Breathe Easier: 11 Top Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home

Updated: January 2026

We spend a lot of time thinking about the air outside—checking the smog levels on the weather app or complaining about the pollen count in the spring. But did you know that the air inside your home can actually be two to five times more polluted than the air outdoors? Since most of us spend nearly 90% of our time inside, learning how to improve indoor air quality isn’t just a home maintenance task; it’s a vital part of taking care of your health.

The good news? You don’t need a massive renovation or an industrial-grade ventilation system to make a difference. With a few simple swaps and some mindful habits, you can transform your home into a fresh-air sanctuary.

In this updated guide, we’re sharing 11 friendly, actionable tips to help you improve indoor air quality and breathe easier every single day.

1. Let the Outside In: The Power of Natural Ventilation

The simplest and most cost-effective way to improve indoor air quality is to crack open a window. Modern homes are built to be airtight for energy efficiency, which is great for your heating bill but terrible for air circulation. This “tightness” traps pollutants like carbon dioxide, pet dander, and cleaning fumes inside.

Try to practice “cross-ventilation” for at least 15 minutes a day. Open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a draft that pushes stale air out and pulls fresh air in. Even in the winter, a quick five-minute “flush” can significantly lower the concentration of indoor pollutants without freezing your toes off!

2. Introduce Some Greenery (The NASA Way!)

Nature has its own built-in air filtration system: plants. Research, including the famous NASA Clean Air Study, has shown that certain houseplants can help improve indoor air quality by absorbing toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air.

If you’re looking for low-maintenance options that work hard, consider:

• Snake Plants: Great for bedrooms because they release oxygen at night.

• Spider Plants: Excellent at battling carbon monoxide and xylene.

• Peace Lilies: Beautiful flowers that help filter out VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Plus, plants just make a room feel more alive and peaceful, which is a win for your mental health too.

3. Switch to Natural Scents (Ditch the Synthetic Sprays)

We all want our homes to smell like “Linen Breeze” or “Cinnamon Spice,” but many conventional air fresheners and scented candles are packed with chemicals. These products often release phthalates and VOCs that can irritate the lungs.

To improve indoor air quality without sacrificing a nice-smelling home:

• Use an essential oil diffuser with high-quality, pure essential oils.

• Simmer a pot of water on the stove with orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.

• Choose beeswax or soy candles with cotton wicks, which burn much cleaner than traditional paraffin wax.

4. Master the Art of the “No-Shoe” Policy

It might feel a little awkward to ask guests to take their shoes off at first, but your floors (and lungs) will thank you. Think about where your shoes go: public restrooms, oily parking lots, and treated lawns. When you wear shoes inside, you track in pesticides, lead dust, pollen, and bacteria.

By implementing a “shoes-off” rule at the front door, you drastically reduce the amount of dust and toxins that settle into your carpets. This is one of the easiest habits to adopt if you want to improve indoor air quality with zero financial investment.

5. Keep Your Humidity in the “Goldilocks Zone”

When it comes to indoor air, humidity is a balancing act. If it’s too humid (above 50%), you risk mould and mildew growth. If it’s too dry (below 30%), it can irritate your respiratory tract and make you more susceptible to colds.

To improve indoor air quality, aim for a humidity level between 30% and 50%.

• In the summer: Use a dehumidifier or your air conditioner to keep moisture in check.

• In the winter: Use a humidifier to prevent dry skin and throat irritation, but make sure to clean the unit regularly so it doesn’t become a breeding ground for bacteria.

6. Upgrade Your Vacuum to a HEPA Filter

Dusting is important, but if you’re using an old vacuum without a proper filter, you might just be sucking up dust and blowing it right back out into the air.

To effectively improve indoor air quality, look for a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. These filters are designed to trap 99.97% of tiny particles, including dust mites, pet dander, and pollen. While you’re at it, try to vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a week to keep the “dust load” in your home low.

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7. Use Your Kitchen Exhaust Fan Every Time You Cook

Cooking is a major source of indoor air pollution that many people overlook. Gas stoves can release nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, while frying oils can release fine particulate matter into the air.

To improve indoor air quality in the kitchen:

• Always turn on your range hood fan before you start cooking.

• If your fan doesn’t vent to the outside (if it just recirculates air), open a nearby window while the stove is on.

• Keep your stove burners clean to prevent charred food from releasing extra smoke.

8. Be Mindful of Pet Dander and Grooming

We love our furry friends, but their dander (dead skin cells) is a major allergen that lingers in the air and on furniture. Even “hypoallergenic” breeds produce some dander.

You can improve indoor air quality while keeping your pets happy by:

• Brushing your pets outdoors to keep the loose fur and dander out of the house.

• Washing pet bedding in hot water once a week.

• Using a damp cloth to wipe down your pet’s paws after they’ve been outside.

9. Choose “Low-VOC” When Decorating and Renovating

Have you ever noticed that “new car smell” or the scent of a freshly painted room? That’s the smell of VOCs off-gassing into the air. Many paints, glues, carpets, and even new furniture release chemicals for months or even years after they are brought home.

When you’re looking to update your space and improve indoor air quality:

• Look for “Low-VOC” or “Zero-VOC” labels on paint cans.

• Opt for solid wood furniture over pressed wood (which often contains formaldehyde-based glues).

• If you buy new furniture, let it “air out” in a garage or a well-ventilated room for a few days before moving it into your main living space.

10. Don’t Just Cover Up Odours—Absorb Them

Instead of reaching for a chemical spray when the trash can smells, try using natural absorbers. Activated charcoal bags (often sold as bamboo charcoal) are incredible at pulling odours and excess moisture out of the air without releasing any scent of their own.

To further improve indoor air quality, you can place these bags in closets, bathrooms, or near pet litter boxes. They are sustainable, reusable (just place them in the sun once a month to “recharge”), and completely non-toxic.

11. Maintenance is Key: Change Your AC and Furnace Filters

Your HVAC system is the lungs of your home. If the filters are clogged with dirt and debris, the system has to work harder, and it will circulate dirty air throughout every room.

Check your filters once a month. If they look grey or fuzzy, it’s time for a change. Most experts recommend replacing them every 60 to 90 days. Using high-quality pleated filters can significantly improve indoor air quality by catching smaller particles that cheaper fiberglass filters might miss.

Why Does Improving Indoor Air Quality Matter?

You might be wondering if these steps really make a difference. The answer is a resounding yes! When you take steps to improve indoor air quality, you aren’t just making your home smell fresher; you are investing in your long-term health. Better air quality has been linked to:

• Improved Sleep: Lower levels of allergens and CO2 can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

• Reduced Allergy Symptoms: No more waking up with a stuffy nose or itchy eyes.

• Better Focus: Fresh, oxygen-rich air helps the brain function at its best, which is essential if you work from home.

• Lower Respiratory Risk: Reducing dust and chemicals protects your lungs from irritation and long-term damage.

Final Thoughts on Your Journey to Fresher Air

Transforming your home into a healthy environment doesn’t have to happen overnight. Maybe this week you start by taking your shoes off at the door. Next week, you might pick up a Snake Plant or change your furnace filter. In 2026, we have more tools than ever—from affordable air sensors to better ventilation standards—to help us manage our indoor environments effectively.

Every small change you make helps improve indoor air quality and creates a safer, more comfortable space for you and your family. Remember, your home should be a place where you can truly breathe easy.

Loved this post? If you want to dive deeper into the science of what’s in your air, you’ll definitely want to check out our companion guide: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Everything You Need to Know. It’s the perfect next step to help you identify hidden chemical “off-gassing” and eliminate it for good!

Which of these tips are you going to try first? Let us know in the comments below! If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with a friend who wants to create a healthier home environment. Happy breathing!

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