When most people think about air quality issues, they think about pollution coming from cars and factories.

While this can be a problem, it might not be as pressing of an issue as the quality of the air inside your home.

Think about it. You spend 90 percent of your time indoors. Shouldn’t you make sure the air you’re breathing while you’re inside is as clean as possible?

Lots of homeowners and renters in the U.S. have subpar indoor air quality and don’t even realize it.

If you’re worried about the air in your home, keep reading. Listed below are some tips that will help you to improve indoor air quality today.

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Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality

There are a lot of issues that can contribute to poor indoor air quality. The following are some of the most common issues that could be ruining the air inside your home:

Plastic

Products that contain plastic may also contain harmful chemicals like Polybrominated biphenyl (also known as PBB) and Polychlorinated biphenyl (also known as PCB).

These chemicals are bad for your health and can contribute to a variety of health problems like lung irritation when you breathe them in.

Wood

Wood furniture might contain polyurethane. It’s often sprayed on products to preserve them and keep them looking shiny. Polyurethane is a respiratory toxin. Most people are worried that the only way to remove polyurethane is to use other chemicals but that doesn’t need to be the case, says Kristen Chapple. It’s possible to make your own varnish removal mixture and get rid of this toxin.

Upholstery

Your upholstery could be causing problems, too. Many upholstered products contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and other health issues.

Cigarettes

Cigarette smoking is bad for the lungs and can even contribute to the development of lung cancer. If anyone smokes inside of your home, the air quality is surely sub-optimal.

Mold

If you have damp areas in your home and don’t make de-humidifying a priority, you may experience mold growth. Mold is linked to respiratory issues, infections, headaches, fatigue, and more.

Cleaning Products

Cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. These substances can be hard on your respiratory system, and some have even been linked to serious health issues like cancer.

Dust, Dirt, and Dander

Dirt and dust buildup in your home can contribute to respiratory issues and worsen your indoor air quality. Dander from pets can make these issues worse, too.

Signs You Have an Air Quality Problem

If the air quality in your home is less-than-ideal, you might notice the following problems in yourself or your family members:

  • Eye, nose, and throat irritation
  • Rashes and skin redness
  • Dry skin
  • Coughing
  • Respiratory infections
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

Even if you don’t notice any of these issues, you can still benefit from making indoor air quality a priority. The sooner you start improving the air in your home, the less likely you and your family are to experience negative health effects.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

If you’re interested in improving the air quality in your home, there are lots of things you can do. Here are some of the most effective steps you might want to take:

Ban Smoking

One of the easiest things you can do to improve the air quality in your home is to ban smoking.

If you stop smoking inside your home — and keep others from doing it as well — you’ll help to protect your family from second-hand smoke and a variety of respiratory problems.

Keep Your House Clean

The cleaner your house is, the better the indoor air quality will be.

It’s especially important to prioritize tasks like dusting, mopping, and vacuuming. These chores help to pick up dirt, dust, dander, and other irritants that might be lingering in the air.

Change AC Filters

Those who are looking to learn more about cleaning up the air inside their homes can also benefit from changing their air conditioner filters on a regular basis.

Remember, if your AC filters are filthy, that dirt and dust will get blown into your home every time you turn the air conditioner on.

That’s definitely not ideal if air purity is important to you.

Use an Air Purifier

An air purifier is a great tool that can help to clean your home and get rid of pathogens and irritants in the air.

Place your air purifier in the areas of your house that get used most often. This might include the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom.

You may want to invest in a dehumidifier as well. Place this in damp areas, such as the basement of your home, to prevent mold growth.

Open the Windows

Open up your windows and let fresh air in whenever you can, even in the winter. This is an easy way to keep air circulating and get rid of lingering pathogens, too.

Invest in Potted Plants

There are lots of plants that help to purify the air inside your home. These plants absorb toxins from the air, similar to an air purifier.

Some of the best plants to invest in include:

  • Spider plants
  • Dracaenas
  • Golden pothos
  • Areca palms
  • Chrysanthemums

These plants are all easy to care for, too.

Swap Out Cleaning Products

Cleaning your home on a regular basis is important if you want to keep the air as pure as possible.

Make sure you’re not spraying toxic cleaners all over the place, though.

Invest in natural, non-toxic cleaning products, or make your own using vinegar, water, and essential oils.

Test Your Air

Finally, be sure to test your indoor air quality on a regular basis. This will help you figure out what kinds of specific issues you need to address.

There are lots of indoor air quality tests you can buy, or you can call a professional and have them come and test the air for you.

Get More Home Improvement Tips Today

As you can see, there are lots of things you can do to improve indoor air quality.

If you’ve noticed signs of poor air quality in your home, give these tips a try to see if they help.

Are you looking for more advice on how you can improve your home and make it a healthier, more inviting place? If so, we’ve got lots of resources available on our website.

Check out the Lifestyle section today to learn more.

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