How to Improve Indoor Air Quality: 12 Practical Methods

Welcome, folks! You’re probably here because you care about the air you breathe indoors just as much as we do. And why shouldn’t you? Indoor air quality has a direct impact on our health and overall well-being. When we think about air pollution, images of smoggy cityscapes might pop up in our minds. But did you know that the air inside our homes can sometimes be worse?

And it’s not just about avoiding pollutants. Improving overall air quality can significantly elevate our living experience, paving the way to a healthier life. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of easy, effective ways on how to improve indoor air quality. So stick around to explore twelve practical steps you can adopt to purify the air you breathe within your home. Ready to breathe a little easier? Let’s dive in.

Recognizing the sources of indoor air pollution is the first critical step in improving indoor air quality. Some common culprits of poor air quality include smoke (cooking, cigarettes, or fireplaces), chemical leaks or fumes (from household products, building materials, or outdoor air pollution seeping inside), dust, pet dander, and pollen.

Now that we understand the potential sources, how can we minimize their impact? Here are some steps to tackle these indoor air baddies:

1. Proper storage: Ensure chemicals, paints, and other volatile substances are stored safely away in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for usage.
2. Smoke-free environment: Enforce a no-smoking policy indoors, and maintain a clean fireplace or stove.
3. Allergy-proof bedding: Choose hypoallergenic sheets, blankets, and pillows to minimize dust and allergens.
4. Pet care: Groom your pets regularly, and keep them out of sensitive areas like bedrooms to reduce dander and hair build-up.

A well-ventilated home is essential for maintaining good air quality inside your house. Proper ventilation allows fresh air flow while pushing out stale, polluted air, maintaining comfortable temperature levels, and reducing odor.

Wondering how to enhance your home’s poor ventilation? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Open windows and doors: Whenever possible, let fresh air into your home by opening windows and exterior doors. It’s a simple yet effective way to improve circulation. Mesh screens can help keep insects at bay while facilitating airflow.
2. Exhaust fans: Installing exhaust fans in moisture-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms can help prevent mold growth and reduce lingering odors. Make sure they are properly vented to the outdoors.
3. Air circulation equipment: Invest in devices like air circulation fans, air exchanges, or heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) to improve airflow throughout your home.

Interested to learn how to ventilate your room effectively? Check out our comprehensive post for practical tips and tricks.

Maintaining a clean home environment significantly reduces dust, allergens, and other indoor pollutants to improve air quality. A little diligence and elbow grease can go a long way in ensuring fresh, breathable air. Here are some tips for dust and allergen removal:

1. Regular vacuuming: Vacuum your home at least once a week using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter to capture dust, pollen, and pet dander effectively.
2. Dusting surfaces: Use damp microfiber cloths to dust surfaces, as they can grab and hold small particles. Don’t forget hard-to-reach spots like light fixtures, ceiling fans, and shelves.
3. Cleaning fabrics: Wash your bed linens, curtains, and area rugs frequently to eliminate dust, allergens, and mold spores.
4. Floor care: Opt for easy-to-clean floorings like hardwood, tile, or laminate. If you have carpets, have them deep-cleaned periodically to reduce allergens and dust build-up.
5. De-clutter: Minimize clutter in your home, as it can trap and collect dust. Store items in closed containers or sealed plastic bags to prevent dust accumulation.

An air purifier (air cleaner) pulls in air from your surroundings, filters pollutants, and circulates clean air back into the room. They’re especially helpful in spaces where ventilation is limited or in households where someone suffers from allergies or asthma.

Let’s explore a few types you might consider:

1. HEPA Air Cleaners: These devices use High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters to capture small particles like dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander.
2. Activated Carbon Air Cleaners: Useful for capturing odors, these purifiers use activated carbon filters to absorb gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that HEPA filters may miss.
3. UV Light Air Cleaners emit UV-C light to kill airborne bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. They’re great additions for homes with immunocompromised individuals.
4. Ionic Air Cleaners: These use ionizing technology to neutralize airborne particles, making them easier to filter out.

Adopting a portable air cleaner can be a game-changer in pursuing better home air quality. Check out our blog post here for a list of high-quality air purifiers in the Philippines.

Humidity – or the amount of water vapor in the air – is pivotal in maintaining indoor air quality. It’s all about finding a balance: too high, and you risk fostering mold growth and dust mites; too low, you may be experiencing symptoms like dry skin, irritated nasal passages, or aggravated respiratory issues.

So what’s the ideal humidity level for a comfortable indoor environment? It’s generally between 30% and 50%.

Here are a few suggestions to maintain this balance:

1. Humidifiers: These devices increase humidity levels by releasing water vapor into the air. They’re particularly useful in dry climates or during cold winter months when heaters can dry out the indoor air.
2. Dehumidifiers: Useful in damp climates or areas in your home prone to moisture (like basements), dehumidifiers work by removing excess moisture from the air.
3. Hygrometer: This handy tool measures your home’s humidity level, helping you determine when to use your humidifier or dehumidifier.
4. Ventilation: Good ventilation, especially in high-moisture areas (like bathrooms and kitchens), can also help regulate humidity levels.

Your home heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system plays an indispensable role in maintaining home air quality. It’s essential to choose and maintain the right air filters to keep the HVAC system working efficiently and effectively.

Here are a few maintenance tips for your own HVAC systems and system filters:

1. Choose wisely: Opt for filters with a high Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) — between 8 and 13 — to capture the most particles without inhibiting airflow.
2. Regular replacement: Depending on factors such as usage and the presence of pets, replace your filters every 1 to 3 months. During seasons with heavy HVAC usage, more frequent replacement may be necessary.
3. Scheduled inspection: Inspect your filters for signs of wear, clogging, or damage. A visual check can often indicate whether a replacement is in order.
4. Clean ducts and vents: Periodically clean your HVAC system’s air ducts and vents to remove accumulated dust and debris, ensuring optimal airflow.
5. Get it serviced: Regular professional maintenance conducted at least once a year by an HVAC specialist can help identify and resolve concerns before they become significant issues.

If you’re wondering how to naturally purify air in your home, incorporating indoor plants is a great and appealing approach. Not only do they liven up your living space, but these plants also actively contribute to cleaner air by purifying it and releasing oxygen.

Some plants possess the remarkable ability to remove harmful particles, chemicals, and environmental pollutants from the air, making them an excellent addition to your quest for better indoor air quality.

1. Spider Plant: Known to remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air, spider plants are low-maintenance and resilient — perfect for beginners.
2. Snake Plant: A hardy plant that releases oxygen at night, snake plants are great for bedrooms and also filter out benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.
3. Rubber Plant: Efficient at removing formaldehyde from the air, rubber plants thrive in bright but indirect light and are relatively low-maintenance.
4. Peace Lily: Highly effective at reducing indoor air pollutants, peace lilies can filter benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and ammonia.
5. Boston Fern: With a high transpiration rate, Boston ferns can help improve humidity levels while removing xylene and formaldehyde.

Consider these top picks from our “Best Indoor Plants for Clean Air” post to learn more. Introducing these natural air-purifying champions into your home will create a healthier, more pleasant, and visually appealing atmosphere for you and your loved ones.

Tobacco smoke is a significant and often overlooked influencer of air quality indoors. It comprises thousands of pollutants that can harm your respiratory health, aggravate pre-existing conditions, and contribute to unpleasant odors.

Thus, it’s important to implement tight smoking restrictions in your home to maintain clean and healthy air. Here are some essential suggestions:

1. Prohibit indoor smoking: Establish a strict rule against smoking inside your home. That not only protects non-smokers from secondhand smoke but also prevents residue from adhering to walls, furniture, or other household items.
2. Designate smoking areas: If needed, set specific outdoor areas for smoking that are well away from windows, doors, or any air entrance points to prevent smoke from drifting back inside.
3. Support for quitting: Encourage family members who smoke to quit or reduce their usage. Various resources and support systems are available for assistance.

Enjoying a sweet-smelling home shouldn’t have to come at the expense of your air quality. While commercial air fresheners often contain harmful chemicals, DIY natural air fresheners can give your home a fantastic aroma without worrying about air pollution.

Here are some natural and fragrant solutions:

1. DIY Essential Oil Sprays: A mixture of water and a few drops of your favorite essential oils in a spray bottle can serve as a perfect homemade air freshener.
   Read more: Top 7 Essential Oil Diffusers in the Philippines
2. Simmer Pot Recipes: Fill your home with a delightful scent by simmering ingredients like citrus slices, fresh herbs, and cinnamon sticks in a pot of water.
3. Scented Candles: Opt for candles made from beeswax or soy with natural, essential oil-based fragrances. They’re a fantastic option for giving your home a cozy, aromatic feel without synthetic compounds.
4. Baking Soda Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda onto areas prone to odors, like carpets, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then vacuum it up. This natural deodorizer can help refresh and cleanse your living space.

To truly achieve and maintain a healthier environment, it’s worthwhile to consider professional air quality testing. This method offers a comprehensive insight into indoor and outdoor air pollutants’ types, levels, and sources.

Here are some key purposes and benefits:

1. Detailed Analysis: A professional test provides a thorough analysis of your indoor air, identifying specific pollutants like allergens, mold spores, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and more.
2. Health Protection: By identifying harmful pollutants, you can take corrective measures to prevent potential health problems such as respiratory diseases, allergies, etc.
3. Personalized Recommendations: After testing, professionals can provide specific recommendations tailored to your situation and needs to improve indoor air quality.
4. Peace of Mind: Knowing the exact quality of your indoor air can undoubtedly reduce your worries and help you breathe easier.

Mold is a significant contributor to poor indoor air quality and can cause a host of health issues, from allergic reactions to more severe respiratory problems. It’s essential to maintain a proactive strategy for mold control.

Here are some preventative measures and cleanup tips:

1. Control Humidity: High humidity often promotes mold growth. Maintain indoor humidity below 60% with dehumidifiers or air conditioners.
   Learn more: 7 Simple Ways to Dehumidify a Room
2. Ensure Proper Ventilation: Regularly ventilate damp-prone areas like bathrooms or kitchens to prevent mold proliferation.
3. Regularly Inspect and Clean: Look for and promptly clean up visible mold in your home, particularly in areas such as bathrooms, basements, or any places where dampness is prevalent.
4. Address Water Leaks: Fix leaks in your home promptly. Damp environments caused by leaks are prime spots for mold growth.
5. Professional Help: For significant mold infestations, seek professional help for thorough treatment.

If you’re a proud pet owner, you’ll understand that pet dander can contribute to home air quality issues. Although it’s impossible to eliminate pet allergens completely, here are some useful instructions to minimize their impact:

1. Groom Your Pet Regularly: Keep your pet’s fur clean and well-groomed through frequent brushing and bathing, reducing dander and hair accumulation in your home.
2. Establish Pet-Free Areas: Designate specific areas in your home, particularly bedrooms, where pets aren’t allowed, creating a dander-free sanctuary for allergy-sensitive individuals.
3. Clean and Vacuum: Regularly wash your pet’s bedding, toys, and belongings. Use HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners to capture pet dander from carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces.
4. Air Purifiers: Invest in air purifiers with HEPA filters, which effectively capture and remove pet dander from the air.
5. Maintain HVAC Filters: Regularly clean or replace your HVAC system’s filters to ensure efficient pet dander removal.

Maintaining high-quality indoor air might require thoughtful attention and continuous effort, but the health benefits are certainly worthwhile.

Take the first step today. Address one area at a time, and gradually build upon your actions. Start by implementing one of the suggested methods and continue to challenge yourself by adopting another. Remember, every step you take significantly improves indoor air quality, making your home a safer place for all.

Let’s breathe easier, live healthier, and create a more comfortable home — start now!

Beryl

Beryl, a Pharmacy graduate, combines her academic expertise with a passion for cozy homes at Hometoppicks. With 3+ years of experience in researching and testing household and home care products, Beryl manages related content at Hometoppicks. Trust in her meticulous nature and profound knowledge to provide reliable advice and product suggestions, ensuring your home remains comfortable and convenient. You can find more about her here.