It is easy to assume that closing the doors and windows protects your family from polluted outdoor air. Unfortunately, the air inside a home may contain its own mixture of particles, fragrances, cleaning chemicals, cooking emissions, smoke, biological contaminants and gases released by household materials.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, where concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.

Improving indoor air is therefore not about purchasing one product and ignoring everything else. The most effective approach combines:

• Removing or reducing pollutant sources
• Bringing in appropriate outdoor air
• Controlling moisture and mold
• Capturing airborne particles
• Reducing odors and gaseous contaminants
• Using supplemental air-purification technology appropriately

Why Can Indoor Air Become More Polluted Than Outdoor Air?

Outdoor pollution does not simply stop at the front door. Smoke, pollen, dust, vehicle exhaust and fine particles can enter through doors, windows, ventilation systems and small gaps in the building envelope.

At the same time, everyday indoor activities create additional pollutants. Cooking, burning candles, using a fireplace, cleaning, applying cosmetics, renovating and operating certain appliances can all affect indoor air.

Modern buildings may also be constructed to limit unwanted air leakage. That can improve energy efficiency, but without adequate ventilation, indoor pollutants and moisture may remain trapped and become more concentrated.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

Volatile Organic Compounds and Household Off-Gassing

Volatile organic compounds, commonly called VOCs, are gases emitted by certain solids, liquids, products and processes. Some VOCs can cause short-term irritation, while repeated or substantial exposure to particular compounds may be associated with longer-term health concerns.

The EPA reports that concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors than outdoors and may be up to ten times higher inside. Levels can rise during painting, refinishing, cleaning, remodeling and the use of products containing solvents or fragrances.

Potential Sources of VOCs and Indoor Chemicals

Do Air Fresheners Really Make the Air Cleaner?

A pleasant fragrance is not evidence of clean air. Many sprays, plug-ins, scented candles and fragranced products add chemicals to the air while masking the underlying source of an odor.

Fragrances can be especially uncomfortable for people who are sensitive to strong odors or who live with asthma, migraines, allergies or other respiratory concerns. Instead of repeatedly covering an odor, determine whether it comes from moisture, spoiled food, drains, smoke, pets, garbage, carpeting, upholstery or inadequate ventilation.

A Better Odor-Control Process

1. Locate the source. Check drains, fabrics, garbage, moisture, pet areas and ventilation.
2. Remove contaminated material. Clean or discard the item creating the odor.
3. Correct moisture problems. Repair leaks and dry damp materials promptly.
4. Ventilate safely. Exhaust the room when outdoor air quality is acceptable.
5. Use appropriate air treatment. Choose technology based on whether the concern is particles, gases, odors or a combination.

How to Improve the Air Inside Your Home

1. Improve Ventilation When Outdoor Conditions Are Safe

Ventilation replaces stale indoor air with outdoor air and helps reduce the concentration of pollutants generated inside the home. Open windows or doors when outdoor air quality, temperature, humidity and security conditions make it appropriate.

Use exhaust fans that vent outdoors while cooking and bathing. A range hood is particularly important when cooking with gas or when frying, searing or using high-temperature cooking methods that produce smoke and fine particles.

During wildfire smoke, heavy traffic pollution, high-pollen periods or extreme humidity, opening the windows may make indoor conditions worse. In those situations, keep windows closed as needed and rely on appropriate mechanical filtration and air circulation.

2. Control Pollution at the Source

Source control is often more effective than trying to remove a pollutant after it has spread throughout the home. Reducing the number of fragranced, solvent-based and smoke-producing products used indoors can immediately reduce the burden placed on ventilation and air-cleaning equipment.

• Do not smoke or vape indoors.
• Use low-emission paints, finishes and adhesives when possible.
• Store fuels, pesticides and strong solvents outside the living area.
• Avoid unnecessary plug-ins, fragrance sprays and heavily scented candles.
• Follow product labels and never mix household cleaning chemicals.
• Use lids and outdoor-venting exhaust fans while cooking.
• Remove shoes at the door to reduce tracked-in dirt, pesticides and outdoor particles.

3. Reduce Dust and Airborne Particles

Dust is a mixture of fibers, soil, skin cells, pollen, pet material and particles that settle onto floors and surfaces. Cleaning methods that capture dust are preferable to methods that simply push it back into the air.

• Vacuum with a well-sealed machine and an appropriate high-efficiency filter.
• Damp-dust hard surfaces rather than using a dry feather duster.
• Wash bedding regularly.
• Clean return-air grilles and replace HVAC filters as recommended.
• Keep pet sleeping areas and fabrics clean.
• Reduce clutter that collects dust and makes surfaces difficult to clean.

4. Control Moisture and Indoor Humidity

Excess moisture can encourage mold growth and dust-mite activity. Very dry air, on the other hand, may irritate the nose, throat, eyes and skin. Use a humidity monitor and manage indoor moisture according to your climate and building conditions.

• Repair plumbing, roof and foundation leaks promptly.
• Use bathroom exhaust fans during and after bathing.
• Dry wet building materials and carpeting as quickly as possible.
• Use a dehumidifier in persistently damp spaces when appropriate.
• Do not operate a humidifier without regular cleaning and water replacement.

5. Address Combustion Safety

Air-cleaning equipment does not replace working smoke alarms, carbon-monoxide alarms, appliance maintenance or professional inspection of combustion equipment.

• Maintain fuel-burning appliances according to manufacturer instructions.
• Never operate a generator, grill or vehicle inside an attached garage or enclosed area.
• Install carbon-monoxide alarms in appropriate locations.
• Have fireplaces, chimneys, furnaces and venting systems inspected as needed.

6. Enjoy Houseplants—but Keep Their Role in Perspective

Houseplants add beauty, natural color and a sense of connection with nature. Laboratory studies have shown that plants and their associated soil microorganisms can interact with certain airborne chemicals under controlled conditions.

However, an ordinary number of potted plants should not be relied upon to clean the air in a full-size occupied home. Real buildings have far greater air volume, continuing pollution sources and constant air exchange. Plants work best as part of a pleasant indoor environment—not as a replacement for ventilation, filtration, moisture control or pollutant-source removal.

Keep plant soil from remaining excessively wet, because persistently damp soil may support mold or fungus-gnat activity. Also confirm that each plant is safe for children and pets in your household.

How Breathe Safe® Supports a More Complete Air-Quality Strategy

Plasma-ion technology illustration.

Breathe Safe® is a compact, portable plasma and ion-generating air-purification device developed for use in a person’s immediate environment. Unlike a large room appliance that remains in one location, Breathe Safe® can be moved between a home, office, vehicle, hotel room or Sauna Fix® session.

The device is designed to generate a controlled combination of positive and negative plasma ions rather than relying only on negative-ion output. According to Creatrix Solutions product information, Breathe Safe® generates more than 23 million plasma ions.

The unit may also be connected to a compatible 20,000 mAh power bank, making it easier to use when a standard electrical outlet is unavailable.

Potential Advantages of the Portable Design

• Small enough to move from room to room
• Suitable for placement near a desk or personal sitting area
• Useful during travel or in temporary environments
• Compatible with supported portable power-bank use
• Designed for focused use near the personal breathing zone
• Can complement—not replace—ventilation, cleaning and source control

Breathe Safe® or Ionic Refresher: Which One Should You Use?

Breathe Safe® and Ionic Refresher are designed for different roles. The best option depends on whether you want focused portable use, continuous operation in a specific room or a combination of both.

Neither device eliminates the need to remove pollution sources, correct water damage, maintain HVAC equipment or ventilate appropriately.

Room-by-Room Indoor Air Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions About Purifying Indoor Air

Create a More Complete Indoor Air Strategy

Cleaner indoor air begins by reducing pollution sources, improving ventilation, controlling moisture and selecting air-treatment tools that match your environment. Breathe Safe® offers a portable way to add plasma-ion air purification near the spaces where you live, work, travel and relax.

Educational Resources

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Indoor Air Quality
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Volatile Organic Compounds and Indoor Air
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Indoor Air Quality Information