From Ventilation to Data Monitoring: 5 Practical Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

The Invisible Threat to Your Health

Did you know that indoor air pollution can be 2–5 times more severe than outdoor pollution?

Indoor air quality has a direct impact on our health, sleep quality, and overall comfort. Pollutants such as formaldehyde, dust, pollen, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) often exist silently inside our homes.

The good news is that improving indoor air quality doesn’t necessarily require high costs or major renovations. With a few simple, sustainable practices—and the help of appropriate air quality monitors—we can better understand our indoor environment and take targeted actions to improve it.

In this article, we’ll share five simple and practical methods to improve indoor air quality in daily life, and further explain how air quality monitors can turn subjective “feelings” into real data, giving every improvement a solid basis and helping your family breathe with greater peace of mind.

1. Ventilation – The Simplest and Most Effective Air Purification Method

Natural ventilation is the most economical and direct way to improve indoor air quality.

• Open windows regularly: Ventilate for at least 15–30 minutes daily, especially in the early morning when outdoor air is usually fresher.

• Create cross-ventilation: Open windows on opposite sides of a room to create airflow and speed up the removal of pollutants.

• Ventilate while cooking: Cooking fumes contain large amounts of PM2.5 and harmful substances, making ventilation essential.

• Use exhaust fans: Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans help remove moisture and airborne pollutants effectively.

Tip: When outdoor air pollution is high, avoid ventilating during peak hours. Early mornings or after rainfall are usually better options.

2. Introduce Indoor Plants – Nature’s Air Purifiers

Certain indoor plants not only enhance aesthetics but can also help absorb airborne pollutants.

Recommended air-purifying plants:

• Spider Plant: Effective at absorbing formaldehyde and carbon monoxide; easy to maintain.

• Snake Plant: Releases oxygen at night, making it suitable for bedrooms.

• Peace Lily: Removes benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

• English Ivy: Particularly effective against mold and formaldehyde.

Placement tips:

• Place 1–2 medium-sized plants per 10 square meters to form a small “plant purification zone.”

• Keep plants healthy and clean their leaves regularly for optimal performance.

Note: Plants have limited purification capacity and should be combined with other methods. Excessive plant density may reduce oxygen levels and increase indoor CO₂ concentration.

3. Regular Cleaning – Reduce Pollutants at the Source

Dust and allergens are among the biggest contributors to poor indoor air quality.

Efficient cleaning practices:

• Use microfiber mops and cloths to capture finer particles.

• Clean from top to bottom to avoid recontamination.

• Clean at least once a week; households with allergies should clean more frequently.

Bedding and fabric care:

• Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly in hot water (at least 55°C / 131°F) to eliminate dust mites.

• Wash curtains at least once per quarter.

• Consider allergen-resistant bedding covers.

Reduce clutter: Fewer items mean less dust accumulation, significantly improving indoor air quality.

4. Control Indoor Humidity – Prevent Mold and Dust Mites

Maintaining indoor humidity between 40% and 60% helps inhibit mold growth and dust mite reproduction.

• Use a dehumidifier: Especially important in humid regions or seasons, and in basements or bathrooms.

• Fix leaks promptly: Any water leakage can lead to mold growth within 24–48 hours.

• Ventilate after showering: Keep bathroom windows or exhaust fans running for at least 30 minutes.

Indoor drying tips:

• Dry clothes in well-ventilated areas.

• During rainy or monsoon seasons, use a dehumidifier instead of opening windows.

5. Choose and Use Air Purification Devices Wisely

For allergy sufferers or heavily polluted environments, air purifiers are an effective supplement.

How to choose an air purifier:

• Check the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) and ensure it matches the room size.

• Choose products with HEPA filters, which can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

• Consider noise levels, especially for bedroom use.

Proper use and maintenance:

• Place purifiers in areas with good airflow; avoid corners.

• Replace filters regularly, typically every 6–12 months.

• Continuous operation provides the best results; smart modes can help save energy.

Budget-friendly alternatives:

• Use air conditioners equipped with HEPA filters.

• DIY air purifiers (HEPA filter + box fan).

Turning “Feeling” Into Data: Why Air Quality Monitors Matter

While the methods above are effective, the biggest challenge in real life is determining how polluted indoor air actually is. This is where air quality monitors play a crucial role.

Air quality monitors are designed to quantify and visualize invisible pollutants, allowing you to clearly understand indoor air conditions and make data-driven decisions for improvement.

Based on usage scenarios, air quality monitors generally fall into three main categories:

1. Personal & Home Grade – Your Everyday Health Companion

Target users: Health-conscious families, allergy sufferers, new homeowners, and tech enthusiasts.

Key features:
These devices act like a personal “electronic nose,” focusing on ease of use, intuitive displays, and connectivity. They typically measure PM2.5, VOCs (such as formaldehyde), CO₂ (an indicator of ventilation), and temperature & humidity. Paired with mobile apps, they provide real-time data, historical trends, and alert notifications.

Typical brands:
Awair, uHoo, Airthings, Carefor CF-20DL, as well as consumer electronics brands like Xiaomi and Dyson, which integrate air monitoring into smart home products.

2. Commercial & Building Grade – The “Vital Signs Monitor” of Smart Buildings

Target users: Office buildings, schools, hotels, shopping malls, and organizations focused on employee well-being.

Key features:
These systems go beyond monitoring to enable management and optimization. In addition to basic parameters, advanced models can detect PM1, CO, NOx, pollen, and more. Downloadable data is often used for green building certifications such as WELL and LEED, as well as space utilization analysis.

Typical brands:
Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Siemens, and Carefor CF-60 PP SMART.

3. Industrial & Environmental Grade – Precision-Driven Environmental Authorities

Target users: Factory safety officers, environmental agencies, researchers, and government regulators.

Key features:
Designed for maximum accuracy and reliability, these instruments monitor specific industrial pollutants such as SO₂, H₂S, and specialized VOCs. They comply with strict national or industry regulations and are suitable for compliance reporting, pollution tracing, and enforcement. Built for durability, they perform reliably in harsh environments with high temperature or humidity.

Typical brands:
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Teledyne API, Ecotech, and CAREFOR CF-60 PP SMART—recognized authorities in this field and often part of official monitoring networks.

Final Thoughts: Improving Air Quality Is a Long-Term Commitment

Improving indoor air quality is not a one-time task. Ventilation, cleaning, humidity control, plants, and air purification devices are all effective—but the key to making them work long-term is continuously understanding the air itself.

Air pollution is often invisible, but it is not unmanageable. The true value of air quality monitors lies in transforming invisible pollutants into measurable, traceable, and comparable data, helping individuals and building managers determine whether problems exist, whether improvements are effective, and whether strategies need adjustment.

Whether you are a family focused on health or a commercial space aiming to meet WELL or LEED certification standards, understanding air data and respecting real-world usage scenarios are essential steps toward healthier and more sustainable environments.

When you begin to understand air through data and guide decisions with science,
healthy breathing is no longer just a feeling—it becomes a proven way of life.