If you’ve ever thrown back the curtains, opened the blinds, and let the sun shine into your home, you’ve probably enjoyed that moment of brilliant natural light… until you see all the floating specks of dust in the air.

It can be a little surprising – especially if you are pretty diligent at keeping your house clean – to see all the dust and debris that swirls along with the air currents in your home. But you might be relieved to learn that it’s a totally natural phenomenon; and while you can definitely take steps to improve the air quality in your home, it’s most likely never going to be completely clear. So today, we’re focusing on what you can do to improve air quality at home – not perfect it.

Change That Filter

One of the best things you can do for cleaner air quality in your home? Regularly change the air filters in your air conditioning/heating system(s). Filters are there for a reason – they catch dust, dirt, pollen, and other airborne debris after your system intakes new air, and release the significantly cleaner air as the system circulates it through your home.

Beyond just replacing the filter regularly, selecting higher quality filters can also make a big difference. Filters with a more refined material can capture airborne pollutants more efficiently – and even though they might cost a little more, the better air quality may justify the expense.

Go Green

Dusting off (no pun intended) your green thumb is a great way to find a little happiness at home, while boosting the quality of the air throughout the place. Houseplants have been proven to improve air quality – and while they are not as effective as a high-quality air filter, they can definitely make a big difference when it comes to replenishing the fresh, clean oxygen that makes us feel vibrant and lively.

Plus, gardening and tending plants is proven to reduce stress, so you can derive a lot of different benefits just from adding some greenery to the different areas around your home.

Keep It Clean

And of course, no air quality improvement guide would be complete without the most basic suggestion – take some time to clean up your home regularly. Dusting your house (with a duster that captures dust, instead of just brushing it aside) is critical to avoiding the unsightly cloud of particles every time you open the shades and let that beautiful natural light inside.