One of the disadvantages to living in a big city is undeniably air pollution. Cities like London have actively been battling said problem by planting more than 300 000 trees since 2016. While this hasn't resolved the problem fully, it's definitely a step in the right direction.

But fighting the outside pollution is just half the battle. Indoor air pollution is arguably even more serious in comparison. In this article we've compiled a list of natural ways you can easily improve indoor air quality.

Ventilate well

It might sound like a no-brainer, but aerating your property well is the main way to better indoor air quality. It's also a great way to tackle unpleasant odours and stale smells. There's literally no downside to it and it's absolutely free.

Times when leaving windows open is a must is during cooking and when you're cleaning the property. Neglecting to do that will pollute the air inside your property quite noticeably. During warmer seasons, it's best to sleep with a window left slightly open - trust us, you'll feel better in the morning!

Groom your pet

Having furry friends at home can make our everyday life more enjoyable and less stressful. What all pet-owners can agree on, however, is that cleaning after them is often a pain. And we're not here to talk about cleaning up messes, but rather pet dander and pet hair.

Pet dander is essentially the dead skill cells from your pet, which are everywhere in a pet-owner's home. When inhaled, they can lead to increased coughing and other asthma-like symptoms. As for pet hairs, we all know what they look like and how tough it is to deal with them. Due to this, we recommend grooming your pet every other day, preferably outside if it's a dog, and cleaning your floors as well.

How to refresh air at home with natural products

Indoor plants

Having a few indoor plants is not only a nice decoration but also a natural air purifier. Spider plants for instance are known to reduce the levels of carbon monoxide and benzene. Having a few of them, somewhere close the gas stoves will indeed help you breathe fresh air.

Salt lamps

Another great way to improve indoor air quality and the look of your home is with Himalayan pink salt lamps. Whoever owns one knows that their main point isn't to light up the room, but rather to create an atmosphere. What many don't know, however, is that they pull toxins from the air and neutralize them. Surprisingly, said effect is not fully lost even when the lamp is turned off.

Vinager for fresh air.jpg

Beeswax candles

The romantic atmosphere candles can create is undeniable. Beeswax candles in particular are a natural product made from honeybees - they contain no toxics or chemicals. What other advantages do they have? They have a very high melting point, which makes them last longer; they don't release any soot and they usually drip less.

Beeswax candles also remove harmful chemicals from the air and are great to have in a home with asthma sufferers. And even if you do not have any breathing problems, consider lighting a couple of them occasionally during dinner, for example. As a side note, they don't really smell of anything while lit, but once blown out, a natural and pleasant smell can be felt.

Essential oils

Becoming quite popular in recent years, essential oils have been observed to clean the air by killing mould, mildew, bacteria and viruses. As long as said harmful microorganisms are airborne, they do not stand a chance. Just make sure to use burners placed around your home for maximum effect. The ones with such benefits are: tea tree, lemon, grapefruit, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, oregano and a few more.

Cleaning products

Use natural cleaning products

If you ever cleaned your home without opening windows, you should be aware of how difficult it becomes to breathe inside. That's because the store-bought chemicals, which we all use, are full of toxics harmful not just to bacteria, but to ourselves as well. Today, we are here to tell you that it's not impossible to go green.

Baking soda and white vinegar in particular are eco-friendly odour removal products. They can be used separately, and they can also be combined to form a cleaning paste. If you've ever searched for natural stain and smell removal remedies, it's very likely that you're already aware of this.

As we've now established how to refresh air at home with natural products, let's look into preventing unpleasant smells at home.

Why it's important to clean your air conditioner?

Assuming your a/c's filters are reusable, you can easily wash them with some hot water and fairy liquid. Some a/c filters, however, can only be replaced. The respective store where you bought the unit from should inform you on how often to actually have them changed. And if you do a good job of keeping your a/c clean, the chances of it needing repairs will also be very low.

Apart from keeping the bill low, cleaning your a/c will noticeably improve indoor air quality. They're built to heat up or cool down the rooms, and also to filtrate indoor air. Dirty and clogged filters do reduce the amount of airflow and allow for harmful airborne particles to go in the property.

Why you need to check for leaks?

A very common problem for London homeowners nowadays are leaks. Leaks tend to occur due to higher than average rainfall, and incorrect housing construction. When there is insufficient distance between properties, overflow is much more likely.

Failing to notice a minor leak can lead to mould, which poses obvious health risks. Failing to fix a major leak, has the same and even bigger consequences. Due to this, it's vital to have your property (and building) checked for leaks once or twice a year.``

Why you have to have your carpets professionally cleaned?

Carpets are known to be a great dust collector - this can be a plus, but also a real downside if you don't maintain them. Needless to say, hoovering them once a week and dealing with stains as they happen is key to keeping them fresh for longer. What you also have to consider, however, is calling in experts once or twice a year.

Most manufacturers of carpets recommend steam cleaning as a way to remove stains, smells and allergens (dust mites), which are bound to be found in any dirty carpet. Pet-owners and parents alike should consider using professional carpet cleaning services even 3 to 4 times a year.

Why you shouldn't use air fresheners?

Most commercial air fresheners contain chemicals, which are linked to cancer, allergies and asthma. They don't actually remove odour molecules - they only cover them up briefly. By this point, you should be aware of the natural alternatives (beeswax candles and essential oils), so make your choice and stop putting your health at risk.