Home ventilation

We spend most of the day indoors, so the quality of the air inside the home can directly affect our daily well-being. Dust, humidity, mold, tobacco smoke, strong odors, cleaning products, and inadequate ventilation can make the environment less comfortable and, for some people, may worsen symptoms such as sneezing, eye irritation, coughing, or a feeling of heaviness when breathing.

Taking care of indoor air quality does not necessarily require major changes. Often, a few simple actions repeated regularly can help reduce humidity, remove pollutants, and create a more pleasant environment for the whole family.

This material is for informational purposes and is intended to help create a cleaner and healthier environment at home. It does not replace diagnosis, advice, or treatment from healthcare professionals. If you have persistent symptoms, allergies, coughing, difficulty breathing, or other health concerns, consult a doctor or the appropriate healthcare professional.

Main steps

• 01
  Ventilate the rooms in your home regularly when outdoor conditions allow. Opening the windows for a few minutes during the day helps circulate the air, remove excess moisture, and reduce odors that build up indoors. Ventilation is especially useful after cooking, after showering, or when many people have spent time in one room.
• 02
  Open the windows or use the ventilation system when cleaning the bathroom or toilet. These areas produce more moisture and, if they are not properly ventilated, may encourage mold growth and the buildup of unpleasant odors. After showering, leave the ventilation running for a little longer if possible.
• 03
  Remove mold as soon as you see it and try to identify the source of the moisture causing it. Check walls, ceilings, corners, areas around windows, and surfaces that frequently remain damp. If mold keeps returning, there may be a water leak, poor insulation, or inadequate ventilation that needs to be addressed.
• 04
  Do not allow smoking inside the home and avoid exposing family members to tobacco smoke in enclosed spaces. Smoke can remain in the air and settle on furniture, curtains, carpets, and other surfaces. This is especially important in homes where children, older adults, or people with asthma and other breathing problems live.
• 05
  Keep humidity under control in rooms, especially in the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and areas where clothes are dried. Persistent condensation on windows or walls may be a sign that the space contains too much moisture. More frequent ventilation and checking sources of water can help prevent problems.
• 06
  Regularly remove dust from floors, furniture, and frequently used surfaces. Dust can quickly build up on shelves, electronic devices, corners, and underneath furniture. Regular cleaning helps keep the environment cleaner, especially for people who are sensitive to dust.
• 07
  Pay attention to carpets, curtains, mattresses, and other textiles. These surfaces can hold dust, pet hair, and other particles for a long time. Cleaning and washing them according to the manufacturer's instructions can help maintain a hygienic environment.
• 08
  When using cleaning products with strong odors or substances that may irritate the airways, ventilate the area well. Always follow the instructions on the label and do not mix different cleaning products unless the manufacturer explicitly recommends doing so.
• 09
  While cooking, use the extractor hood or open a window whenever possible. Steam, grease, and cooking odors can remain in the air and spread to other parts of the home. Good kitchen ventilation helps remove them more quickly.
• 10
  Periodically check the filters in air conditioners, ventilation systems, or other devices that circulate air. Dirty filters can collect dust and debris, so clean or replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions and the recommended intervals for your equipment.
• 11
  If you have pets, regularly clean the areas where they sleep and spend the most time. Pet hair and skin particles can accumulate on furniture, carpets, and textiles. Washing pet bedding and cleaning surfaces more frequently can help reduce them.
• 12
  Pay attention to any unusual odor, damp spot, or change in walls and ceilings. Small problems such as water leaks can worsen if left untreated. Early detection and repair can help prevent excess moisture and mold growth.

Special care for more sensitive people

Children, older adults, and people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions may be more sensitive to changes in air quality. In these cases, it is helpful to pay closer attention to dust, mold, smoke, and strong odors in the rooms where the person spends the most time.

The bedroom deserves special attention because we spend several consecutive hours there every night. Ventilating the room, washing bed linens regularly, and cleaning surfaces around the bed can be part of a simple routine for maintaining the environment.

Mistakes to avoid

One of the most common mistakes is trying to cover up unpleasant odors without addressing their source. Air fresheners may temporarily change the smell of a room, but they do not solve problems such as humidity, mold, smoke, or poor ventilation.

Likewise, overly aggressive cleaning or excessive use of products with strong fragrances does not necessarily mean that the environment becomes healthier. The goal is to maintain cleanliness and good ventilation while using products as needed and according to the relevant instructions.

When should you seek professional help?

If you have a large area of mold, moisture that keeps returning, a water leak you cannot identify, or visible damage to walls and ceilings, professional intervention may be necessary. Fixing the underlying cause is usually more important than temporarily cleaning the visible signs.

If someone in the home experiences persistent symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, difficulty breathing, or worsening of an existing condition, consulting a healthcare professional is the appropriate choice.