12 Natural Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Sometimes you need to freshen the air in your home, but it's too cold to crack a window. Improve your home's indoor air quality naturally with these 12 tips.

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indoor air quality rain boot tray
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Take Off Your Shoes and Boots

Who knows what’s on the bottom of your shoes, so be sure everyone removes shoes when coming at the home. Use a boot tray or shoe rack to collect dirt, pesticides and other pollutants from making their way into your home.

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vacuuming carpet
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Keep Floors Clean

Allergens can accumulate on your floors, especially if you have rugs or carpeting. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce harmful pollutants and regularly mop hardwood, tile and vinyl floors.

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putting together furniture
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Check Your Furniture

Some of your furniture may be made with toxic glues that can contain harmful chemicals. In addition, finishing products such as lacquers and varnishes may cause problems with some people with allergies and asthma. Avoid furniture made with woods that have been treated with formaldehyde and put together with toxic glues.

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roller paint wall white
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Reconsider Your Paint

There are some paints on the market that may cause you to feel faint or dizzy due to the fumes. Look for paints that are labeled “Zero VOC” or “Low VOC” to cut down on harmful chemicals.

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humidifier
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Add Humidity, But Not Too Much

Keep your home’s humidity at the right level, around 30 to 50 percent. This will help keep indoor allergens under control. Use a dehumidifier if needed, especially during the summer months to cut down humidity levels.

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No Smoking
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: No Smoking

It may seem obvious, but don’t allow guests to smoke in your home. Secondhand smoke not only causes odors, but increases the chance for developing asthma and cancer, among other health risks. If your guests do smoke, have them take a break outside.

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Make your own homemade cleaner
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Go Fragrance Free

Fragrances found in many cleaning products can impact those with asthma and allergies. Look for fragrance-free products, including laundry soap and kitchen and bathroom cleaners. Try using natural cleaners such as lemon and baking soda to make your home sparkle.

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 Aerosol Spray Paint Can
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Cut Out Aerosol Sprays

Aerosol sprays can release harmful chemicals into the air. Instead, opt for non-aerosol versions of hair sprays, deodorants, furniture polishes and air fresheners. Take projects that involve spray painting outside.

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indoor pants indoor air quality
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Add Plants

Plants not only add some color to the room, they act as natural air purifiers. Depending on your space, there are plants that thrive in sunlight and those that need little light and hardly any maintenance. Add a spider plant or a terrarium to not only brighten up your space, but help clear the air.

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bees wax candles oui yogurt jar

Improve Indoor Air Quality: Try Beeswax Candles

Candles help a space feel cozy, but many candles contain paraffin which is made from petroleum and can impact your home’s air quality. Instead, try beeswax candles which emit almost no smoke so they are great options for those with allergies and asthma.

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Radon
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Test for Radon

Radon is an odorless gas that can raise the risk of lung cancer. The colorless gas can be found in nearly all soil types and moves up through the ground and into your home through the foundation. Have your home tested for radon as any home (no matter what its age) can have a high levels of radon.

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Get rid of Mold and Mildew
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Tackle Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew can lead to air quality problems, especially for those with breathing issues. Reduce the chance for mold by fixing any leaking plumbing and emptying drip trays for both your dehumidifier and your window air conditioner.

Also, learn about bathroom exhaust fans for levelling up your bathroom ventilation game!

Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.