12 tips for reducing air pollution in your home

We all know outdoor pollution is a problem, but the chances are you're not too worried about the quality of air in your home.

However, many of the things we do to make our homes more comfortable, such as decorating, lighting candles and using air fresheners, can increase our exposure to pollutants.

Read on to discover what steps you can take to reduce pollution in your home.

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 1. Open your windows – but be strategic

Regularly opening your windows helps remove polluting particles from your home and brings in fresh, outdoors air. Even in winter, when humidity tends to be high, try to resist the urge to keep all your windows tightly shut. 

You need to be strategic about when you open your windows, though. If you live near a busy road, keep them closed at peak traffic times.

According to research by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), pollution from A-roads, railway stations, motorways and industrial plants can release harmful particles that stay in the body for up to three months.

If you suffer from hay fever, don't open your windows in the morning, when the pollen count is highest. BESA recommends monitoring your local pollution levels, keeping windows open for longer on days when pollution levels are lower and for less time when pollution levels are higher. You can check pollution levels on this interactive pollution forecast map, maintained by DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Hay fever symptoms and treatment options explained: Allergies giving you grief? We give you the options for symptom relief.

 2. Use your cooker hood and extractor fans

Cooking produces grease, smoke, smells and moisture. Switch on your cooker hood and fans during and after cooking – even if you find them annoyingly noisy – to clear the air of oil and other ingredients that have evaporated. This will also limit damage to your walls and kitchen cabinets. You can find more on kitchen pollution in our piece is your kitchen more polluted than your high street?

If you can, get an extracting cooker hood, sometimes called a vented hood or ducted hood, rather than a recirculating one. Extracting hoods send the air out of your home through the wall or roof, while recirculating models filter the air through a carbon filter and recirculate it inside your kitchen. If you have a recirculating hood, make sure you clean and change the filter regularly.

You could also install an extractor fan in any room where you want to control humidity, gas or smoke. An extractor fan in your bathroom can pull moist air out of the room, preventing mould spores growing. It can also remove the after effects of using toiletries and cleaning products. Find out more in our piece how to buy the best bathroom extractor.

We test all the cooker hoods we review in extraction mode, which is a more effective way to remove steam and smells. See our cooker hood reviews to find the best one for you.

 3. Don't block existing ventilation

Avoid blocking existing permanent ventilation features, such as air bricks and trickle vents on windows. They allow air to circulate naturally when windows and doors are closed, as well as allowing oxygen in, moderating internal temperatures, reducing the risk of condensation and preventing pollutants building up inside.

In 2017, we carried out an investigation into indoor air pollution in three houses: one from the Victorian era, one from the 1950s and one new build. We performed a range of everyday tasks in the houses – vacuuming, cleaning, using air fresheners and candles, cooking a fry-up and burning toast – and measured the air quality in each house before and afterwards.

We found the highest levels of air pollution were in the 1950s house, where home improvements such as cavity wall and roof insulation, double glazing and other energy-efficiency measures had made the house overly airtight.

Struggling with damp? Read our guide on how to stop condensation.

 4. Vacuum frequently

Vacuuming is important for removing polluting particles. The best vacuum cleaners will pick up twice as much dust as the worst, and they’re much better at stopping particles leaking back out into your room.

Carpets can harbour allergens, so it's important to vacuum these often, especially if you're in a rental property. If you suffer from allergies and have the option to, it's a good idea to replace your carpets with solid flooring, which will be much easier to clean.

It's particularly important to vacuum if you have pets, as pet dander can add to the air pollution in your home. Dogs and cats naturally shed old hair – some twice a year, some all the time. Pollen can also attach itself to your pet's fur and be carried indoors, which isn't ideal if you're a hay fever sufferer, so keep your pet off your bed if you can. You can find more tips in our piece how to remove pet hair.

Consider the following when choosing a vacuum cleaner:

Cylinder or upright – Cylinder models are useful for stairs and hard-to-reach places, but many struggle with pet hair. Uprights cover large areas of floor more easily, but the brush bar in the floor head can get tangled easily.  

Cordless or corded – A cordless vacuum might make quick clear-ups easier, especially if you opt for one that converts into a handheld vac. However, their smaller dust capacity will mean more frequent bin emptying and filter cleaning. 

Bagged or bagless – Bagged vacuum cleaners can protect you from contact with allergens, although you’ll have the ongoing cost of replacement bags. If you go for a bagless model, empty it outside if you can, and use gloves and a mask if you have serious allergies.

Extra tools – Some vacs come with extra nozzles and tools, which can be good for pet hair. Mini turbo tools with a rotating brush bar can help by picking up fluff in places where you can’t use the main floor head, such as sofas or stairs.

However often you clean, you'll never get your house free of dust, but you can reduce it. Don't wear shoes indoors, wash bedding regularly and take non-washable items outside to shake clean.

If you're shopping for a Best Buy, browse our vacuum cleaner reviews. And while dusting and vacuuming can be tedious tasks, we've got tips to help with the household chores you hate.

5. Don't rely on plants to purify your air

Plants are beautiful, and can make a home environment feel calmer and more pleasant. However, don't expect too much of your plants when it comes to air quality. 

Plants can reduce pollution to some degree, but at home you would need large numbers of house plants, cared for under optimum conditions (including with ideal potting soil, ideal temperature and more light than you'd typically get at home), to make a significant difference.

Houseplants may be one of the 7 everyday things you're forgetting to clean.

6. Be on the lookout for damp and mould

High humidity levels can cause respiratory problems and provide a perfect breeding ground for mould spores, dust mites, clothes moths, fleas, cockroaches and other nasties. 

If you've got asthma or a weakened immune system, you should take particular care to keep humidity levels in your home in check. 

When moisture in the air meets cold surfaces, such as windows and walls, it condenses. 

To avoid your home becoming damp and mouldy, avoid hanging wet washing indoors if you can. If you must dry your washing indoors, open a window so water vapour can escape. Alternatively, use a dehumidifier and close the windows and doors of that room.

Use a clothes airer rather than hanging your washing directly on the radiator. Putting clothes on the radiator can cause condensation, add to your heating bills and damaging the delicate fibres in your clothes. You can find out more in our piece are heated airers worth it?

Set up your clothes horse in the sunniest spot in your home, unless that’s your bedroom, as you should avoid drying clothes in the room you sleep in.

Don’t put damp clothes back in your wardrobe, as it's very hard to remove mould from a wardrobe.

If you already have a lung condition triggered by mould or a mould allergy, and you discover mould at home, charity Asthma + Lung UK advises you should:

• Find out what’s causing the damp, such as leaks, or condensation from cooking, showering or drying clothes indoors
• Don’t try to get rid of mould by yourself  - ask a friend to help
• Get mould removed by a specialist if it covers more than a square metre or if it’s caused by problems with the building itself, or sewage.
• Report leaks or mould if you’re renting. Shelter has information about talking to your landlord. You may also be able to get a housing assessment from your local council's environmental health department. 

Look at Which?'s Trusted Traders reviews to find qualified damp and mould experts in your area.

A dehumidifier can help to keep your home's humidity levels in check and prevent mould developing – head to our dehumidifier reviews to find out more. And if you want to find the best heated clothes airers, consult our reviews.

 7. Ventilate when cleaning and decorating

When painting, decorating and cleaning, make sure that the room is well ventilated. Chemicals found in everyday products, such as paints, aerosols and cleaning products with limonene and pinene (familiar lemon and pine smells), can emit VOCs. 

Exposure to very high levels of VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as headaches and nausea. In the long term, they can also cause damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.

If you've got asthma, try to look for paint that is labelled 'low in VOCs' to minimise your exposure. After decorating, wait for paint and solvent smells to subside before using the room again.

Reduce your use of easily inhaled sprays, aerosols and furniture polish (dust with a damp cloth or electrostatically charged duster instead). Scented candles and air fresheners can also be a culprit for airborne irritants; if there's an unpleasant odour in your house, track down and deal with the source rather than trying to drown it out.

Thinking of redecorating? Browse our guide to the best washable paints. And for more tips, read our piece how to paint a room.

 8. Use less polluting cleaning products

Consider switching to ways of cleaning that are less polluting than household aerosols and sprays.

E-cloths are microfibre cloths designed to remove more than 99% of bacteria. All you need to do is rinse the cloth and wring it out, draw it across your dirty surfaces and wash it afterwards with hot water or in the washing machine. 

White vinegar can be great for some jobs, such as descaling kettles and shower heads, and leaving streak-free windows. Don't use vinegar to clean mirrors, stone or granite kitchen countertops, or wooden or stone flooring, as it can make them lose their shine. Don't use it for knives, washing machines or dishwashers, either, as it might cause damage. You can read more in our piece 8 things you really shouldn't clean with vinegar.

Baking soda works wonders for stains and smells, it's non-abrasive and saves you having to scrub or use bleach. You can use it to wipe away old food residues from the inside of a fridge, for example, or you can add it to pots and pans to help lift stubborn, crusty foods.

Be aware that in marketing, words such as 'green', 'natural' and 'eco friendly' are often meaningless, as there's no regulation around their use.

If using shop-bought cleaning products, choose cream cleaners over spray cleaners, and scentless or low-scent products if you can. The less fragrance, the less reactive chemistry there is likely to be.

You can have a sparkling home while being kind to the environment - our experts have found 6 tips for sustainable cleaning.

 9. Don't use unvented heaters

Avoid using unvented (also known as vent-free) appliances such as freestanding gas and paraffin heaters. These might sound convenient, as they don't require a vent pipe or chimney, making them easy to install, but they release a number of harmful pollutants into your room. 

All gas heaters, even when burning properly, produce carbon dioxide (CO2). When carbon dioxide builds up, it results in drowsiness, dizziness and headaches, creating an impression of a stuffy, closed house.

Seeking to choose an electric heater instead? Find the 10 best electric heaters from our tests.

 10. Be aware of the risks of wood-burning stoves

Unless you rely on a wood-burning stove for heating, think carefully before buying one. Burning wood can lead to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. 

Burning solid fuels like wood emits ultra-fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5: the air pollutant with the greatest impact on human health. There is no safe level of PM2.5, and even short term exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of early deaths from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Children growing up exposed to PM2.5 are more likely to have reduced lung function and can develop asthma. 

Although new Ecodesign regulations came into force in January 2022, many scientists remain extremely concerned about the impact even of the new wood-burning stoves on our indoor air quality. 

A report from the European Environment Bureau showed that even Euro-certified 'Eco-stoves' produce 750 times more PM2.5 per unit of energy produced than a modern HGV.

If you already have a wood-burning stove or fire, try to reduce your, and your neighbours' exposure to pollution, by burning only untreated, fully dried wood with a moisture content of 20% or less. This will be labelled as 'ready to burn'. Wet logs and house coal produce far more particulate matter than dry logs and low-sulphur smokeless fuels, such as anthracite coal. You can read more in our piece wood burning stoves: pollution and health impacts.

Make sure the flue damper is open before you use it. Clean the flue and chimney often so smoke has a means to escape.

Keep the fire constant, so the flue stays at the right temperature. Charities such as Asthma + Lung UK advise people with lung conditions not to use wood burners.

For more tips on eco-friendly living, sign up to our free Sustainability newsletter

 11. Don't smoke indoors

You don't need us to tell you about the dangers of smoking. You might be surprised to learn, though, that when you smoke, more smoke gets released into the air – where others can breathe it in – than goes into your lungs. 

The NHS says second-hand smoke (the smoke you exhale, plus the sidestream of smoke from your cigarette end) puts your family at risk from the same diseases as smokers, such as lung cancer and heart disease. Children living in a smoky house also have a greater chance of developing asthma, breathing problems and other allergies.

Does your smoke alarm need replacing? Read our smoke alarm reviews.

 12. Consider an air purifier

Buying an air purifier certainly shouldn't be the first or only thing you do to reduce your indoor air pollution: first, deal with the problem at source by minimising any pollution you're creating.

But, as well as taking the above steps, you could consider an air purifier. This could be particularly useful if you have allergies or respiratory problems, live near a major road or industrial facility, or you're often exposed to second-hand smoke or odours you have no control over.

Air purifiers aren't perfect as they don't offer a solution to the problem of air pollution. But they can reduce the level of pollution you breathe in. Bear in mind they'll only be able to clean the air in one room rather than your whole house.

• Choose one with a HEPA filter if you want to remove particles such as dust, pet dander and smoke particles from the air. Filters with names such as 'HEPA-type' aren't held to the same standards of filtration efficiency. 

• Look for one that comes with an activated carbon filter if you need to remove smells or gaseous pollutants. A HEPA filter won't filter out these smells as they only remove particles. 

• Close the doors and windows in the room where the air purifier is so you're not letting in more pollution for it to tackle.

We test each air purifier with a range of particles and gas pollutants, so we can tell you which do the best job of removing these pollutants. Discover the