Household Items That Could Be Harming Your Indoor Air Quality

When people think about pollution, it’s usually smokestacks, tailpipes, or city smog that comes to mind. The truth is, indoor air can be far more polluted than outdoor, and many don’t realize that the culprit could be something sitting right in their living room.

From the couch to the cleaning products under the sink, everyday household items and habits can quietly contribute to poor air quality, potentially affecting how people feel without them even realizing why. The air inside a home doesn’t move around much, especially during colder months when windows are kept shut. That means pollutants can linger, building up over time. When the ventilation system cycles that air through dusty ducts or past clogged filters, it only recirculates the problem. Understanding which items could be contributing to the issue—and how to reduce the impact—is a good first step toward breathing a little easier.

Cleaning Products And Scented Goods That Do More Harm Than Good

The pursuit of cleanliness often involves strong-smelling sprays, wipes, or chemical solutions that promise to kill germs and freshen up the air. What often goes unnoticed is that these same products release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into the air. These gases are emitted as soon as the bottle is opened and continue to linger long after the surface has been wiped down.

Many common cleaners, disinfectants, and air fresheners contain a cocktail of chemical ingredients. Even some labeled as “green” can still release VOCs, especially if they’re fragranced. Scented candles, plug-in deodorizers, and even laundry products often include synthetic fragrance compounds that don’t break down easily. Once airborne, these chemicals can interact with other elements in the environment, creating secondary pollutants that weren’t even in the original product.

For those who enjoy lighting candles or using room sprays, it’s not about swearing them off completely—it’s about being mindful of what’s in them. Choosing products made with natural essential oils and skipping anything that includes “fragrance” as a vague ingredient can make a difference over time.

Furniture, Flooring, And The Things You Can’t Smell

Furniture, carpet, and building materials are another surprising source of air quality problems. Many people aren’t aware that items made from pressed wood, particle board, or synthetic materials can release formaldehyde and other off-gassed chemicals long after they’ve left the showroom. Flame retardants used in cushions and upholstery, as well as adhesives in laminated wood, are often slow to break down. That means they continue to release fumes for months or even years.

Flooring can be an issue, too. Synthetic carpets are commonly treated with stain-resistant coatings and glues that contain VOCs. Vinyl flooring and certain laminates can also release phthalates and other harmful compounds over time. Even newly painted walls or refinished floors can put out low levels of chemicals well after they’ve dried to the touch.

Most of these materials don’t smell strong enough to raise alarms, which makes them easy to overlook. New furniture or flooring should be aired out as much as possible before being used regularly. Increasing ventilation during renovations, choosing low-emission materials, and using a purifier during the initial weeks can help cut down on lingering emissions from new furnishings.

Common Habits That Make It Worse

Sometimes it’s not the products themselves, but the little things people do without thinking that keep air quality from improving. For instance, keeping windows shut around the clock might seem like a good way to keep the temperature stable, but it also traps pollutants inside. Even when the weather isn’t perfect, opening windows now and then can give stale indoor air a chance to exchange with fresher outdoor air.

Another sneaky contributor? Dirty filters. Whether it's the HVAC system, portable purifiers, or even the vacuum cleaner, filters that go unchanged are basically useless. Instead of catching dust, allergens, and particles, they end up circulating them right back into the air. The same goes for dryer vents and ductwork. If they haven’t been cleaned in a long time, they can be loaded with lint, dust, and debris—some of which might be getting blown straight back into the house.

Clutter can play a role, too. Stacks of magazines, rarely used throw pillows, or forgotten boxes in a corner can collect dust, and that dust contains everything from dead skin cells to microscopic plastic fibers. In poorly ventilated rooms, even seemingly harmless habits like burning incense or using a wood-burning fireplace without proper airflow can cause a buildup of fine particles that are tough to get out once they’ve settled into carpets and soft surfaces.

Changing up daily routines to allow for more airflow and prioritizing filter changes on schedule can go a long way toward undoing some of the damage caused by these habits.

Simple Ways To Breathe A Bit Easier

Improving indoor air quality doesn’t require a major home renovation. Small changes can slowly shift the air environment in a better direction. One of the most low-effort options is to bring in a few houseplants. Certain varieties, like spider plants, peace lilies, or rubber trees, have been shown to help remove some toxins from the air. While they’re not a magic fix, they do contribute to a healthier indoor environment, especially when used alongside other improvements.

Upgrading the air filtration system can also make a noticeable difference. High-quality HEPA filters are designed to trap smaller particles than standard filters, including pollen, pet dander, and even some bacteria. These filters can be used in both HVAC systems and standalone purifiers placed in the most frequently used rooms. Keeping vents and ducts clean, especially after construction or home updates, helps make sure those filters aren’t fighting an uphill battle.

Humidity control matters, too. Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments, so using a dehumidifier in basements, laundry rooms, or bathrooms can help prevent those growths before they start. On the flip side, if the air feels too dry—particularly in winter—adding a humidifier with a clean water source can help maintain balance without encouraging mold growth.

Even changing a few habits, like removing shoes at the door or choosing fragrance-free personal care products, can lead to measurable improvements over time. Cleaner indoor air doesn’t come from one grand fix—it’s more about layering small, smart decisions that work together.

Many homes are full of hard-to-reach areas where pollutants settle and quietly impact air quality. Behind the walls, inside ductwork, deep within return vents, and around dryer vents are places most people simply can’t access without professional equipment. These hidden spaces collect dust, lint, mold spores, bacteria, and other kinds of residue from daily life.

If it’s been a while since your system was cleaned, or you’ve noticed more dust than usual, it might be time to reach out. The team at MN Duct Pros specializes in reaching the places you can’t, removing the buildup you don’t see, and helping you get closer to cleaner, healthier air. Contact us today to schedule your air duct or dryer vent cleaning.