters that specialize in retaining cigarette smoke particles.

Chipboards and fibreboards

Chipboard and fiberboard are layers of pressed wood that are bonded together with glue or various resins. Formaldehydes and phenols, carcinogens that increase the likelihood of cancer, are released from furniture made from this material. The source of carcinogens, according to Alena Glushakova, can also be laminate, linoleum, decorative plastic and cheap building materials.

In Russia, formaldehydes are classified as the second of five hazard classes, where the first is the most serious. Short-term contact with an object that emits formaldehyde will not cause harm, but a constant stay in the same apartment with it can cause skin reactions (irritation, itching, rash), eye inflammation, lethargy, frequent headaches, difficulty sleeping. At the same time, as long as the source of carcinogens is isolated, for example, chipboard furniture is laminated or veneered, the harm is minimal, but any damage to the surface will become a site for formaldehyde release.

Chipboard furniture emits formaldehydes and phenols, carcinogens that increase the likelihood of cancer

Carpet near the front door

From the street, we can bring pathogens along with dirt and dust. In 2008, the University of Arizona conducted a study: more than 400,000 different bacteria were found on the soles of shoes. E. coli, Friedlander's bacillus and Serratia ficaria are carried in large numbers on shoes - these bacteria cause infections urinary tract and respiratory infections. Chemicals can also be brought home this way: gasoline particles after walking in the rain, toxic fertilizers from the lawn, tar from asphalt, or reagents for dissolving snow from winter streets.

Mercury

This is a substance of the first hazard class (according to GOST 17.4.1.02-83). If you break a thermometer and at least one ball of mercury rolls behind furniture or into a parquet slot, then mercury in contact with air will release toxic substances. That is why it is important to completely collect and dispose of it, and then disinfect with a solution of potassium permanganate all surfaces that it touched.

About 80% of inhaled mercury vapor is retained in the body. The longer the exposure and the more volatile mercury particles entered the body, the more dangerous the toxic effect. Acute poisoning with mercury vapor is manifested in intestinal upset, vomiting, swelling of the gums. A decline in cardiac activity is characteristic, the pulse becomes rare and weak, fainting is possible. In chronic poisoning, there is a metallic taste in the mouth, friability of the gums, strong salivation, slight excitability, weakening of memory, and a strong effect on the nervous system.

Are popular cleaning products dangerous?

As a rule, when choosing household chemicals for the home, people tend to purchase the most aggressive products: with them, you can achieve perfect cleanliness faster. What you pay for by inhaling the volatile toxic substances found in cleaning and detergents: chlorine, phosphates, surfactants, triclosan and even fragrances and aromatic enzymes.

“Regular use of toxic household chemicals, especially in poorly ventilated areas, can cause headaches, various allergic reactions, lower immunity, and even provoke the development of cancer. You can avoid these harmful effects by choosing eco-friendly household chemicals and returning to folk remedies maintaining cleanliness in the house. For example, a solution of vinegar, soda, lemon juice, mustard powder, soap solution and similar products are much safer,” says Natalya Edel, chief physician of Verba Mayr.

What are the signs that toxic substances are present in the air?

Symptoms that should be paid attention to the quality of the air in the apartment include: headaches, sleep disturbance, nausea, peeling of the skin, an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth after waking up, dizziness, irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes. “But you should not panic at the first appearance of one of the symptoms: the state of the surrounding air is not the most common cause these failures in the body. First, we need to eliminate the more “popular” ones: malnutrition, stress, lack of sleep,” comments Dmitry Gornastolev, chief physician of the Medscan network of medical centers. But shortness of breath, heart rhythm disturbance, loss of orientation in space - these are already symptoms in which you can’t hesitate and you need to immediately call an ambulance. They may indicate a severe allergic reaction or poisoning with toxic substances.

Regular use of toxic household chemicals can cause headaches, allergic reactions and reduced immunity.

How to make the air in the apartment cleaner?

In the fight for clean air, you need to choose methods depending on the situation and the type of pollution. Vadim Rukavitsyn, eco-consultant EcoShopper, advises: if the apartment is located near a large highway or a large factory, install a filter on the valve supply ventilation and do not open windows in the room for ventilation. And if you use harmful paint, furniture or Construction Materials On the contrary, it is necessary to ventilate the room more often or purify the air through special household filters if the source of pollution cannot be quickly eliminated.

“Paints, varnishes, adhesives often emit benzene, toluene, xylene and other volatile organic compounds. Chipboard, some types of plastic and polystyrene are saturated with the carcinogen formaldehyde during the production process. At the same time, there are no unambiguously dangerous and unambiguously safe species. paintwork materials and glue - it depends on the composition of a particular product,” says the ecologist. Harmful substances may be present, but in a concentration acceptable to humans and not harmful, so when choosing, you need to pay attention to international eco-labels. Here are the main ones: Ecolabel (“European Flower”), Nordic Ecolabel (Nordic Swan, “Northern Swan”), the German marking Der Blaue Engel (“Blue Angel”), the most common Green Seal and EcoLogo in the USA and Canada, as well as "Leaf of Life" (Vitality Leaf), the main one for Russia.

In case of air pollution, it will be most effective to use quartz lamps (there are small home models) and ventilation. This is especially true if someone has been sick in the apartment for a long time. If the air is polluted with mold spores, it is necessary to establish its source and first of all get rid of the fungus. Also in this case, enhanced supply and exhaust ventilation and lowering the humidity to 40-60%.

If we talk about universal tools for purifying the air in an apartment, home purifiers and air washers do this task best. They differ in a set of filters, each of which is designed to eliminate a certain type of pollution. “The most common cleaners are with a carbon membrane, mechanical cleaning and an ionizer. To clean bacteria and organics, it is necessary that an ion-catalytic or streamer filter with quartz lamp closed type,” Vadim Rukavitsyn gives recommendations.

Partially secure yourself at the stage of choosing a place to stay. First of all, it is worth considering the presence of a number of major highways, industrial facilities and landfills. If we talk about Moscow, then the ecologist calls the west and northwest the cleanest, and the dirty - central district, south and southeast of the capital. In addition to having industrial enterprises in these districts, the wind in Moscow mainly blows to the southeast, so the dirt from other areas also . But regardless of the area, each specific house is optimally considered separately, taking into account the relief, distance from highways and railway, number of storeys, proximity to the park, communications, type of house, history of the area and other parameters.

Why green the area next to the house and ventilate the apartment?

To keep all systems running human body a constant circulatory process is necessary, which is carried out with the help of respiration: when oxygen enters cells, metabolic processes through which energy is released. Breathing air quality is of paramount importance, which is why it is so important to maintain it. Lyubov Bogdanova, respiratory therapist, head International Center the study and practice of conscious breathing, advises to green adjoining territory so that the air outside the window is as clean as possible. Tree leaves actively trap dust and reduce the concentration of harmful gases. According to biologists, in the summer a medium-sized tree releases as much oxygen per day as is necessary for the breathing of three people, and a park or grove near the house will clear a layer of air up to 45 meters thick from carbon dioxide - this is about 15 floors. It is best to plant chestnut, poplar, elm, larch, and from shrubs - lilac, acacia, dog rose. Houseplants also contribute to the purity of the air. To select a specific species, you can use the NASA list, which was compiled in 1989 based on the results of a study of plants that help in a confined space not only absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, but also remove some harmful substances from the atmosphere (formaldehyde, benzene, trichlorethylene). In total, there are about 30 plants on this list; of the most effective, with a complex effect, are common ivy, golden epipremnum, spathiphyllum, bamboo palm (chamedorea), sansevieria (“mother-in-law’s tongue”), bordered dracaena and garden chrysanthemum. Regular wet cleaning is necessary to maintain the purity of the air: moisture precipitates dust, cleaning the atmospheric air from its particles.

At the same time, volatile compounds of household chemicals and personal hygiene products are often the causes of allergic cough or nasal congestion, runny nose or severe sneezing, so it is better to choose natural remedies for cleaning rooms and body hygiene.

“Regularly ventilate the apartment: carbon dioxide released during exhalation is 1.5 times heavier than atmospheric air and it accumulates in an unventilated room. And try to spend as much time as possible in nature: it is the ecoflora that creates the most favorable respiratory mixture for a person, which the urban habitat cannot boast of, ”advises a respiratory therapist. The air cannot be made absolutely pure, but the person himself, by controlling his breathing, can minimize the harmful effects.

Nasal breathing is unique in that it provides humidification and purification of the air that enters the human body from outside. The mucous membrane of the nasal passages traps dust particles and other foreign particles, as well as viruses and bacteria. The special composition of the mucus neutralizes them, and the ciliated epithelium ensures their removal from the nasal cavity.

Life hacks and gadgets to help keep the air clean

Since wet cleaning is one of the most effective ways achieve clean air in an apartment, you need to create conditions for it: organize the storage of things, put clothes, books and utensils in closed cabinets and containers, leaving a maximum of open horizontal surfaces free.

Ideally, you need to think about the air quality in the apartment at the stage of repair: choose eco-friendly materials, advise Sergey and Veronika Kovalev, architects of Artbaza.studio. For floor covering solid wood or cork tiles are best suited: these materials are easy to clean and do not emit toxic substances. To paint the walls or the ceiling, the architects of the Artbaza studio use Japanese paints with an antibacterial coating and lead-free composition, and in the decoration they often use whole slabs of marble, solid wood, stones and minerals of natural origin - all these materials are natural and safe. Technical innovations will help keep the air clean and healthy. For example, an oxygen generator: by passing air through filters, it converts it into pure oxygen. More standard but also useful are purifiers and air ionizers. “In order to choose a good air purifier, it is important to know the volume of the room: we multiply the volume by three - this is how much the device must drive air through itself. Also, when buying, pay attention to the presence of several filters and multi-level cleaning," advise Veronika and Sergey Kovalev.

In addition to purification, the air needs to be saturated with moisture: then harmful particles will settle on the floor, and not be inhaled; moreover, the normal level of humidity is good for the respiratory tract and skin condition. The most technological assistants here are ultrasonic humidifiers. Usually they are equipped with a built-in hydrostat and are able to automatically maintain air humidity in a wide range (from 20 to 90%). When buying a humidifier of any type, you must definitely ask what area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room it is designed for.

Ten great (and 100% "natural") ways to freshen up the air in your home.

1. Start with the most elementary, but at the same time the most important step: remove the source of the bad smell rather than just trying to hide that smell with the help of others. Only after that use one of the following odor elimination recipes.

2. Fill the sprayer with a mixture of three parts vinegar to one part water. Spray this solution where you see fit (vinegar neutralizes odors on surfaces and in the air). Some housewives advise placing saucers with vinegar solution in places where an unpleasant odor forms.

3. Another unusual but proven way to freshen the air: open some packs baking soda and "strategically" place them indoors ( baking soda absorbs odors).

4. You can use natural aromatic extracts such as, for example, vanilla. Roll balls out of cotton, drop a few drops of extract on each of them and place them on saucers around the rooms.

5. Mix spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Place them in a saucepan and bring to a boil. The water will evaporate, and along with it, the air will be filled with aroma. This method is suitable for eliminating unpleasant odors in the kitchen.

6. Do the elementary "citrus air freshener": just cut a few lemons or oranges and put saucers with them on the table.

7. Add a few drops essential oil into a cup of water (Tip from KirovMama: try the fresh scent grapefruit, You'll like it!). And here is another tip from our reader: add a little essential oil to a spray bottle with water. And periodically spray the air. So you solve two problems at once: dry air (in apartments with central heating this is an eternal problem during the heating season) and bad smell.

8. Can be ignited aroma candles. Since we're compiling a list of eco-friendly methods today, eco-friendly soy candles are the best. Always remember lit candles, do not leave them unattended!

9. Plant in pots on the windowsill fragrant herbs: basil, mint, thyme. Listed "natural flavors" can grow indoors all year round. These fragrant herbs will help purify the air (and their leaves can be brewed for other purposes).

10. Use potpourri- natural air freshener in the room. Potpourri is a mixture of flower petals, herbs, fragrant citrus peels, and so on. Potpourri sets are sold in stores, but you can make your own by drying the ingredients you like and placing the mixture around the room on a saucer or in a low decorative vase. On a potpourri, to enhance the effect, you can drop fragrant aromatic oil.

A few simple tips to help keep your home smelling good.

1. If you use a fan in the apartment to freshen up the room, do not forget to wash its blades periodically. After that, not only will the air flow be stronger, but the fan will also work much quieter.

2. A pleasant smell in the kitchen will arise after you boil lemon peels in water for several minutes.

3. Many people are bothered by the bad smell in the refrigerator. Essential oils are very easy to get rid of. On a porous calcined clay stone or even on a piece of gauze, apply one drop of lavender essential oil and one drop of lemon essential oil and place on the refrigerator door. The smell will be much nicer. Don't forget to change your oils periodically.

4. Tea can also absorb odors. Put a few used bags in a regular jar in the refrigerator - and they will absorb the smells.

5. An unpleasant odor can come from the trash can. If this is observed, also use essential oils. After washing and drying the basket, place a piece of gauze or cotton wool soaked in lavender and tea tree essential oil (one drop each) on the bottom.

6. If there is a lingering smell in the microwave that you cannot remove, put 3 drops of lemon or peppermint essential oil in a bowl of water and heat it in the microwave for 3 minutes.

7. The toilet is the most problematic area in the house in terms of aromatization. But even this problem can be easily dealt with. To avoid using breathable aerosols, replace them with essential oils. Place two or three small aroma stones the size of cookies in the toilet on a shelf. Put a few drops of essential oils of pine, lavender or ylang-ylang on them. Renew your fragrance every week. After that, your toilet will be filled with a pleasant aroma and a healthy atmosphere.

8. Recently, it has become popular to refresh clothes during washing with essential oils, which, unlike air conditioners, are of natural origin and do not cause allergies. You can use two ways to scent laundry. Add a terry mitten to the dryer, on which drip 7 drops of your favorite essential oil (mint, rose, lavender, eucalyptus, or any other). Or you can add 3 drops of oil to the iron water.

9. The simplest and fast way to make the air in the room pleasant - add essential oil to a spray bottle with water and spray the room.

10. It is also easy to get rid of the nasty smell in the washing machine. Buy high-quality proven washing powder. Read the instructions carefully: manufacturers often advise you to pour the powder not into the tray, but directly onto the laundry in the drum. The cause of an unpleasant odor can be thick rinses or soap powders, which are not completely washed off and serve as an excellent habitat for all kinds of fungi. To deal with the problem, pour washing powder into the tray and turn on the “boil” idle mode or set the maximum temperature regime 90 degrees, depending on the modes of your machine. Drain the water, but do not turn on the spin. Spend a few rinses, then thoroughly wipe all accessible surfaces washing machine and air it out. Folk methods it is recommended to run an empty vending machine with water and citric acid for at least 30 minutes.

Pleasant smells can effectively improve mood. They can calm and relieve fatigue or stimulate action. Unfortunately, most air fresheners available in stores contain a lot of harmful substances. Popular scented candles are also not very good for indoor air quality.

But that doesn't mean you have to choose between smelling great and being healthy. We have a very simple recipe for eco air freshener.

You only need a few cheap and easily available products to create your own air freshener. Now your house will always have a wonderful smell, and do not spend more than a few rubles and get an eco-friendly air freshener.

How to make a home air freshener?

Prepare a spray bottle. No problem, you can buy it online. However, in the spirit of eco-however, we strongly recommend that you look in your repositories. Maybe you already have a spray bottle after some cosmetic product. It makes no sense to buy a new one if you can use the one you already have.

You will also need to prepare your favorite essential oil, baking soda and plain water. Pour a teaspoon of baking soda into a spray bottle and pour warm water. Mix thoroughly and add 5-10 drops of essential oil. Shake gently. And it's all. You can experiment with the amount of oil, depending on how intense the flavor you want to achieve. Nothing stands in the way to mix several oils and create your own unique composition.

The air freshener is best stored in a dark and cool place. Use whenever you want. Diffuse several times in the room and enjoy the wonderful scent.

Effect of essential oils on mood

Don't know which oil to choose? See how different smells affect your well-being.

Citric acid - stimulates, revitalizes and adds energy. Removes fears.

Grapefruit - improves mood, acts as an antidepressant, relieves stress and tension, reduces appetite.

Basil - relieves physical fatigue and improves mental health, improves concentration.

Orange - soothes, works as an antidepressant, relieves stress and improves mood.

Lavender - soothes, relieves fears and headaches.

Rosemary - stimulates, improves memory and concentration, relieves headaches.

Pink - useful in conditions of anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Mint - soothes, improves physical and psychological well-being, relieves headaches.

Verbena - improves mood, adds energy.

May 16, 2019 Sergey