Dealing with unpleasant smells in your home can be incredibly frustrating. Pure Environmental understands how difficult it is to relax and enjoy your space when persistent odors linger.
But do not worry! Fortunately, there are several ways to banish bad smells and naturally restore a fresh atmosphere in your home.
In this article, we will explore 12 natural methods for purifying the air, from using filters, devices, ventilation, and even plants!
Table of Contents
- How Can I Purify the Air at Home Naturally?
- 12 Natural Ways To Disinfect the Air in Your Home
- Pure Environmental: 100% Natural Indoor Air Solutions in Portland and Seattle
How Can I Purify the Air at Home Naturally?
To purify the air at home naturally, try using houseplants, opening windows for ventilation, and placing a HEPA filter or air purifier. You can also reduce indoor pollutants by using low-VOC products, cleaning ducts regularly, and installing an inline HEPA air filter directly into your HVAC system.
For advanced solutions, Pure Environmental offers cutting-edge technology to naturally and effectively improve indoor air quality! Schedule our Odor removal service in Portland and Tacoma.
12 Natural Ways To Disinfect the Air in Your Home
Indoor air quality is often overlooked although it’s essential for promoting overall health and well-being. There are many natural and effective ways to disinfect the air without relying on harsh chemicals.
Using high-tech solutions like HEPA filters and UV lights or simpler approaches like adding houseplants and improving ventilation can help you tackle airborne pollutants, allergens, and bacteria.
#1: Use a HEPA Filter
A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is one of the most effective ways to disinfect the air in your home. Theoretically, it removes over 99% of airborne particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and even bacteria.
HEPA filters, whether placed in air purifiers, HVAC systems, or vacuum cleaners, can efficiently trap harmful particles and improve the air you breathe every day!
If you are struggling with poor indoor air quality, a HEPA filter should be your first option! HEPA filters are a simple solution that can make a significant impact on the overall air cleanliness, and installation only requires a few minutes.
#2: Invest in an Air Purifier
Investing in a high-quality air purifier is one of the most effective ways to significantly improve indoor air quality over time. Air purification systems work by removing harmful particles such as dust, pollen, smoke, and even volatile organic compounds that can contribute to poor air quality.
While air purifier units are readily available for homeowners to set up themselves, choosing a professionally installed system offers superior efficiency. Regardless of your choice, an air purifier in your home is a smart investment that enhances air quality and supports better health.
#3: Install a Germicidal UV Light
Installing a germicidal UV light is another highly effective way to disinfect the air in your home. These small devices are designed to be placed within your existing HVAC ventilation or ductwork, where they use powerful ultraviolet (UV) light to neutralize harmful particles and even bacteria or viruses in a very convenient and efficient way.
The UV light works by penetrating the cells of these microorganisms, disrupting the DNA of these microorganisms and preventing them from reproducing which ultimately reduces the risk of airborne infections and improves overall air quality.
By continuously disinfecting the air as it circulates through the system, a germicidal UV light provides ongoing protection against harmful pathogens, making it a highly effective and low-maintenance solution for your home.
#4: Decorate With Houseplants
A little greenery can go a long way in improving air quality, and bringing plants into your home can be a natural and beautiful way to purify the air.
Some plants help to absorb carbon dioxide and release fresh oxygen, while also removing common indoor pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Certain plants are especially good at cleaning the air, making them great additions to any indoor space.
NASA’s Clean Air Study identified several houseplants that are particularly effective at purifying indoor air. The plants enhance the aesthetic of your home while also contributing to a healthier environment.
Here are some top air-purifying indoor plants:
- Snake Plant
- Peace Lily
- Aloe Vera
- Boston Fern
- English Ivy
- Spider Plant
#5: Use Your Kitchen Exhaust Fan
One often-overlooked way to disinfect the air in your home is by using your kitchen exhaust fan while cooking. Turning on your kitchen’s exhaust fan or opening a window while cooking can help draw these pollutants outside and prevent them from circulating through your home.
Cooking, particularly on a gas stove, is one of the biggest sources of indoor pollution, releasing harmful particles and gases into the air. These appliances emit unsafe levels of:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Methane gas
Ensuring proper ventilation while cooking can significantly reduce the amount of indoor air pollution and help maintain a healthier space for you and your family.
#6: Set the HVAC Fan to ‘Auto’
A common misconception among homeowners is that keeping the HVAC fan running continuously will improve air circulation and, in turn, air quality. However, running the fan constantly can lead to higher indoor humidity levels, which may promote mold and mildew growth.
To improve air quality and maintain a healthier home, it is best to set the HVAC fan to ‘auto’ rather than running it continuously.
When set to ‘auto’, the fan only activates when the system is heating or cooling. This ensures the air is circulated efficiently without overloading the system or increasing humidity.
#7: Reduce Indoor Air Pollution
Reducing indoor air pollution is a key step in creating a healthier home environment, and one of the easiest ways to do this is by choosing low-VOC (volatile organic compound cleaning) products. Traditional cleaning supplies often contain harsh chemicals that release VOCs into the air, contributing to poor air quality and potential respiratory issues.
It is also important to limit the use of scented candles, air fresheners, and incense, as these products often contain synthetic fragrances and chemicals that can pollute the air.
#8: Regularly Clean Vents and Ductwork
Regularly cleaning your vents and ductwork is an essential step in maintaining good indoor air quality. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends air duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years. Over time, dust, debris, and allergens can accumulate in your air conditioning and heating system filters, causing them to circulate contaminants throughout your home.
By cleaning or replacing these filters regularly, you can prevent this buildup and ensure that your system is working efficiently. If you’ve noticed an increase in dust or musty odors, it may be a sign that your air ducts need a more thorough cleaning. Removing deeper layers of dirt, mold, or other
#9: Open the Doors and Windows
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Opening your doors and windows is a quick and easy way to significantly improve indoor air quality.
Even just cracking open a window for a few minutes each day allows fresh outdoor air to circulate and push out trapped pollutants. This simple act helps replace stale air with cleaner, oxygen-rich air, which can reduce the buildup of harmful particles, allergens, and chemicals in your home.
This is especially important when cooking, as cooking—particularly with a gas stove—may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide into the air.
Similarly, using cleaning chemicals, air fresheners, or even scented candles may introduce potentially harmful particles and gases. By letting in fresh air, you’re naturally ventilating your home, diluting these pollutants, and creating a healthier environment. It’s an easy, eco-friendly way to maintain a cleaner and more comfortable indoor space without the need for expensive equipment or complicated solutions.
#10: Don’t Smoke Indoors
One of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality and protect the health of everyone in your home is to eliminate smoking indoors—whether it is cigarettes or cannabis.
Secondhand smoke is a well-known health hazard that has more than 7,000 chemicals that are toxic or carcinogenic. Studies have shown that exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and even cancer.
Even after smoking has stopped, harmful residues—known as thirdhand smoke—can remain on furniture, carpets, and walls, still affecting air quality. By eliminating smoking indoors, you are taking a crucial step in ensuring a healthier home.
#11: Switch to Hardwood Flooring
Switching to hardwood flooring is an effective way to improve indoor air quality. It is especially recommended for households prone to dust, allergens, and other airborne particles because it may reduce the accumulation of dust, allergens, and other particles.
Unlike carpets, which can trap dust, pet dander, and pollen, hardwood floors are much easier to clean and maintain. Homes with carpets tend to have higher levels of dust mites and other allergens which can contribute to asthma and other respiratory issues.
This makes hardwood floors much easier to clean and maintain. Regular sweeping or mopping is all it takes to remove dust and dirt, preventing them from circulating in the air when disturbed.
With hardwood floors, you will significantly reduce the potential for these allergens to thrive, leading to a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment. Plus, hardwood floors often require fewer chemical cleaning products, further minimizing your exposure to harmful VOCs and other toxins commonly found in cleaning supplies.
Overall, this simple upgrade can have a major impact on your home’s air quality and the well-being of your family.
#12: Utilize PurAyr Technology From Pure Environmental
PurAyr technology from Pure Environmental is a cutting-edge solution for disinfecting the air and surfaces in your home. PurAyr is an advanced and environmentally friendly method to eradicate odors, bacteria, and VOCs using a process known as the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP).
PurAyr harnesses the power of UV light and titanium dioxide nanoparticles to generate oxygen-rich gases that oxidize and neutralize airborne and surface contaminants breaking them down into simple, harmless elements.
This residue-free process is fast, efficient, and chemical-free! It improves air quality by eliminating odors at their source with a natural, powerful, and sustainable way to purify your living spaces.
Pure Environmental: 100% Natural Indoor Air Solutions in Portland and Seattle
Are you tired of struggling with respiratory issues? Are you ready to take your family’s health to the next level? Pure Environmental is here to help you!
At Pure Environmental, we specialize in cutting-edge solutions like our PurAyr technology to eliminate odors, bacteria, and airborne contaminants. We create a healthier, fresher living environment for you!
We understand that every home is unique, which is why we offer free estimates tailored to your specific needs. Do not wait—reach out today for a free consultation, and let us help you create a home that is not only cleaner but more enjoyable to live in.