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How to Improve Indoor Air Quality: 12 Ways to Clear the Air
5 minute read • Last update May 2024
12 effective ways to improve indoor air quality
Limiting exposure to air pollutants like dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is key to improving indoor air quality.
Here’s a comprehensive list of strategies you can use to reduce the presence of harmful particles and improve your home’s rating on the indoor air quality index.
1. Buy an air purifier
Air purifiers are portable air cleaners designed to remove airborne contaminants. They work by drawing in air and passing it through filters to trap pollutants. Installing an air cleaner can significantly improve indoor air conditions, particularly in areas with limited natural ventilation.
2. Change filters regularly
Regularly replacing the air filters in your home heating and cooling system will improve air flow and prevent captured particles from circulating. Filters on HVAC systems like air conditioning units are usually easy to self-maintain. You should also consider periodically replacing the HEPA filters (high efficiency particulate air filters) in your vacuum cleaner and air purifiers.
3. Clean bedding regularly
Sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers harbor dust mites, allergens, and other pollutants, leading to a reduction in overall air quality. Washing bedding regularly in hot water helps to eliminate contaminants and make your bedroom air cleaner. Using allergen-proof covers further reduces exposure, significantly lowering the potential for respiratory viruses to affect your family.
4. Avoid burning anything in your home
Using gas appliances and burning wood, candles, and other materials releases harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide alongside particulate matter. To mitigate risk, one option is to invest in an indoor air quality monitor. Regular indoor air quality testing is invaluable in providing peace of mind. However, it’s also wise to consider more energy-efficient heating sources like electric heaters and heat pumps that minimize combustion-related air pollution and health risks.
5. Don’t smoke indoors
Smoking is a significant health risk, and when it comes to indoor air pollution, tobacco smoke is a major contributor. It releases harmful pollutants like tar and carcinogenic chemicals into the air. To avoid poor air quality in your home, it’s best to smoke outside. This simple action can help maintain healthier air inside your living spaces.
6. Vacuum often
Regular vacuuming promotes good air quality by removing particles that accumulate on floors and carpets. Top tip: be sure to use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to effectively capture small particles and prevent them from becoming airborne. As for how often you should vacuum, experts recommend every few days in high-traffic areas and other rooms once weekly.
7. Check outdoor air quality
We know what you’re thinking: how can you improve indoor air quality by checking for outdoor air pollution? Many homeowners are surprised to learn how big a role outdoor air plays in indoor air quality. You can run an outdoor or indoor air quality test quickly and easily by downloading the AirNow mobile app. Designed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the app displays current and forecasted air quality index (AQI) readings.
8. Open your windows on good AQI days
On days when outdoor AQI readings are favorable, opening windows and doors can help flush out indoor air pollutants and introduce fresh air to improve ventilation. Natural ventilation allows clean air to circulate through your home by diluting sources of indoor air pollution and reducing their concentration.
9. Maintain proper ventilation
Poor ventilation results in inadequate air exchange, leading to the buildup of pollutants caused by indoor sources like cooking fumes, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and more. Using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens helps to improve air quality by removing moisture and odors and reducing the risk of mold growth.
10. Use natural cleaning products
Conventional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals. Making the switch to natural alternatives not only promotes clean indoor air but also contributes to a healthier home environment for you and your family. Look for cleaning products labeled “green” or “eco-friendly.” These typically contain plant-based ingredients and fewer synthetic chemicals.
11. Keep houseplants
Certain indoor plants have been proven to act as air fresheners by absorbing airborne toxins as part of the photosynthesis process. The list of top purifying house plants includes peace lilies, chrysanthemums, spider plants, snake plants, and aloe vera. Placing some of these in areas with limited ventilation can significantly improve indoor air quality test readings.
12. Control humidity levels
Managing the humidity of the air indoors helps to create a healthier environment for your entire household. Dehumidifiers can be used in damp areas like basements and bathrooms to reduce excess moisture. Conversely, in dry climates or during winter months, humidifiers can help by adding moisture to the air.
Sources of indoor air pollution
With the basics of how to improve indoor air quality covered, it’s time to delve a little deeper into the sources of indoor air pollution:
- Volatile organic compounds – VOCs are found in household products such as cleaning supplies, adhesives, sealants, air fresheners, and solvents used for paint stripping.
- Particulate matter – Fine particles of dust, pollen, and soot suspended in the air usually originate from outdoor sources like vehicle exhausts and wildfires or indoor activities like cooking and burning candles.
- Tobacco smoke – Even secondhand smoke releases harmful chemicals. This polluted air can affect non-smokers and smokers alike, increasing the risk of respiratory infection, asthma, and cardiovascular disease.
- Mold and mildew – Moisture buildup leads to mold and mildew growth, both of which release spores and mycotoxins into the air. Inhalation can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, and respiratory infections.
- Radon – Radon is a radioactive natural gas that can seep into homes through foundation cracks and gaps around air ducts, pipes, and conduits. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers.
Why it’s important to maintain indoor air quality
Most people spend around 87% of their time indoors, and it’s estimated that indoor air pollutants cause over four million deaths per year — most of which are preventable. So, it’s fair to say that indoor air quality is a more critical aspect of our living environments than most people realize.
Research continues to underscore the significant impacts of poor indoor air quality on health, particularly among vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Specific health hazards related to household air pollution include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Respiratory diseases
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Lung cancer
Proactive measures are essential in creating healthier indoor spaces conducive to optimal health and well-being.
How to test indoor air quality
Aside from the AirNow app we mentioned above, there are various other methods of conducting indoor air quality testing, ranging from simple observations to professional testing services:
- DIY observation – Use your senses to detect unusual odors, musty smells, or signs of mold growth. Look for visible dust accumulation, particularly around air vents and filters.
- Monitoring symptoms – Persistent coughing, sneezing, headaches, or fatigue may indicate poor indoor air quality.
- Home testing kits – Widely available from hardware stores and online retailers, home testing kits include instructions for collecting air samples and analyzing them for common pollutants.
- Professional testing services – Hire a professional to conduct a comprehensive assessment of your home using specialized equipment for pinpoint accuracy.
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