Home Health: Air Pollutants, Allergens, Mold, & Water Risks

With 90% of our time spent indoors, indoor air quality can be up to 2X – 5X worse than outdoor air. Your home environment can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Major factors that contribute to poor health are harmful chemicals, toxins, allergens, and mold. This comprehensive guide explores the dangers lurking in many households, the products that promote wellness, and actionable tips to create a safer living space and a healthy home.

Why a Healthier Home Matters

Many of us don’t realize how much our indoor environment affects our well-being. Pollutants like dust, mold spores, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and chemicals from cleaning products can silently impact our health.

Some pollutants cause health problems such as sore eyes, burning in the nose and throat, headaches, or fatigue. Other pollutants cause or worsen allergies, respiratory illnesses (such as asthma), heart disease, cancer and other serious long-term conditions.

Index:

Common Pollutants Found Indoors
Best Products to Improve Indoor Air Quality
- HEPA Air Purifier
- Dehumidifier
Cures for Harmful Water Contaminates
- Water Filters
Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Creating a Healthier Home: Final Tips

Common Pollutants Found Indoors

Dust and Pet Dander: Can exacerbate allergies and asthma.
VOCs: Found in paints, cleaning products, and furniture; linked to respiratory issues and other health problems.
Mold and Humidity: Poor ventilation and damp conditions lead to mold growth, which can cause serious respiratory illnesses. more about mold
Water Contaminants: Chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteria in tap water can harm your health over time.

Creating a healthier home reduces these risks and improves overall quality of life. Clean air, pure water, and non-toxic materials set the foundation for a safe and nurturing environment.

Best Products to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Your home’s air quality is crucial for good health. Here are some top tools and tips to ensure cleaner air and limited toxins:

1. HEPA Air Purifiers

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) purifiers capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria.

I have tried several air filters and the best i have used by far is the PuroAir 240 HEPA Air Purifier. this air purifier is of the most quality you can find yet still affordable. the features i love most about mine include the filter replacement indicator light and the aesthetic Appearance in my home.

Features to Look For: Multi-stage filtration, quiet operation, and a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) suitable for your space.

Most powerful HEPA filter available
Lab tested & proven to filter up to 99% of pollutants
Whisper quiet
Filter replacement notification light
Air quality indicator light
Child lock

After setting this up in my room my sleep quality has improved immensely. If you have allergies, this thing will make your life so much better. I am obsessed!

I use this A ir Purifier found at Amazon, in my child’s bedroom because it is great for smaller spaces. It has improved her sleep and minimizes allergy flare ups. The HEPA filter also absorbes smaller particles including toxins and VOCs.

2. Dehumidifiers

Maintaining optimal humidity levels (30-50%) prevents mold growth and improves comfort. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

The best way to mitigate indoor humidity is by use of a commercial grade dehumidifier.

The Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5045W1 is one of the best on the market and highly accurate.

4,500 Square Foot Coverage
1.7 Gallon Bucket Capacity
Remotely Turn the Unit On or Off
Built-in Air Ionizer
Continuous Draining
Easy-to-Clean Washable Filter

This machine provides the ability to monitor and control a dehumidifier remotely via Frigidaire’s app (iOS and Android).

Another great option for a smaller space is this Dehumidifier found on Amazon for closed areas such as a laundry room (where mine is placed), bathroom, or garage. The tank does have to be emptied regularly if the drain line isn’t installed.

Cures for Harmful Water Contaminates

Do you know what’s really in the water you drink? Tap water is an essential part of life, we shower in it, cook with it, clean our dishes and clothing with it, and so much more. For something we use every signle day, it is important to know exactly what you’re using.

The EWG hosts a site with which you can look up the contents of your tap water by zip code: EWG’s Tap Water Database. They share a host of information about frequent contaminates and toxic chemicals used in your drinking water. Many contaminates are not federally regulated or monitored.

3. Water Filters

If you want to test your own tap water, there are testing kits available here.

Common Tap Water Contaminates & Harmful Chemicals:

Atrazine – Hormone disruption; cancer; harm to the developing fetus and reproductive system; changes in the nervous system, brain and behavior
Barium – High blood pressure; harm to the kidneys, heart and blood vessels
Glyphosate – Cancer; harm to fetal growth and the kidneys
Nitrate – Cancer; harm to fetal growth and child development
PFAS – Cancer; hormone disruption; harm to fetal growth, child development, the immune system and liver
Trihalomethanes – Bladder and skin cancer, harm to fetal growth and development
Chlorine – increased risk to cancer and reproductive and developmental effects
Lead – damage to the brain and kidneys

Solutions to avoid dangers in your water:

Filtering your sources of water is the easiest and most affective way to remove many contaminates and chemicals. Below is a guide to cost-efficient and quality water filters for every part of your home including sinks, showers, and drinking water.

Safe Drinking Water Filtration:

Don’t buy bottled water. Despite the marketing hype, it is not necessarily any safer than tap water, can be contaminated with chemicals, and costs hundreds of times more than tap water. Filtered water pitchers are the easiest way to acheive safe drinking water with minimal effort.

The Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher is the world’s best water filter. Clearly Filtered offers the safest and most convenient water filtration systems that will fit seamlessly into your routine to improve your overall health and well-being.

Removes up to 99.99% of 365+ contaminants
Targets chlorine, fluoride, lead, arsenic, PFAS, & more, without removing beneficial minerals.
100% BPS/BPA-free, phthalate-free, and free of estrogen
Extended 100-gallon filter life

Typical pitchers target as few as 5 contaminants, Clearly Filtered targets over 365+ contaminants.

Other ways to filter your drinking water include:

Filtered Water Bottle for water filtration at work or on the go

3 Stage Under Sink Filtration System

Universal Refrigerator Water Filter

Safe Shower and Bath Water

Chlorine strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, itchy, and irritated. Over time, this can worsen conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. A chlorine-removing shower filter helps maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier, keeping it hydrated and reducing irritation.

During a hot shower, chlorine in the water turns into vapor, which you inhale along with the steam. This exposure can irritate your respiratory system, especially for individuals with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions.

Your skin is your largest organ and highly absorbent. During a shower, chlorine in the water is absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream. Removing chlorine reduces your body’s exposure to this chemical and minimizes potential long-term effects like:

Hormonal disruptions.
Increased oxidative stress.

Filters I Love:

The Jolie Filtered Shower Head

is clinically-proven to reduce hair shedding and is the only shower filter available that is lab tested and verified by 158+ top publications.

It removes chlorine, heavy metals & other contaminant and installation is SO easy!

Amazon – 8 Stage Bath Filter

this filter uses: zeolite, activated carbon, Vitamin C, and tourmaline. It hangs on the water faucet and filters water used to fill the bathtub.

This Bath Filter is especially great for a home with young children and babies who have more sensitive skin that can be harmed by chlorine.

Investing in a shower filter that removes chlorine is a simple yet impactful step toward a healthier lifestyle. By protecting your skin, hair, and respiratory system from chlorine’s harmful effects, you’ll not only look and feel better but also reduce your overall exposure to unnecessary chemicals.

4. Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Many traditional cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, contributing to poor indoor air quality. VOCs are linked to respiratory issues, headaches, and long-term health risks.

Harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and respiratory distress. For individuals with asthma, allergies, or sensitivities, these products can exacerbate symptoms.

Best Non-Toxic Alternatives:

I was using a vinegar and essential oil combination to clean surfaces in my home but it can be hard to test the effectiveness of home-made cleaners. I switched to CitriSafe producs following mold exposure and I absolutely swaer by their products.

CitriSafe products use plant-based ingredients, reducing the risk of irritation.
Safe for use around sensitive individuals, ensuring a healthier home environment.
Non-toxic ingredients make it safer to use on surfaces where children and pets play.
Eliminates concerns about accidental exposure to harmful residues.
CitriSafe Kills mold and cleans your clothes and washing washine at the same time.

CitriSafe Laundry Detergent

CitriSafe uses natural botanicals that known for their antimicrobial properties

This brand rinses away bacteria and mold spores from clothing and fabric.

CitriSafe Multi-Purpose Cleaner

This gentle, but powerful bio-balancing cleaner can be used as a spray around the house and is safe on all surfaces.

It also helps remove airborne mold spores.

CitriSafe Multi-Purpose Mold Treatment Wipes

Treats mold, yeast (Candida), bacteria, and associated toxins.

So convenient to use. I use it on everything and I love that it’s non-toxic and fragrance-free.

Conventional cleaners often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as phthalates and parabens, which can interfere with your body’s hormonal balance. These compounds are linked to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and other health concerns.

Whether you’re battling mold, looking to minimize allergens, or simply want a safer home, CitriSafe and other non-toxic alternatives offer effective, eco-friendly solutions you can trust. Start making the switch today—your body and the environment will thank you!

Creating a Healthier Home: Final Tips

Reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals and biotoxins can have lasting health benefits. Over time, frequent exposure of environmental pollutants and toxic cleaners has been linked to chronic respiratory conditions, skin disorders, and even cancer. Switching to non-toxic products protects your health and supports overall wellness.

Tips for Transitioning to a Healthier Home

Start Small: Replace one product at a time, such as your shower head or laundry detergent.
Read Labels: Look for products free from VOCs, phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
DIY Options: Consider making your own cleaners using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.

Choosing a simple yet impactful step toward creating a healthier home environment is possible. By reducing exposure to harmful environmental affects, you’ll improve indoor air quality, protect your family’s health, and contribute to a more sustainable planet.

Whether you’re battling mold, looking to minimize allergens, or simply want a safer home, these solutions offer effective, eco-friendly solutions you can trust. Start making the switch today—your body and the environment will thank you!

Indoor Air Pollutants, Allergens, Mold, and Improve Water Quality: Ultimate Guide to a Healthier Home (2025)