What can i do to improve air quality in my basement apartment?

Question:I just bought a dehumidifier 'cause that's what evryone told me to do, but the machine read 27% humidity, so the reality It's not working cause normal humidty levels are btwn. 40-60%.What other options do i have 'cause every morning I wake-up I feel dizzy, my nasal passage is dry, but my mouth has a gucky texture to it around the gums, ...and yes I brush my teeth.I just feel the air quality stinks and feel too exhausted every morning.Do air purifiers and all those things work?

Answers:
Here's my advice...

Get rid of all the dust/dirt. Dust mites are a major source of allergies. I'd set aside one day to do a major cleaning. From top to bottom dust everything with a damp clean cloth. Finish by vacuuming thoroughly - even vacuum the mattresses and any couches/chairs. Also change bedsheets and wash blankets and curtains. Even wash any window blinds. Doing all this in one day prevents you from just moving the dust from one place to another.

Then purchase dust mite covers for your pillows and/or mattresses. If you have any hand-me-down furniture that might be harboring dust mites, consider getting rid of it.

Another thing to purchase are the allergy type vacuum bags. Change out your old bag and use these from now on. If you don't have a good vac.I'd invest more in that than an air purifier. Since an air purifier changes the electric charge in dust particles..which means they are heavier and fall to the ground and unless you vac them up, then they are still in your apt.

See if you can borrow an air purifier. Alpine Air and similar multi-level marketing companies have people selling them and will let you borrow it to see if it works. Then if it works you can always shop around for something cheaper. But remember you get what you pay for.

Also, while you are out buy a several spider plants. They are excellent for cleaning the air. I'd hang them from one or two corners of each room. ... especially your bedroom. They are hardy and easily cared for.

You may also try the fabric spray called Fabreze Allergen reducer...but only after your place is clean.

Plan on vacuuming daily if you can.at least hit the high traffic areas.

Change your laundry soap to a an allergy-free one.

You may also want to steam clean your carpet.costs around $20 for 24 hour rental.

Drinking lots of clean water helps too.. especially if you are dehydrated. (I think your dehumidifier IS working...you said it read 27% from what it was normally at 40-60%...so it reduced humidity at least 13%.

One more thing to buy is a tongue scraper.they have them with toothbrushes in most stores.

Good Luck.