Clutter? It Can Affect Indoor Air Quality?
Clutter! Is it really a problem? Can it really have an effect on our indoor air quality? In short, yes. By now we are totally engulfed in the new “normal” of summer. Kids at home 24/7. Doors opening and closing more times a day than you can imagine. Things being left everywhere going from one activity to another. And, clutter abounds (at least for a lot of us). Honestly, the fact that it can affect our indoor air quality is probably not even on our radar. We are, most likely, more concerned with the way it looks and the fact we trip over things more often.
One bit of research I found suggested that piles of clutter left undisturbed can harbor pet hair and dander, dust mites, pollen and even mold if the area is damp. These things are especially difficult for those with allergies, asthma or any condition where poor air quality contributes to symptoms. Quite honestly I was surprised at the number of websites with information correlating clutter with indoor air quality.
I found one site that seemed particularly helpful. It not only addressed the correlation between clutter and indoor air quality but it also gave guidelines for knowing if we have an issue with clutter, recognizing it and steps to deal with it. That all seemed very beneficial to me. So, here is the link for that particular site: http://fullercenter.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/default/files/Dealing%20With%20Household%20Clutter.pdf
I hope you find it helpful and that you are working diligently to keep the air you breathe inside your home as clean as possible.