6 Ways to Improve Air Quality at Home

Key points

• Winter conditions and heating increase indoor pollutants.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) are especially harmful and can accumulate indoors.
• Using air purifiers and keeping windows closed helps reduce exposure.
• Monitoring air quality at home allows timely protective actions.

Although it may seem to you that only the outdoor air is polluted and harmful for health, it’s worth mentioning that according to research, substances found indoors can be even more dangerous. How to improve air quality at home? Continue reading to discover our 6 tips!

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters: Health Risks and Hidden Dangers

Too often, household air pollution is overlooked compared to outdoor air pollution. Yet studies show that indoor pollutant levels can be 2 to 8 times higher than outdoor levels, mainly due to poor ventilation, off-gassing from furniture and cleaning products, and daily activities. This invisible threat is driven by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust mites, and mold spores, all of which are linked to a range of acute and chronic health issues.

Breathing VOCs emitted by paints, solvents, and synthetic materials can cause headaches, respiratory irritation, reduced lung function, and long-term consequences for vulnerable groups. Dust and dust mites, which thrive in carpets and bedding, are frequent triggers of allergies and asthma. Mold growth, exacerbated by excess humidity, poses the risk of respiratory infections, chronic cough, and even neurological effects in sensitive individuals.

Deep Dive: Smart Ventilation and Natural Air Purifiers

Ventilation isn’t just about opening a window. In urban environments, opening windows during high-pollution events or winter heating periods may allow more pollutants to enter rather than bringing in fresh air. “Smart ventilation” refers to timing your window opening for favorable weather or low outdoor smog, utilizing exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove contaminants at their source, and supplementing with air purifiers equipped with genuine HEPA filters. Research confirms that high-quality filters can reduce particulate and allergen levels by up to 80%, dramatically improving respiratory function in at-risk residents. Similarly, plants such as spider plants, peace lilies, and English ivy can naturally reduce airborne toxins, though they work best as complements, not substitutes, for proper filtration and cleaning.

How to improve indoor air quality? 6 useful tips

1. Monitor air quality

It’s hard to solve problems if you don’t know that they exist. If you’re wondering how to improve air quality in a bedroom, you should be able to determine what are the regular parameters in your house and how they change depending on your activities. To obtain reliable data, benefit from professional air quality mobile app and air quality sensors that will allow you to stay on your toes.

2. Change air filters on a regular basis

If the abovementioned apps or sensors signalize that your indoor air quality decreased significantly over the last few days, it’s time to check filers and replace them.

3. Let in some fresh air

It’s worth opening windows and door on beautiful days when the smog level is low. Thanks to it, you’ll effectively and quickly ventilate the room. Five minutes should be fully enough to improve air quality in your home.

4. Invest in plants

Did you know that some popular and affordable plants effectively improve air quality by breathing in carbon dioxide and releasing fresh, clean air? Apart from being useful, they’ll also adorn your living space. Invest in:

• palm trees,
• weeping figs,
• dragon trees,
• aloe veras,
• peace lilies.

5. Regularly clean floors and furniture

Although this point may seem obvious, dirty floors and furniture may contain various allergens and dust mites, which can have a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you’re thinking how to improve air quality at home, start with washing the carpet, bed and floor.

6. Keep an eye on humidity levels

Too-humid air can cause mold, which triggers allergies or even asthma. Use the above mentioned sensors and keep the humidity level between 30% and 50%.

Bonus #7: Low-Cost vs. High-Impact Solutions

Not every action requires a significant investment to yield big results. Regular cleaning, storing chemicals safely, and monitoring indoor air with affordable sensors are foundational, low-cost ways to stay informed and healthy. At the same time, higher-impact solutions such as whole-house air filtration or integrated humidity control may involve greater upfront costs but offer sustained, measurable benefits.

For maximum benefit, start with the “low-hanging fruit”: maintain proper ventilation, keep surfaces clean, and select plants and purifiers that are suited to your space. Use the Airly mobile app and sensor network to track improvements and scale up interventions as needed. Balancing cost and impact ensures that every household can find meaningful and actionable ways to improve their indoor environment, thereby safeguarding long-term health.

How to improve air quality at home? The takeaway

Long-term exposure to harmful substances can cause serious health problems. Therefore, it’s worth monitoring useful parameters and taking appropriate steps such as cleaning surfaces or buying special plants to improve indoor air quality. Wondering how to prevent air pollution? Check out our blog post!