Winter poses a higher risk of indoor air pollution. The biggest reason is the increased difficulty of ventilation rooms, including KITCHENbecause the windows cannot be opened as in the warmer months. Heating systems also emits impurities, especially if it is old or faulty.

“Indoor air is not as healthy as we think,” explains Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse and chairman of the Change the Air Foundation. The podcast host calls out the many overlooked pollutants that pollute the air in our homes.

According to James Langer, a material science engineer and CEO of Colorfil“Indoor air can be five times or more polluted than outdoor air, with health consequences ranging from nuisance. headache to more serious issues such as chronic allergies, asthma and even cancer.

Air purifiers and dehumidifiers make a difference, but knowing where pollutants come from and reducing them is your best guard against air quality issues. I spoke with experts about the surprising things in your home that may be contributing to poor air quality and what changes you can make to control them.

1. Gas stoves

It doesn’t matter if you have a gas or electric stove, or if you do most of your cooking in an indoor area, such as an oven or microwave. “The No. 1 contributor to indoor air pollution is definitely cooking,” says Glory Dolphin Hammes, CEO of IQAir North America, certified indoor environmentalist and licensed HVAC contractor. “We tend to worry about smells, but cooking at high heat, especially on open heat, is a significant source of pm 2.5, a type of particulate that can easily enter our lungs.”

However, this should not be an excuse to order more takeout or a directive to invest sous vide equipment. “Cooking with induction makes a big difference to help air quality,” says Dolphin Hammes, as does installing a real exhaust fan. “I emphasize that word ‘real’ because we don’t realize that 99% of all exhaust fumes are actually recirculating indoor air,” he said. Simply opening a window can also help reduce cooking pollution.

Read more: Gas Stoves Are Here to Stay, But Are They Safe? Here’s What You Need to Know

2. HVAC system

In the same vein, the very system in your home that circulates air, known as the HVAC system – heating, ventilation, and air conditioning – can also be a source of invisible mold and dust, recirculating polluted air inside your home rather than moving it outside. “The push for net-zero energy efficiency has led to more tightly constructed buildings with less airflow between indoor and outdoor environments,” Rubino said. “The result is that most contaminants that enter the building remain until they are actively removed.”

“Have the system serviced twice a year,” suggests Rubino. “Replace air filters on time and upgrade to the highest rated MERV filters your particular unit can handle.” The higher the MERV rating, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, the less particles it can remove from the air.

Read more: How to Clean Your Air Conditioner

3. Cleaning supplies

Surely keeping a clean house is the key to clean air, right? Well… “Often, the cleaning supplies that make the highest claims about killing germs or removing odors have high amounts of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs,” says Dolphin Hammes, which are other harmful particles in the air we breathe indoors.

“VOCs are known to cause nausea and can also have harmful health effects when exposed to higher levels or for longer periods of time,” Langer said. Instead, “look for low/unscented cleaning products that do their job without masking odors,” she says, and use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away dust wherever it collects on your home’s surfaces.

To combat unnecessary VOCs, try doing all of these-natural cleaning solution with three ingredients you can have.

4. Wet items

Most people understand that wet rooms, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms, can harbor mold, but your kitchen is also a significant source of water, and spores can come from elements other than spoiled food. “Appliances like ice machines and refrigerator water spouts can also harbor mold,” says Rubino, in addition to your shower and washing machine. Mold spores can cause respiratory problems, even if one has allergies, and contribute to odors that force us to try to cover them up.

Instead, cut them off at the source. “It has to be cleaned regularly“says Rubino. “Allow them to dry between uses and continue with normal maintenance.”

Read more: Is Mold Growing Inside Your Washing Machine? Use This Secret Trick to Get Rid of It

5. Candles and incense

The very things you use to make your home smell fresher actually do more than cover up other impurities; they also contribute to poor air quality in general. This is especially true if those things also emit smoke, such as candles and incense, even if it seems like a small amount.

“More often than not, candles and incense are actually a source of pollution inside your home,” said Dolphin Hammes. “People want to make their home fresh, but they tend to introduce high amounts of pm 2.5 with it.”

6. Air fresheners

The same goes for other products where scent is the goal. “Air fresheners, essential oils, and other highly scented products are often used to mask bad odors, but they can actually make indoor air pollution worse,” says Langer.

These products are also bad news for the non-human residents of your home. According to Langer, “there is a missing small amount of data related to the safety of using these products around pets.

Instead of scented options, consider an air purifier or look for air fresheners made with baking soda or activated charcoal.

An air quality monitor can help find the cause

If you’re concerned about air quality, a monitor provides real-time data so you can identify and address the issues. We tested a few, including the $60 SwitchBot’s Meter Pro, which tracks carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity, and the $300 Airthings View Plus, which monitors VOCs, radon, particles and fine particle matter, carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity. Both send alerts when dangerous levels are reached.