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You might not focus on improving your home's air quality if you're not experiencing symptoms. But the reality is, air quality plays a bigger role in your health than you might think. Some signs of poor indoor air quality include headaches, irritation of the ears, nose, throat, and dizziness, among others. Over time, more serious effects can accumulate.
Investing in a high-quality air purifier is a great step toward better air quality. Alternatively, a cooling fan that also works as an air purifier is another option. Experts recommend a three-pronged approach to enhancing indoor air quality: filter the air, bring in fresh air, and control humidity. Additionally, they’ve shared several strategies to improve indoor air, whether allergies are an issue or environmental factors are keeping you indoors.
1. Install an Air Quality Sensor
A good first step to improving indoor air quality is to check the current air quality, and continue monitoring it after implementing the steps below. Many weather apps provide outdoor air quality information, but indoor air quality may differ greatly, either positively or negatively.
These affordable sensors will notify you of unexpected spikes in indoor pollution, guiding you on when and where to activate your air purifier. However, experts warn that these sensors may lose accuracy over time, as certain environmental factors could require recalibration to maintain precision.
2. Eliminate Visible Air Pollutants
"On average, people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The quality of the air we breathe during that time (or even more) is vital to our overall health," explains Steven Haywood, MD, a former respiratory therapist and now a board-certified emergency medicine physician.
"The first step toward improving air quality is to remove any items in your home that are contributing to poor indoor air," advises Peter Mann, founder and CEO of Oransi. This task can vary in difficulty. For example, if you store cleaning supplies, paint, or chemicals inside, consider relocating them to the garage and away from your main living space.
3. Introduce Fresh Air
Mann suggests that enhancing indoor air quality can be as simple as opening up windows for ventilation. While this may not always be possible due to weather conditions, humidity, pollution, or pollen levels, if the indoor air feels stale, opening a window for some fresh air can make a noticeable difference when feasible.
4. Upgrade Your Thermostat
"A thermostat that can circulate air throughout your home when you're not using heating or air conditioning is ideal. Look for one that includes a circulation mode," suggests HVAC expert Joseph Wood.
Some circulating thermostats will activate your indoor fan for 20 minutes every hour, while others may allow the fan to run continuously at a reduced speed for steady airflow. If you have a smart thermostat, you can also turn the fan on manually from your phone when extra circulation is needed.
5. Use Bathroom or Kitchen Exhaust Fans
Turning on a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan might seem a bit excessive (and the noise can be somewhat bothersome), but this simple action helps improve indoor air quality by removing stale, humid air from your living space.
“This feature continuously pulls air out of the home, allowing fresh air to flow in and replace it,” explains Wood. If you prefer not to run the exhaust fan all the time, consider running it for an extra 20 minutes after a shower or when the home needs a breath of fresh air.
6. Keep Your Dehumidifier in Check
Moist air can be beneficial for indoor air quality, but too much can have the opposite effect. Ideally, you want to maintain an indoor relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent.
"Take good care of your dehumidifier by keeping it clean and running it through the humid season in your area," advises Wood. For instance, in the Northeast, April through October is ideal; in Florida, running a dehumidifier year-round makes sense to reduce the humidity.
7. Introduce Humidity in Winter
"Maintaining the right humidity level in your home is key to preserving a healthy air environment. In the summer, a dehumidifier may be necessary to help reduce moisture. However, during the winter when the air tends to be dry, a humidifier is beneficial. Whether you use a portable unit or opt for a professionally installed system, humidifiers are recommended to enhance overall air quality," says Wood.
8. Invest in a High-Quality Air Filter
"It's logical that higher-quality air filters capture more particles. But the downside is that smaller particles can clog the filter faster, leading to more frequent replacements," explains Wood.
He suggests changing your air filter approximately every 30 days (or every six months if you use a larger capacity filter). Keep spare filters available to ensure you're always prepared. When selecting air purifiers, look for models with activated charcoal filters, as they are better at removing toxins from the air.
9. Minimize the Use of Scented Products
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but Mann points out that your beloved scented candles, air fresheners, diffusers, and similar products may be negatively affecting the air quality in your home. Many of these scented products release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—including formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene—that can endanger your health.
Prolonged exposure to these harmful VOCs can result in headaches, as well as irritation in your eyes, nose, and throat. Various cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products also contain VOCs. It’s best to avoid these products whenever possible. When you can't, make sure to properly ventilate your home if the outdoor air quality permits.
10. Clean Your Air Ducts
"Keeping your air ducts clean is essential for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Look out for signs that your ducts might need cleaning, such as visible dust accumulation on the ducts or furniture, as well as an increase in allergy symptoms," says Hendrickson.
Since cleaning air ducts requires specialized equipment, it’s best to hire a professional. In the meantime, don't forget to clean and dust all your registers and grilles to maintain cleaner air.
11. Inspect Your Cooking Vents
"Whether you have a range hood or a microwave with a carbon filter above your stove, it’s important to ensure the vents are functioning properly. Clean both the vents and the filters regularly," says Hendrickson. This becomes even more critical if you use a gas stove, as carbon monoxide can be released into the air when the burners are on.
12. Clean and Vacuum Floor Coverings
"While carpets and rugs add warmth and comfort to your home, they are also a prime spot for collecting pet dander, dirt, pollen, and other particles that can get stirred up with every step. Regular cleaning is key to minimizing this build-up," advises Hendrickson. Self-cleaning robot vacuums can be an excellent low-effort solution for this task.
You might also want to consider implementing a no-shoes policy at home to reduce build-up even further. For those who suffer from allergies, switching to materials like alternative down for comforters and cooling pillows can help reduce exposure to allergens.
13. Take DIY Projects Outdoors
Certain activities or hobbies you enjoy could be contributing to a decline in your home’s air quality. Sanding, painting, stripping paint, and even cooking can release various pollutants into the air.
Whenever possible, move these DIY tasks outside. If that’s not feasible, ensure proper ventilation inside by opening windows to help clear the air.
