Aerosol air fresheners, certain cleaning sprays, some scented candles, and off-gassing new furniture or paint are among the most common sources of indoor air pollutants in an otherwise clean-looking home.
Why Sealed, Air-Conditioned Homes Are More Affected
In a naturally ventilated space, pollutants from household products disperse outdoors relatively quickly; in a sealed, air-conditioned home, the same compounds recirculate through the AC system with far less chance to escape. This is part of why indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor air quality even in a clean-looking, well-kept home.
The Usual Suspects
Aerosol sprays, including some air fresheners and cleaning products, release volatile organic compounds that build up in enclosed spaces. Certain scented candles and new furniture or flooring made with particular adhesives or finishes can also off-gas noticeably for weeks after installation.
Practical Steps to Reduce Exposure
Choosing fragrance-free or lower-VOC cleaning products where practical, airing out new furniture before bringing it into a bedroom, and briefly ventilating a room after using any aerosol product all help reduce the buildup. None of this replaces keeping the AC's filters and ducts clean, since that's the system actually distributing whatever's in the air.
If this sounds like what's happening with your unit, our Building Cleaning page covers exactly how we handle it, or you can message us directly for a same-day assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scented candles bad for indoor air quality?
Frequent use, especially of heavily fragranced or paraffin-based candles, can contribute to indoor air pollutants; occasional use in a ventilated room is generally lower risk.
How long does new furniture off-gas for?
It varies by material, but noticeable off-gassing commonly continues for several weeks, tapering off gradually after that.
Does air conditioning make indoor pollution worse?
AC itself doesn't create pollutants, but a sealed, air-conditioned space traps and recirculates them more than a naturally ventilated one, making source control more important.