8 Tips to Reduce Air Pollution in Your Home
The air you breathe plays a major role in your overall health. While most people focus on outdoor pollution, indoor air quality can be just as important, if not more so. Ironically, some activities we do to make our homes feel more pleasant, like decorating, lighting scented candles, or using air fresheners can actually increase pollutants in the air.
If you want cleaner, healthier air indoors, here are eight simple and effective steps to reduce indoor air pollution.
1. Open Windows Strategically
Regularly opening windows helps remove pollutants and bring in fresh outdoor air. Even in colder or humid weather, it’s important to maintain ventilation. However, be strategic if your home is near a busy road, avoid opening windows during peak traffic.
For hay fever sufferers, keep windows closed in the morning when pollen levels are highest. Monitor local air quality and open windows longer on low-pollution days, and less when pollution is high.
2. Keep Ventilation Pathways Clear
Avoid blocking permanent ventilation features such as air bricks or trickle vents. These allow natural airflow even when doors and windows are closed, helping regulate temperature, reduce condensation, and prevent pollutants from building up.
Over-sealing a home, such as with heavy insulation or double glazing can trap pollutants indoors for longer periods.
3. Vacuum Regularly
Frequent vacuuming removes dust, pet dander, and other particles from your floors and carpets. Use a high-quality vacuum cleaner with good filtration to prevent dust from leaking back into the air.
Carpets can trap allergens, so vacuum often, especially if you have pets. Remove shoes indoors, wash bedding regularly, and shake out non-washable fabrics outside to minimize dust build-up.
Read more: Cara Menata Interior Rumah Tipe 36 Agar Terlihat Luas
4. Don’t Rely Solely on Houseplants
While houseplants are beautiful and can make a space feel more relaxing, their effect on air quality is limited. Significant benefits would require a large number of plants under ideal conditions, which is difficult to achieve in a typical home.
5. Watch Out for Dampness and Mold
Excess humidity can lead to mold growth, dust mites, and other allergens. Condensation forms when moist air meets cold surfaces like windows or walls.
Avoid drying clothes indoors, or if you must, open a window to let moisture escape. Use a dehumidifier if necessary, and never store damp clothes in your wardrobe.
6. Ventilate During Cleaning and Decorating
Paints, aerosols, and cleaning products often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and even cause long-term health problems.
Choose low-VOC paints, minimize spray use, and reduce scented candle or air freshener use. If there’s an unpleasant odor, identify and fix the source rather than masking it.
7. Don’t Smoke Indoors
Smoking releases harmful chemicals into the air, many of which linger long after the cigarette is out. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory problems, especially in children.
Read more: Break These 4 Outdated Color Rules for a More Stylish Home
8. Consider Using an Air Purifier
An air purifier should not be your first or only solution, but it can be helpful, especially if you have allergies, respiratory issues, live near a major road, or are frequently exposed to smoke or odors. Keep in mind that air purifiers work best in a single room and do not replace the need to reduce pollution at its source.
