5 Tips to Purify Air Naturally in Your Home

As honey enthusiasts and friends of the bees, we are always looking for ways to live a more natural and organic lifestyle. In a world as digitalised and automated as ours, it comes as no surprise that the air inside the home can be more polluted than the air outdoors. Yet, purifying indoor air with anything that isn't 100% naturally sourced can feel counterintuitive.

Air pollution doesn't just come from cars and fast-food restaurants; it can occur within our homes without us knowing. From the dust mites produced over time in our mattresses to the formaldehyde exposure from everyday household cleaning products, one can never truly know the state of the indoor air quality of their home.

The good news is that there are some steps you can take to reduce your indoor air pollution, improve the air quality, and remove toxic chemicals from the areas where you work, live and play.

Read on for our top 5 tips on how to achieve indoor air purification the natural way.

How to naturally reduce your indoor air pollution & improve air quality

1. Improve your ventilation

This first step seems simple and straightforward, but many people forget to let the home air out or the bathroom completely dry after a shower, particularly during the cooler months. Ensure that you open the home regularly to fresh, clean air and use your exhaust fans to keep mould and mildew at bay.

2. Use salt & charcoal

Many theories exist about the potential benefits of using salt and charcoal in the home. This can come in the form of a pink Himalayan salt lamp which gives a natural orange glow and pulls toxins from the air, or as activated carbon and bamboo charcoal which can simultaneously absorb toxins and purify the air.

3. Burn Beeswax candles to clean and improve the air quality

We may be biased, but if there's one natural ionic air purifier that we would rely on, it's pure beeswax candles. Where the chemical residue from paraffin candles can aid and abet your indoor air pollution, beeswax candles act as a natural air purifier, ionising the air and neutralising toxic compounds and containments.

While stopping harmful chemicals in their tracks, beeswax candles have a slow burn, very little fragrance and the ability to remove dust from the air, making them perfect for the sensitive members of your household and your wallet. Click here to shop our range of pure beeswax candles.

4. Be strategic with your houseplants

Choosing the right houseplants for your home can be one of the most straightforward, effective, and charming ways to purify the air indoors. Particularly useful for those with respiratory concerns, houseplants can rejuvenate the air, and many require very little maintenance to thrive.

 Some of the best plants to have in your carpeted areas and tech-heavy spaces include the Lady Palm, the Peace Lily, Broad Leaf Palm, the Butterfly Palm, Golden Cane Palm, Bamboo Palm, and Snake Plant; along with many others (consider this your permission to buy more plants!).

5. Avoid using harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances in your home

Unfortunately, many household cleaning products are culprits for pollution indoors. One of the best ways to avoid air pollution inside is to lower the chance of it occurring in the first place. Many essential oils can be used in place of cleaning products, and there is a range of options on the market with lower chemical components. When shopping, try to avoid products that contain artificial fragrance, bleach, or ammonia, and when possible, seek natural odour neutralisation instead of air fresheners.

Why Air Purification is Important

Like most things in life, the quality of your indoor air will depend on a wide range of factors, and no two homes are likely to be the same. Factors such as living near a city, working from home, and having pets and people coming and going, will influence the air quality in your home.

The more air pollution we have, the more at risk we are of long-term health issues and exasperated conditions such as asthma and allergies. While we can't all live our lives frolicking along beaches and breathing in pure rainforest air, it's important to do what you can to get as much fresh, clean air as possible, even while indoors.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is created by inadequate ventilation and various sources that release gases or particles into the air.

These include:

• Combustion appliances that rely on fuel burning, such as gas stoves
• Tobacco and cigarettes
• Asbestos
• Newly installed flooring and upholstery
• Cabinetry made from particular wood products
• Household cleaning and personal maintenance products
• Excess moisture, i.e., a poorly ventilated bathroom
• Outdoor sources finding their way inside, such as car exhaust fumes

Many people won't notice the effects of indoor air pollution, and it is impossible to measure how much your home or business is impacted. People with pre-existing respiratory issues, or the elderly and children, are most at risk of experiencing physical side effects, including nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. These symptoms are treatable, often by simply removing the person from the polluted area or the pollutant itself.

Defend Yourself from Poor Indoor Air Quality

Prevention is better than a cure. With something as difficult to measure as indoor air pollution, implementing ways to purify the air before it becomes an issue can give you priceless peace of mind. We are proud to join you on your journey toward natural air purification with our range of pure beeswax candles. As an important part of your air purification regime, beeswax candles can also provide an avenue away from a common air pollutant - paraffin candles.

Beeswax is naturally occurring, and when used in candle form, it shines on the same light spectrum as the sun while emitting negative ions to purify the air and the body. With a wonderful natural smell and a lower tendency to drip, what's not to love about beeswax candles?!

Click here to shop our range or here to read more about our journey with the bees. As one of nature's best, most renewable resources, we think honey and beeswax are the solutions to many of life's problems, beginning with poor air quality.