How to Purify the Air in Your House

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methods

1Improving the Air Quality In Your Home

2Purifying the Air Naturally

3Making Lifestyle Changes

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Indoor air can be just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than outdoor air. Indoor air contains many impurities, such as mold, pet dander, dust mites, gas fumes, chemicals, among other pollutants. Learn how to purify the air in your house to reduce the pollutants you and your family are exposed to.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Improving the Air Quality In Your Home

1. 
   1
   Improve ventilation in your home. Opening a window is not always the best idea if you’re trying to purify the air in your home. The air outdoors contains a lot of pollutants. Instead, install trickle vents. These vents are screens you place over your windows with extra filters to help remove pollutants from inside while letting fresh air in.
2. 
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   Use a HEPA filter. Use a disposable HEPA filter with your air conditioner. You can also purchase standing HEPA filters for a single room or use them in air purifiers.

   • Make sure to clean or change the HEPA filter often.
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3. 
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   Use your air conditioner. Air conditioners can help improve the air quality in your home by removing water from the air, which can help since a lot of pollutants are water-soluble. ACs can also remove other impurities from the air.
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   Use exhaust fans. Exhaust fans in your bathroom help remove moisture from the air. This helps protect against mold. In the kitchen, exhaust fans help remove harmful pollutants from the air. Whenever you take a shower or cook, run the exhaust fans to help remove these things from the air in your home.

   • Using the exhaust fan when cooking can help reduce the buildup of harmful gases if you have a gas stove.
5. 
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   Open windows when using chemicals. If you use chemicals, or engage in hobbies like painting, you need ventilate your house. Open windows, use fans, or open doors to remove any chemicals from the air.

   • If possible, use chemicals outdoors to reduce the amount in the air in your home.
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   Choose your cleaning products carefully. Some cleaning products can put pollutants into the air. Look for cleaning products that are fragrance-free. Also look for products that say low VOC or no VOC, which means they contain few or no volatile organic compounds.
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   Remove your car from the garage when cranked. Don’t leave your car in a garage while on for long periods of time. When a car idles, it emits exhaust that can come into your house. If you are cranking a car and letting it idle for any reason, move it to the driveway instead of leaving it in your home.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Purifying the Air Naturally

1. 
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   Decorate with houseplants. Many houseplants can help purify the air in your home. Good plants for purifying are English ivy, peace lilies, snake plant, Boston fern, ficus, spider plant, and aloe vera.
2. 
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   Try a beeswax candle. Paraffin candles can release harmful chemicals into the air. Instead, burn beeswax candles. They don’t release harmful things into the air, instead releasing negative ions into the air. These negative ions can help remove toxins from the air.

   • Make sure to look for 100% beeswax candles.
3. 
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   Buy a Himalayan salt lamp. Himalayan salt lamps are believed to remove pollutants from the air, like dust, smoke, pollen, and toxins. The salt lamp absorbs water molecules and the pollutants in the molecules.

   • These lamps emit a soft glow and make good decorations.
4. 
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   Try a charcoal filter. Charcoal is used in water purifiers and beauty products to remove toxins. Carbon filters are popular ways to remove toxins from the air. You can also make charcoal bags to remove toxins from the air.

   • Just add bamboo charcoal to a linen bag and put it in your room. It will help remove impurities from the air.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes

1. 
   1
   Refrain from smoking indoors. One way to remove pollutants in your home is to refuse to let people smoke inside. If someone in your family or visitors smoke, ask them to only smoke outside.
2. 
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   Reduce the humidity. Mold grows in just about every indoor area. You can reduce the likelihood of mold and the growth of new mold by reducing the moisture level in your home. One easy way to do this is to keep the humidity level low, under 50%. Use a dehumidifier if you have to, or run your AC.

   • Fix any leaks or sources of moisture in the home. Standing water increases pollutants.
3. 
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   Control against pests. Lessen the presence of pests like cockroaches, ants, and mice in your home. Don’t leave food out, sweep your kitchen, and wipe down counters. Cover trashcans and don’t leave food inside them for long periods of time.
4. 
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   Avoid using fireplaces. Don’t burn wood indoors, either in a fireplace or a wood burning stove. This can release pollutants into the air.
5. 
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   Vacuum and dust your home. By vacuuming and dusting your home, you help eliminate dust, dirt, and other allergens from the air. Make sure to not only vacuum the carpet, but also furniture, rugs, and even drapes. Dust regularly, too. Use a damp rag instead of a dry one to help remove it instead of pushing it around.

   • If you can, get a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
   • Vacuuming and dusting can help remove dust mites.
6. 
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   Consider hardwood floors. Carpet can hold dirt, dust mites, pet dander, other allergens, and pollutants. Consider switching to hardwood floors to reduce the prevalence of these pollutants. If you switch to hardwood floors, don’t place a bunch of rugs. They hold allergens just like carpet.
7. 
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   Limit pet shedding. Pet hair and pet dander can cause problems with allergies and put impurities in the air. If you have a pet, you can still purify your air. Make sure to vacuum or sweep hair up often, so it doesn't end up in the air.

   • Brush your pet often. This helps get rid of loose hairs. If you do this outdoors, you can get rid of the hair outside of your home, which will help keep the air clean.
   • If your pet is covered in dirt or other debris, wipe them off or brush them before they come inside. Clean their feet if they have mud or other things on them.
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