Spring Cleaning: Don’t Forget About Your Indoor Air Quality

Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start. As the weather warms up, many of us start opening the windows, clearing out cupboards and giving our homes the deep clean they’ve been waiting for.

But while you’re cleaning floors, windows and surfaces, there’s one area that’s easy to overlook: the air inside your home.

Dust, pet dander, pollen and other airborne particles can build up indoors over time. And with spring comes a new wave of pollen and other seasonal allergens that can make indoor air quality even more important.

So, as you work your way through your spring-cleaning checklist, don’t forget to give your indoor air some attention too.

Why Does Indoor Air Quality Matter?

We spend a significant amount of time indoors, and the quality of the air inside our homes can be affected by everyday activities.

Dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke, odours and other particles can enter or circulate through your home. Without regular cleaning and ventilation, some of these particles can remain in the indoor environment.

Spring can also bring higher levels of outdoor pollen, which can make its way inside through open windows, doors, clothing and pets.

The good news? A few simple spring-cleaning habits can help keep your indoor environment feeling fresher.

1. Start With the Dust You Can See

Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to tackle those often-forgotten dusty areas.

Don't just focus on floors and obvious surfaces. Dust can accumulate on:

Ceiling fans
Air vents
Shelves
Window sills
Blinds and curtains
Behind and underneath furniture
Light fittings
Skirting boards

When cleaning, work from higher surfaces down so that dust doesn't simply settle onto areas you've already cleaned.

Regular dusting and vacuuming can help reduce the amount of dust that circulates around your home.

2. Don't Forget Your Filters

Filters play an important role in many household appliances, but they're easy to overlook during a regular cleaning routine.

If you use an air purifier, check the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions. Depending on the model and usage, filters may need to be cleaned or replaced periodically.

A dirty or clogged filter can affect how effectively an appliance operates, so spring is a great time to check that everything is clean and ready for the season ahead.

3. Give Soft Furnishings Some Attention

Curtains, rugs, carpets, mattresses and upholstered furniture can collect dust and other particles over time.

Spring is a good opportunity to:
Vacuum carpets and rugs thoroughly
Wash removable covers where possible
Clean curtains according to their care instructions
Vacuum mattresses
Clean cushions and upholstery
Move furniture so you can clean underneath it

These areas are often overlooked during everyday cleaning but can make a noticeable difference to how fresh a room feels.

4. Keep Your Bedroom Fresh

Your bedroom deserves a little extra attention because it's where you spend several hours every night.

Wash bedding regularly and give mattresses and pillows a thorough clean where appropriate.

Vacuum underneath the bed and around furniture, and don't forget less obvious areas such as curtains, blinds and ceiling fans.

If you're prone to opening your windows during spring, keep in mind that outdoor pollen can also enter your home. On high-pollen days, you may want to consider how much outdoor air you're bringing inside.

5. Clean Your Air Purifier

If you've invested in an air purifier, spring is a good reminder to give it some attention.

Check your model's user manual for instructions on cleaning the unit and maintaining or replacing its filters.

It's also worth checking where your air purifier is positioned. For the best results, make sure the air intake and outlet aren't blocked by furniture, curtains or other objects.

6. Don't Forget About Pet Hair and Dander

Spring cleaning is especially important if you have pets.

Pet hair and dander can accumulate on carpets, furniture, bedding and other surfaces. Regular vacuuming and cleaning can help keep these particles under control.

Remember to clean your pet's favourite areas too including beds, blankets, couches and rugs.

And don't forget that pets can also bring pollen and other particles into the home on their fur and paws.

7. Think About Ventilation

Fresh air is an important part of maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.

Where outdoor conditions are suitable, opening windows and doors can help increase airflow and refresh your home.

However, spring also means pollen season. If outdoor pollen levels are high, keeping windows open for long periods may not be ideal for everyone.

The goal is to find the right balance between ventilation and keeping unwanted outdoor particles from entering your home.

8. Tackle Musty or Lingering Odours

If your home still smells musty or stale after cleaning, don't simply cover the smell with an air freshener. Try to find the source.

Check areas such as:

Wardrobes
Bathrooms
Laundry areas
Carpets and rugs
Under furniture
Around windows
Areas with poor airflow

Lingering musty smells can sometimes be associated with excess moisture, so it's worth investigating if the smell keeps returning.

If your home tends to become damp, particularly after wet weather, managing indoor humidity can help create a more comfortable environment.

9. Consider an Air Purifier

Even after you've finished your spring cleaning, tiny airborne particles can continue to circulate through your home.

An air purifier can be another tool to consider as part of your indoor air-quality routine.

Depending on the model and filtration technology, air purifiers can help filter airborne particles such as dust, pollen and other pollutants from indoor air.

For households dealing with seasonal pollen, pets or everyday dust, an air purifier can complement your regular cleaning routine.

It's not a replacement for cleaning but it can be another part of your approach to maintaining cleaner indoor air.

Here are our recomendations:

10. Make Indoor Air Quality Part of Your Regular Routine

Spring cleaning doesn't have to happen just once a year.

Once you've tackled the bigger jobs, a few simple habits can help you maintain a fresher indoor environment throughout the year:

Weekly

Vacuum floors and rugs
Dust frequently used surfaces
Clean pet bedding and high-use areas as needed

Monthly

Clean less obvious dusty areas
Check air purifier filters
Clean vents and fans
Move furniture to clean underneath

Seasonally

Deep clean carpets and upholstery
Wash curtains where appropriate
Check appliance filters
Review your home's ventilation and humidity

A Fresh Start for Your Home

Spring cleaning is about more than making your home look clean. It's also an opportunity to think about what's happening in the air around you.

By reducing dust, keeping filters maintained, cleaning soft furnishings and paying attention to ventilation, you can create a fresher and more comfortable indoor environment.

And if seasonal pollen, dust, pet dander or lingering odours are a concern, an air purifier can be a useful addition to your home's cleaning routine.

This spring, don't just clean your home give some thought to the air you're breathing in it, too.