We spend approximately 80% of our time in indoor spaces, and surprisingly, the air we breathe inside can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the great outdoors. Even if we take good care of our diet or exercise, we rarely stop to think what we're breathing while we sleep, work, or rest on the sofa.
That's why understanding how to improve indoor air quality is one of the most vital and urgent investments you can make for your family and yourself. If you want to know how to maintain clean air at home and avoid invisible problems, take note of these keys.
What really pollutes and how to reduce toxins at home?
If we open windows and have the house apparently clean, where do these invisible toxins come from? The problem doesn't lie in occasional dust, but in the chemical footprint (mainly Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs) that constantly releases at small scale from everyday items surrounding us:
- Conventional cleaning products: Many aerosols, bleaches, and synthetic air fresheners flood the air with irritant particles. Replacing them with biodegradable solutions or those based on natural soap and vinegar drastically reduces this impact.
- Agglomerate furniture and synthetic textiles: Many "low-cost" furniture and new carpets are treated with plastic adhesives or flame retardants that release formaldehyde over time. Choosing solid wood and organic fabrics (linen, cotton, or wool) is key to reducing home toxins.
Do you have doubts about VOCs? Discover more in our reference article: What are VOCs in paint?.
Wall paint as a key factor for clean air at home
Despite everything we've mentioned, there's a source of domestic contamination that absolutely dominates the space and that we usually overlook: the walls themselves. Walls and ceilings represent the largest metric surface of any apartment. If these surfaces are painted with plastic paint, you have hundreds of square meters emitting toxins continuously for weeks or months around you.
Replacing this invisible source of contamination is the change with the most impact to guarantee clean air at home. The mineral and plant-based paints we exclusively work with at Gelur Espais eliminate all petrochemical solvents and synthetic drying agents from the manufacturing process, and guarantee a home that emits absolutely no harmful substances (VOC-free) and, additionally, allow the house to better regulate humidity naturally.
Small and constant changes with great health impact
To know how to improve indoor air quality in a practical way, incorporate these simple actions into your routine:
- Strategic and cross ventilation: Open doors and windows on different facades of the house for at least 15 minutes in the morning and at night. Renewing air is essential to avoid carbon dioxide stagnation.
- Air-purifying indoor plants: Include plants that act as natural filters (like aloe vera, spider plant, peace lily, or pothos). NASA itself has demonstrated their effectiveness in absorbing microtoxins and improving air quality in enclosed spaces.
- Conscious space renovations: Every time you decide to renovate, paint, or change a structural part of your home, question what that material entails. The mineral option on the wall won't just be beautiful, but durable and 100% emission-free.
Conclusion
Your immediate surroundings dictate, directly or silently, your health. Applying techniques to reduce home toxins and having daily renewal habits will transform a conventional apartment into a protective sanctuary. Think about air first, before aesthetics.
Want to check the chemical difference in your home before and after eco paint? Use our VOC Calculator and open your eyes to a toxin-free reality. If you've decided to make the change toward a space that truly cares for you, request your quote with no obligation with the Gelur Espais team.