7 common household items that are polluting your air

Never before has it been more important to focus on learning how to improve air quality indoors. Aside from the usual tips and tricks people use, there may be some household items that are polluting the air you are breathing 

While an air purifier works to clean the air in your home, it's worth looking at what is polluting it.

Many everyday items around the house can pollute the air without us even realizing it. When identifying these emitters, it's crucial to identify those most pervasive and address practical steps for mitigation. 

7 common household items that are polluting your air

Here are seven everyday household items and what you can do to reduce their impact:

1. Cleaning products

‘Many household cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can evaporate into the air at room temperature,’ says Joshua Bartlett, home improvement expert at I’ll Just Fix It Myself. ‘These compounds contribute to indoor air pollution and can exacerbate respiratory problems, headaches, and eye irritation.’

Thankfully there are a few ways that you can mitigate these pollutants. The first is by using natural products such as Method Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner Spray from Amazon or making your own with ingredients like vinegar and ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda from Walmart.

Additionally, you should always ensure good ventilation by opening windows or using exhaust fans when cleaning and avoid aerosol cleaners, choosing liquid or solid cleaning products over aerosols to reduce those VOC emissions.

Joshua Bartlett

Joshua Bartlett has been responsible for the upkeep of several homes, apartments, and rentals. He created I’ll Just Fix It Myself to help others learn alongside him, sharing what he has learned through his decades of successes – and failures – to tackle home improvement.  

2. Paints and Varnishes

Another household item you wouldn’t think produces pollutants is most paints and varnishes. Paints and varnishes release VOCs and other harmful chemicals into the air during application and drying.

Instead, you should opt for low-VOC paint and varnish options such as Glidden Fundamentals Interior Paint from Walmart. Similar to cleaning products, good ventilation helps a lot to remove pollutants from your vicinity. Paint in well-ventilated areas and allow plenty of time for the paint to dry.

3. Air fresheners

We all want our homes to smell nice, however, the devices we often use to do so, such as air freshers and scent boosters are actually causing further pollution. Air fresheners often contain phthalates and other chemicals that emit VOCs, contributing to indoor air pollution.

If you enjoy your home smelling fragrant, cleaning specialist Janille Mangat suggests that you use natural air fresheners like essential oils or potpourri instead, and if you are just trying to mask over bad smells and odors, open your windows to Improve ventilation and reduce the need for air fresheners to begin with.

There are also several houseplants like spider plants or peace lilies, which help purify the air and achieve the same result.

Janille Mangat

Janille Mangat has been working as a cleaning specialist at VMAP services for more than 2 years and has extensive experience with residential and cleaning services.

4. Candles

When burned, traditional paraffin candles release soot, benzene, and toluene, which can contribute to indoor air pollution. Instead, use more natural candles such as beeswax or soy candles from Wayfair with natural wicks that do not contain those chemicals. 

If you want to take it one step further, you can also opt for unscented candles to reduce synthetic fragrance emissions.

5. Carpets and rugs

Surprisingly new carpets and rugs can also contribute pollutants to your air as they emit VOCs from adhesives, dyes, and backing materials. Over time carpets and rugs also trap dust, dirt, and allergens.

Similarly to paint and varnishes, luckily there are low-VOC and eco-friendly carpets such as the Wolcott Rug from Wayfair you can buy which are kinder to your lungs. Ensure any new carpets are installed with low-VOC adhesives, allowing them to be off-gas before use.

Aside from changing all of your rugs and carpets, you can help reduce the release of pollutants by regularly cleaning and vacuuming.

6. Furniture

Furniture made from pressed wood or particle board can also emit formaldehyde and other VOCs. Instead, opt for solid wood furniture rather than pressed wood or particleboard.

You can also look to update your furniture with an eco-friendly finish, such as one that has been finished off with a low-VOC varnish.

7. Pesticides

Pesticides are a big contributor to the buildup of pollutants in your home. They release harmful chemicals into the air that can linger and cause respiratory problems and skin irritation.

If you are looking for ways to eliminate pests,  you can still use natural pest control methods like diatomaceous earth, essential oils such as organic neem oil from Amazon, or traps. Use a combination of these natural pest control methods to maximize their effectiveness.

Tips for improving indoor air quality

In addition to mitigating current household items that are polluting your air, you can also incorporate some of these general tips to improve your overall indoor air quality.

Ventilation: Improve natural ventilation by opening windows and doors when possible.

Air Purifiers: Use air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters such as the Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier from Amazon.

Houseplants: Incorporate air-purifying houseplants into your home decor.

Regular Cleaning: Maintain a regular cleaning schedule to reduce dust, mold, and other pollutants.

Humidity Control: Keep indoor humidity levels between 30-50% to prevent mold growth and dust mites.

FAQs

By understanding what contributes to indoor air pollution and taking proactive steps, you can significantly improve the air quality in your home and breathe much cleaner air.