Indoor Air Quality Improvement Tips: Simple Ways to Breathe Easier

Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s actually much easier than it sounds. Thankfully, I discovered a few simple indoor air quality improvement tips that made a huge difference. I found this out the hard way—after spending a few too many stuffy afternoons in my home, I realized that the air inside my living space could be affecting my health.

From fatigue to sneezing fits, I realized it wasn’t just my allergies flaring up—it was the air quality.  I’ll walk you through what I did and show you how you can improve the air in your home too.

What Is Indoor Air Quality and Why Does It Matter?

Indoor air quality refers to the quality of air inside your home or any building. It can affect your health, comfort, and productivity. If you’ve ever experienced dry eyes, a runny nose, or fatigue in your own home, poor IAQ might be the culprit. 

Various pollutants like dust, pollen, pet dander, and chemicals from household products can degrade indoor air quality. This is why improving indoor air quality is so important not just for your comfort but for your overall well-being.

 Indoor Air Quality Improvement Tips: Where to Start?

Now that we understand the importance of indoor air quality, let’s dive into some practical indoor air quality improvement tips you can implement today. These simple changes will help make the air in your home fresher, cleaner, and safer to breathe.

1. Control Pollutant Sources

The first step in improving indoor air quality is controlling the sources of pollution. These are the things in your home that release harmful chemicals, particles, or gases into the air. By eliminating or reducing them, you’ll take a huge step toward better IAQ.

Stop Indoor Smoking

One of the most significant contributors to poor indoor air quality is indoor smoking. Smoking indoors exposes everyone in the house to secondhand smoke, which is harmful and can linger in your home for hours. If you smoke, make sure to do it outside to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

Use Low-VOC Products

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals found in paints, cleaning products, furniture, and even air fresheners. These compounds can easily evaporate into the air and cause a range of health problems. Choosing low-VOC or zero-VOC products is a simple but effective way to reduce indoor pollution. Look for paints, cleaning supplies, and other household products labeled with “low-VOC” or “zero-VOC.”

Avoid Synthetic Scents

Scented candles, incense, and air fresheners might smell lovely, but they often release harmful chemicals and particulate matter into the air. If you’re trying to improve indoor air quality, it’s best to avoid these products. Instead, use natural alternatives like essential oils or air purifiers with built-in scent options. These options are far less likely to pollute the air while still giving your home a fresh scent.

2. Improve Ventilation

Proper ventilation is one of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality. It helps to dilute and remove indoor pollutants by allowing fresh outdoor air to flow into your home. Here’s how to boost ventilation in your living space:

Open Windows and Doors

When the weather permits, open your windows and doors for about 5–10 minutes each day. This helps exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. Even if it’s chilly outside, this small action can significantly improve the air quality inside.

Use Exhaust Fans

If you have exhaust fans in your kitchen or bathroom, make sure you use them. Turn them on while cooking or showering, and leave them running for 15–20 minutes afterward to ventilate moisture, smoke, and odors. Proper ventilation in these areas will help reduce mold and mildew and keep the air inside your home cleaner.

Vent Appliances Properly

Certain appliances, like gas stoves, clothes dryers, and fuel-burning heaters, produce harmful gases such as carbon monoxide. To improve indoor air quality, make sure these appliances are vented to the outdoors properly. If you haven’t had your venting system checked in a while, it might be time for an inspection.

3. Air Filtration and Cleaning

While controlling pollutants and improving ventilation are important, using air filtration systems can help capture particles that these methods might miss. Here are a few indoor air quality improvement tips that focus on air cleaning:

Maintain HVAC Filters

Changing your HVAC filters regularly is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your heating and cooling systems don’t recirculate dust, allergens, and pollutants throughout your home. High-efficiency filters (MERV-13) work best for filtering out fine particles like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Replace your filters every 30 to 90 days to keep your system running smoothly.

Use Portable Air Purifiers

A HEPA air purifier is an excellent investment if you want to target specific areas in your home with poor air quality, such as bedrooms or living rooms. These purifiers can capture 99.97% of airborne particles, including dust, smoke, and pollen, which can help keep your indoor air clean and breathable.

Use HEPA Vacuums

Vacuuming is crucial for keeping dust, dirt, and allergens under control. However, regular vacuums often redistribute particles into the air. Investing in a vacuum with a HEPA filter ensures that the particles you suck up stay in the vacuum and aren’t blown back into the air. This simple step makes cleaning easier and more effective in improving air quality.

4. Humidity and Moisture Control

Maintaining the right humidity levels in your home can go a long way in preventing mold growth and controlling dust mites. Keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50% is optimal for comfort and health. Here’s how you can manage moisture levels:

Use Dehumidifiers

If you live in a damp environment, a dehumidifier is your best friend. Dehumidifiers help reduce the moisture in the air, preventing mold growth and dust mites from flourishing. I’ve found that using a dehumidifier in my basement makes a noticeable difference in air quality.

Fix Leaks Immediately

Leaks in plumbing, roofs, or windows can cause water to seep into your home, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Make sure to repair leaks within 24–48 hours to prevent moisture buildup and keep your indoor air clean.

5. Monitor and Test Your Air Quality

Testing the air quality in your home is an important step in making sure your IAQ improvement efforts are working. Here’s what you should keep an eye on:

Air Quality Monitors

Invest in an air quality monitor to track real-time levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM2.5). This will help you identify problem areas and take action accordingly. You can find inexpensive options online that are easy to use.

Test for Radon

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can enter homes through cracks in the foundation. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., making it essential to test your home for radon. Use a radon test kit to check your home’s levels, or hire a professional to do it for you.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas that can accumulate in your home due to improperly vented appliances. Make sure to install CO detectors on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas, to ensure your safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if my indoor air quality is poor?

Common signs include sneezing, headaches, fatigue, lingering odors, excess dust, or a constant “stuffy” feeling at home.

2. Are open windows enough to improve indoor air quality?

Windows help, but air purifiers provide continuous protection, especially during bad weather or in polluted areas.

3. What’s the easiest first step I can take today?

Eliminate obvious pollutants like indoor smoking, synthetic scents, and harsh cleaners, and open your windows daily.

4. How often should I change my HVAC filters?

Every 30–90 days, or sooner if you have pets, allergies, or live in a dusty environment.

Simple Steps to Better Air Quality

Improving indoor air quality doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With these indoor air quality improvement tips, you can take control of the air in your home and create a healthier living space. Whether it’s controlling pollutant sources, improving ventilation, or using air purifiers, small changes can lead to big results. Breathe easier and enjoy the clean, fresh air you deserve!