Your home is meant to be a sanctuary, a place where you can relax and recharge after a long day’s work.

However, the air inside it might be harboring unseen contaminants, posing a threat to your and your family’s well-being. The good news is that with some practical strategies and mindful habits, you can significantly reduce the level of them, creating a healthier and more comfortable environment for everyone.

The basics of indoor pollution

According to the EPA, there are numerous sources of indoor air pollution, including radon, pesticides, household cleaning products, air fresheners, central heating and cooling systems, and more. Each may give off different pollutants—like volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—and to different degrees depending on a variety of factors. For instance, age and maintenance history can play a huge role when it comes to appliances. So an HVAC system that’s serviced every year and has its filters regularly changed won’t pose as high a risk as one that’s been ignored.

Exposure to these pollutants can have both an immediate impact on your wellness and a long-term one without sufficient efforts to reduce them. Say there’s been a recent mold development in your home. You may initially experience cold-like symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, but if the problem is quickly addressed, they should dissipate promptly. However, if it persists, you could develop more serious issues like respiratory or heart disease or even cancer. To promote a safer home environment and protect your health, it’s crucial to take proactive measures to mitigate any indoor pollution risks.

Test your air quality

First things first is assessing the current air quality of your home. Consider installing an indoor air quality monitor, which is a device that measures the levels of VOCs, particulate matter, humidity, and other factors. You can also purchase specialized testing kits tests for pollutants especially likely to be a problem for your property, such as radon, mold, or carbon monoxide. For instance, all types of homes are susceptible to radon—a colorless and odorless gas that comes up from the ground and collects in cracks in your home’s foundation—but it tends to concentrate the most in basements. As radon is linked to lung cancer, it’s a good idea to test for it if your home has a sublevel. Should elevated levels be detected, look into solutions for bringing them down, such as sealing your foundation or installing a radon mitigation system.

Minimize the pollutants you introduce

In addition to outside sources, you may be bringing contaminants into your home without even realizing it. To help prevent this, reassess your habits and purchasing decisions for healthy changes you can make. As a general rule, it’s best to prohibit smoking indoors entirely; the harmful chemicals in secondhand smoke can linger in the air and cause respiratory issues and other health problems, especially for children and individuals with preexisting conditions. Additionally, carefully consider the cleaning products you use. Ones like glass cleaners and bleach often contain dangerous substances, so instead opt for products with natural, nontoxic ingredients like vinegar and baking soda to clean your home with. Similarly, avoid using synthetic fragrances and aerosol air fresheners since they can give off high levels of VOCs.

Let fresh air in

Because the outside air is often less polluted, bringing fresh air into your home is a simple yet effective way to dilute its concentration of indoor pollutants. For natural ventilation, open your windows for at least ten minutes a day, even in winter. (Just be sure to check that your area isn’t under an air quality alert before doing so.) Even more, it’s important to change your HVAC filters at least once every three months to help ensure that your system is functioning properly, bringing in clean air while filtering out pollutants. These simple steps can go a long way toward making your home healthier and more comfortable.

Clean the air

Purifying the air in your home is a surefire method of improving air quality. One natural and aesthetically pleasing solution may be to add houseplants to various spaces. Studies show that certain ones, such as spider plants, peace lilies, and English ivy, absorb gaseous pollutants like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide; they are especially effective when placed in areas with lower ventilation.

For more robust protection, consider investing in a portable air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter, which can remove up to 99 percent of harmful particles, allergens, and chemical pollutants. Place one in the room with the most potential contaminants, such as your kitchen, and at least six inches away from walls, doors, and other furnishings. If you have the budget, you can also have an air-purification system installed in your home’s ductwork; it will work with your HVAC system to improve air quality throughout the whole house as opposed to one room.

Keep your house tidy

You may have never thought about it before, but how dirty your home is can actually have a significant impact on its air quality. Your bedding, for instance, collects dust, dust mites, and pet dander, all of which are common allergens. To keep these from accumulating, it’s recommended that you wash your sheets at least once a week in hot water. Similarly, dust the surfaces throughout your home and vacuum your carpets, rugs, and upholstery every week, equipping your vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture even the smallest particles of dust and other irritants.

Because you spend so much time at home, it’s important to take steps to ensure that its air quality is as optimal as possible. In turn, you can not only make it a relaxing space for you and your loved ones but also protect everyone’s long-term health.