In all the busyness of everyday life, your home’s air quality might not be the first thing on your mind. However, poor indoor air quality can affect your health and happiness, aggravating allergies, causing respiratory issues, and leading to general discomfort.
Luckily, poor air quality isn’t just something you have to live with. You can take steps to improve the air quality in your home. In this guide, we’ll explore the common causes of poor air quality and share practical solutions to make your space feel fresher and healthier. We’ll also look at how to tell if you have poor air quality and the symptoms of indoor air pollution.
This guide includes:
What are the causes of poor indoor air quality?
How to improve the air quality in your home: 19 helpful solutions
How can you check the air quality in your home?
What are the symptoms of poor indoor air quality?
Improve your home’s air quality with JustFix
What are the causes of poor indoor air quality?
Many factors can contribute to poor air quality, from day-to-day activities that you might not realise are an issue to more serious problems that require professional attention.
Here are some of the common culprits:
- A build-up of dust: Dust can come from a range of sources (like pollen, skin, and pets), settle on surfaces, and be inhaled by members of your household
- Mould and mildew: Mould releases harmful spores into the air, which can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and fatigue when breathed in
- Chemical pollutants: Cleaning products, aerosols, paints, and air fresheners can release dangerous compounds
- Poor ventilation: Without good ventilation, the above pollutants can get trapped indoors, worsening the air quality
- Tobacco/nicotine products: Smoking indoors drastically worsens air quality, whilst vaping also releases fine particles which have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular issues
- Outdoor sources: Outdoor pollutants, like smoke from chimneys and gases from vehicles, can enter the home through doors, windows, cracks, and ventilation systems
- Fuel-burning appliances: Stoves and fireplaces can release large amounts of deadly particulate matter, while gas kitchen appliances can omit carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides
How to improve the air quality in your home: 19 helpful solutions
We’ve compiled a list of 19 ways to improve indoor air quality. The most effective solution for your home will likely depend on the cause of poor air quality in your space, so read each tip carefully for guidance.
Top tip: If you’re dealing with poor air quality and aren’t sure of the cause, use this guide as a checklist. Work through this list, trying these suggestions until your home feels healthy and pollutant-free!
Keep your home clean
We get it; tidying up is nobody’s favourite pastime, but a clean home is essential for maintaining good air quality. Here’s how to reduce pollutants by cleaning:
1. Dust often and thoroughly
Dust, which can contain allergens like pollen and pet dander, accumulates on surfaces like shelves, furniture, and electronics. To collect dust, use a microfiber cloth, a feather duster, or even a vacuum cleaner. Don’t forget hard-to-reach spots like light fixtures and skirting boards.
2. Vacuum regularly
Carpets and rugs can trap dust, dirt, and allergens. Vacuuming at least once a week helps to remove these pollutants. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter for the best results, as these are designed to capture even the smallest particles.
3. Wash bedding and curtains
Fabrics can collect dust mites and allergens. Regularly washing bedding and occasionally cleaning soft furnishings like curtains and cushion covers can reduce these irritants. This is especially important if you have pets or if anyone in your household suffers from allergies.
For more tips on keeping your home clean, dust-free, and in tip-top condition, read our ultimate spring cleaning checklist and home maintenance schedule guide .
Improve ventilation
Good ventilation helps to keep air circulating and prevents pollutants from building up. Here’s how to improve ventilation in your home:
4. Open windows
Fresh air is one of the simplest ways to improve indoor air quality. Open your windows for at least 15 minutes daily to let stale air out and fresh air in, even if you live in a city or an area with high outdoor pollution.
5. Use dehumidifiers
Excess moisture and condensation in the air can encourage mould, a primary cause of poor air quality. Dehumidifiers help maintain an ideal humidity level in your house. They’re particularly useful in bathrooms and kitchens, where damp, condensation, and mould are usually found.
6. Use fans
Fans prevent air from becoming stagnant and pollutants from settling. Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom are essential for removing moisture, while ceiling fans can also help circulate air in larger spaces.
Use air purifiers
Air purifiers are designed to remove pollutants from the air and trap them in a filter so you don’t breathe them in. Though they require a substantial initial investment, they’re one of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality.
7. HEPA air purifiers
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are designed to capture particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. These are ideal if you have allergies or pets. Place a HEPA purifier in the rooms where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom or living room.
8. Carbon air purifiers
Carbon filters are excellent for removing pollution caused by human activity, like smoke and products from aerosols and cleaning products. They work by absorbing chemical pollutants, making them a great choice for kitchens or homes with smokers.
Protect against toxins
Certain toxins released by everyday activities can cause serious and even fatal health risks if not properly managed. Here’s how to improve the air quality and minimise risk:
9. Make sure fuel-burning appliances are in working order
Faulty fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, boilers, and fireplaces, can release harmful gases like carbon monoxide. To ensure they're operating safely, get them inspected and serviced by a Gas Safe registered heating and gas engineer.
10. Install carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide is an odourless and invisible gas that can be released by fuel-burning appliances, which is deadly in high concentrations. Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Use the JustFix app to find and book a local electrician to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Eliminate indoor pollutants
Reducing the sources of indoor pollution is a simple and effective way to improve your home’s air quality.
11. Don’t smoke or vape inside
Cigarette smoke contains hundreds of harmful chemicals that linger in the air and cling to surfaces, causing respiratory problems and other deadly diseases. Vaping also releases fine particles, which have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Only smoke or vape outdoors to keep these chemicals out of your indoor air.
12. Avoid harsh cleaning products and aerosols
Many cleaning sprays, air fresheners, and other household products emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Opt for natural, fragrance-free alternatives whenever possible. White vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils are great natural cleaners, whilst plenty of non-toxic options are becoming available on the market.
13. Use candles and diffusers sparingly
Candles and diffusers can make your home smell lovely, but they often release VOCs and synthetic fragrances. Use these products sparingly, or choose flameless options or natural beeswax candles for a safer alternative.
Protect against outdoor pollutants
Outdoor pollutants can easily find their way inside. Take these steps to minimise their impact on your home’s air quality:
14. Replace filters often
Filters in your HVAC system, extractor fans, and air purifiers act as barriers against outdoor pollutants. Replacing them every 3-6 months ensures they stay effective at trapping dust, pollen, and other pollutants, such as smoke and exhaust fumes. A qualified electrician can check and make changes to your HVAC system to ensure it functions effectively.
15. Seal cracks and gaps
Small cracks around doors, windows, and vents allow a constant stream of polluted air to seep into your home. Use caulk, weatherstripping, or sealants to block these gaps. This improves air quality and helps keep your home warm and energy efficient. Need a helping hand? Find and book a local handyperson to help out using our website or app.
Other solutions
Here are a few additional methods you could try to improve the air quality in your home:
16. Prevent condensation
Condensation on windows and walls can lead to mould growth, reducing your home’s air quality. To tackle this, use extractor fans, invest in dehumidifiers, improve ventilation, and follow the other tips in our guide, how to stop condensation.
17. Tackle mould
If condensation or other factors have led to mould growth, tackle it as soon as possible so it doesn’t negatively impact indoor air quality. Follow the steps in our guide to get rid of mould and prevent it from reappearing.
18. Use oxygen-releasing houseplants
Whilst they aren’t a match for air purifiers, certain houseplants, like snake plants and peace lilies, can help filter toxins and release oxygen into the air.
How can you check the air quality in your home?
If you suspect you have poor indoor air quality (check out the next section for signs and symptoms to look out for), use an indoor air quality monitor to test it. An indoor air quality monitor is an affordable device that can check the air quality in your home.
Leave it on constantly to measure the levels of pollution inside your home. It tests for various pollutants, including pollen, dust, chemical pollution, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and humidity.
What are the symptoms of poor indoor air quality?
Indoor air pollution can lead to serious and even deadly illnesses. According to the World Health Organisation, around 3.2 million people die prematurely each year from illnesses linked to household air pollution. As a result, it’s vital to be aware of the symptoms of indoor air pollution and seek medical advice if a member of your household is exhibiting any.
Here are some symptoms of indoor air pollution:
- Worsening asthma, allergies, or other respiratory problems
- Headaches and nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Sinus congestion, sneezing, and coughing
- Irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, and/or throat
- Dizziness and fatigue
Improve your home’s air quality with JustFix
Many of our solutions for improving the air quality in your home are affordable, easy, and simple enough to carry out yourself. However, there are some jobs best left to the pros. Here’s when it’s advisable to draft in an expert to help:
- A Gas Safe registered heating and gas engineer can service and repair faulty fuel-burning appliances to prevent dangerous toxins from being released into your home.
- If you’re concerned that outside pollutants are entering your home through cracks and gaps around windows, doors, or vents, a local handyman can help seal these openings.
- A qualified electrician can install and test a carbon monoxide detector to ensure that household members are protected from invisible fatal gases.
- We recommend changing the filters in your HVAC system every 3-6 months to maintain good indoor air quality. A professional electrician can check, repair, and make changes to your HVAC system and other fixtures, like extractor fans.
- If you have widespread or reoccurring mould, hire a trusted handyman to inspect and tackle the problem.
Our network of fixers is on hand to help with everything from wood burner servicing to sealing cracks and gaps. Simply download the app or use the JustFix website to tell us about the job at hand, get matched up with a local expert who can help, and receive a fixed price per hour rate for the work. It’s that easy!
FAQs
How can I tell if I have poor indoor air quality?
There are a few key indicators that the air quality in your home is poor. You might suffer from health issues like respiratory problems, asthma symptoms, or allergy symptoms. Although it can be hard to ‘see’ poor air quality, mould growth and dust build-up are visible signs linked to indoor air pollution.
An indoor air quality monitor is the best way to measure air pollution. This device tests your home for various pollutants and is a fail-safe way to tell if you have poor indoor air quality.
Are candles bad for indoor air quality?
Candles, especially cheap and scented ones, can release harmful chemicals and pollutants into the air, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, alcohol, and esters. The soot produced by lit candles can also worsen air quality and aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms.
Can I use indoor plants for good air quality?
Despite popular belief, the air-purification benefits of indoor plants are fairly limited unless you have a significant number of them. However, certain plants, like peace lilies and snake plants, can absorb unwanted chemicals, essentially cleaning the air.
