Take a Deep Breath: Dorm Room Essentials for Improved Indoor Air Quality
For students, back on campus means back to sleep deprivation, back to roomies, back to coughs, colds and germs.
As parents of college-bound kids, you have your hands full. As college-bound adults, you also have your hands full! But no matter who you are, good health is key to a great experience and making campus life go smoother. We already know that dorm room air purifiers can:
- Remove allergens
- Filter harmful chemicals
- Lessen pet dander and dust
- Remove mold spores from the air
- Help with asthma
- Remove airborne disease (like Covid)
The simple fact is, when you’re healthy, you’re happy. You’re productive. You have more energy—you’re vibrant. By creating a healthful living environment, you can take a giant step towards an enriching collegiate experience, one filled with meaningful learning experiences, epic soul-searching journeys, newfound passions—and at the very least, a passing grade in oceanography.
Let’s dive into some ways you can turn dorm life into the good life with some dorm room essentials. But before we do, here’s one last quick bit of advice: Don’t take classes before 9 a.m.—there’s nothing that can save you from that horror.
Oxygenating Plants
Indoor plants not only look great in your living space, but they can also purify the air surrounding us. Through phytoremediation, plants absorb harmful pollutants and toxins. Then during photosynthesis, they release oxygen leading to a better balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air. By dropping a few peace lilies in your dorm space, you can improve air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory issues. Plus, you’ll have a new plant pet to care for!
Regular Cleaning
This is a bit of a no-brainer but keeping dust, allergens, and pollutants off of surfaces, carpets, and upholstery will keep your air cleaner. Break out the feather brush and vacuum and get rid of contaminants that can cause allergies and respiratory problems. By eliminating them on the surface, you keep them from becoming airborne and entering your lungs.
Added bonus: regular cleaning can reduce mold, mildew and harmful bacteria that can also negatively affect your immune system. But remember—always opt for non-toxic eco-friendly products to ensure you’re breathing clean air not just cleaning chemicals.
Dorm Room Air Purifiers
If you want cleaner indoor air, grab an air purifier. Coway’s line of air purifiers not only removes harmful airborne pollutants but can also filter airborne viruses including SARS-CoV-2. And if you’re looking for something made for the dorm room, look no further than the Airmega Aim, a 2-in-1 fan and air purification system in a single unit designed to free up space in smaller areas. And the best part—the Airmega Aim can cleanse the air in a 492 square-foot room in just one hour.
Living in a larger dorm suite or shared apartment? Coway has air purifiers like the Airmega 400 that can suck the bad stuff out of the air in any sized room so you can upgrade your health and well-being even if you’re living off spaghetti and carne asada burritos.
Proper Ventilation
Yes, it’s wise to keep bad air out—but sometimes the air inside is worse than it is outside. That’s because indoor pollutants and allergens can become trapped, leading to stale air and a high concentration of harmful airborne substances. By opening a window and increasing airflow, you can move bad air out while also dispersing airborne contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Beyond that, proper ventilation helps regulate humidity, lowering the risk of mold and mildew.
“But what if I live in a humid/wintry region?”
Exhaust fans and ventilation systems can help maintain proper airflow and improve air quality—just make sure to check with your RA before doing any major construction! (Or maybe just go with an air purifier).
It should come as no surprise that physical and mental well-being can have an enormously positive effect on your college experience. When you feel good, you have more energy, more focus, and you’re more prepared for the challenges of each day. By creating a healthful indoor environment inside the dorm room and inside yourself, you can get the most out of your education while enriching your life—and that may lead to you just being able to make that early morning class.
Learn more essential tips and tricks for improved air quality on the Coway blog.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
