How to Purify the Air in Your Home

Whether you're out and about or chilling at home, the quality of the air you breathe is important to your health and well-being. Things like furniture, carpet, scented candles, air fresheners, and cleaning products can expose your home to harmful chemicals that can be a health risk to your family.

In this blog, we've compiled ways you can improve the indoor air quality in your home.

1.  Essential Oil Diffusers

Essential oil diffusers don't just ooze out a sweet aroma; they're also great for reducing indoor air pollution! They disperse the essential oils into the air, filling the house with a nice fragrance that lets you de-stress and unwind after a long day while helping to clean the air. Simply place it in a room and let it do its thing. If you want to take it a step further, why not research the other benefits essential oils can have for your health?

2.  Indoor Plants

Thanks to a NASA experiment in 1989, we know that indoor plants are natural air cleaners and can help filter certain air pollutants in your home. Plants use sunlight and the carbon dioxide we breathe out to photosynthesise, making food for themselves and releasing fresh oxygen for us to breathe. So put one (or twelve) houseplants around the home, and your family can benefit from breathing naturally high-quality air.

3.  Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles ionise and neutralise toxic particulate matter in the air and release an amazing scent, making them a natural air purifier for your home. They burn at a snail's pace without releasing nasty chemicals, so you won't have to worry about replacing them too often. Place them anywhere around the home, and breathe in that clean air.

4.  Open a Window

What is the most cost-effective way to combat indoor air pollution? Crack open some windows! Opening windows daily allows fresh air to circulate throughout the house, flushing out harmful gases, particles, and chemicals to create a healthier living space.

5.  Turn up the Air-Conditioning

Air conditioners are great home air purifiers because they run the air they pull from the outdoors through an air filter. The filter captures pollen and other pollutants lingering in the air and pumps out clean, cool air into your home. Just remember to change the filter regularly so that it stays in top condition for purifying the air for your family.

6.  Air Purifier

The fans in an air purifier suck in the indoor air, which goes through a HEPA filter, extracting any dust, bacteria, smoke, viruses and other harmful particles—and the fan pushes the purified air out into your room. Simply switch it on and check the state of the filters every few weeks to see if they need a bit of cleaning to keep doing their thing.

7.  Salt Lamps

Salt lamps are made from pink Himalayan salt. They are natural ionic air purifiers that absorb and neutralise the toxins in the air. These lamps also work wonders by easing allergies and asthma and can even be a mood booster. Their dim orange glow won't affect your sleep if you plan on leaving it on at night, so you can have peace of mind that your family is breathing good quality air without disrupting your sleep.

8.  Activated Charcoal

If you're after something odourless that absorbs and eliminates toxins in your home, you're in luck, as activated charcoal (also known as active carbon) is a natural air purifier. You'd typically find this in the filter of air purifiers, so you have a good idea of just how well they absorb odours and harmful gases. They last for around 3 to 6 months, depending on the air quality of your home, after which you simply replace them regularly and carry on breathing clean, fresh air.

9.  Vacuum and Clean Regularly

Carpets, rugs, sofas and other upholstered furniture harbour dust, grime, dirt, pet dander, dust mites and trap any toxins and pollutants lingering in the air. Make sure to give your home a regular clean—from wiping down surfaces to getting into your carpets with your Rug Doctor machine for that extra deep clean.

Stubborn toxins and particles can get stuck so deep within your carpets that a regular vacuum simply won't cut it. You should deep-clean your carpets at least once a year, if not more, depending on the number of people living in the household and whether you have pets that shed hair.

Considering we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, improving your home's air quality is essential for preventing health issues like respiratory problems and headaches. With these nine ways to purify the air in your home, you'll have the tools to improve the indoor air quality for the health and well-being of your family.

Updated July 15, 2025

Author: Gina Gibbs

Gina is the Business Manager at Rug Doctor NZ. With over 20 years at Rug Doctor, she's dedicated to helping New Zealanders keep their homes clean and healthy. Outside of work, Gina enjoys hiking, reading, and enjoying Vietnamese and Asian fusion cuisine. Oh, and let's not forget her expertise in cleaning up after everyone, especially her two kids!