The home office

How to ensure a good indoor climate in your home office

Although Coronavirus lockdowns are over and most people have returned to the workplace, for many, working from home is here to stay. In many organisations, there is a greater acceptance of working from home and many employees still work from home for a day or two a week.

Working from home puts pressure on your home's indoor climate because suddenly people are in your home for 8-10 hours more than usual, which automatically means more dust and moisture builds up. In fact, one person can release up to 2 litres of moisture a day just by sweating and breathing.

When you work at home, you probably cook more, take longer showers and maybe even do a bit of laundry. And the more time you spend at home, the more dust will accumulate in your home. Piles of papers and books in your home office collect a lot of dust.

Especially during the winter months, you should pay attention to your indoor climate when working at home. Many people often forget to open the windows because it's cold outside. Cooking, long showers, laundry and dust are all challenges that contribute to increasing humidity and particle pollution.

Indoor climate

The indoor climate in your home office affects your health

Excessive moisture in your apartment can cause mould, which can cause health problems such as irritation of the eyes, nose and upper respiratory tract. At the same time, mould exacerbates symptoms in people with asthma and allergies.

Poor indoor air quality can also cause headaches, concentration problems and make you tired and unrested - not very conducive to an efficient working day.

That's why it's important that you spend some of your working day creating healthy routines for yourself and your indoor environment to prevent discomfort.

5 tips for a better indoor climate in your home office:

1. Ventilate:

A simple and well-known piece of advice. Air out 3 times a day for 5-10 minutes. It removes both moisture and particles and is healthy for your wellbeing and indoor climate. If you find this difficult to remember, combine it with breaks. Schedule regular breaks in your working day where you air out.

2. Make sure there is a window in the room:

Always choose an office space in your home that has a window. Not only does it make it easier for you to air out, but daylight is also important for your wellbeing because daylight controls your circadian rhythm.

3. Keep the door open:

Keep the door to your workspace open for better airflow.

4. Keep your workspace clean:

Too much dust in your home can bother your mucous membranes. Prevent dust by cleaning a couple of times a week and make sure paper, books and other equipment are stored in cupboards and drawers. In addition, use eco-labelled, fragrance-free cleaning products as this is best for your health.