How Do DIY Projects Affect Home Air Quality?

DIY home projects can negatively impact indoor air quality by stirring up pollutants like gases, dust, mold, and hazardous materials. Before you break out your tool belt, here’s what you need to know about common pollutants that pop up during DIY home projects and how to protect your indoor air quality.

Seasonal DIY projects are a fun, easy way to change up the look and feel of existing spaces of your home (and often much more affordable to execute yourself compared to hiring a professional). However, no matter if you’re installing new woodwork, refinishing your floors or simply repainting a room, home projects can often have a negative impact on your indoor air quality.

Read on to learn more about which pollutants to be mindful of, and how to protect your indoor air quality during DIY projects at home.

What are some common pollutants during home projects?

• Gases, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), often found in paint, paint strippers, caulks, varnishes, and flooring.¹
• Dust and other common allergens created from home renovation activities like demolition, sawing, or sanding.
• Mold, especially if you’re working on a bathroom project.
• Hazardous materials, like lead and asbestos. If you discover your home has these materials, it’s time to step away from the tool belt — you’ll need a professional to handle this.

Tips to protect your space during home DIY projects

• Choose low-VOC products. Many home products are filled with VOCs, gases that can cause serious health complications. When shopping for your DIY project, look for low-VOC products (it will be written on the label), and only buy as much as you need.¹
• Wear a respirator. We get it — respirators are not the most comfortable thing to wear while wielding a sander or operating a saw, but they are one of the most effective tools to keep you from breathing in dust and other harmful particles. Look for a respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a standard all 3M Brand masks meet. Cool Flowᵀᴹ Valve Particulate Respirator 8511 and Aura™ Particulate Respiration 9205+ are two respirators ideal for home construction projects. Whatever one you choose, ensure it completely covers your nose and mouth, and fits tightly to your face2 (no gaps!), before you start your project.
• Keep your home well-ventilated. It’s crucial to keep rooms well-ventilated during and after DIY home projects to maintain indoor air quality. Your HVAC system handles mechanical ventilation, but natural ventilation from wind moving through open windows and doors3 is equally important. Pro tip: Run a box fan in an open window of the room you’re working in to more effectively draw pollutants out of the home.⁴
• Seal off renovation areas. To keep dust and pollutants in the renovation area from spreading to other parts of your home, tape poly sheeting over doors and other openings in the room, such as supply and return registers for your HVAC system.⁴
• Dispose of products properly. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of leaving leftover paint cans in your garage leftover from past painting projects. Don’t worry, it’s a common mistake! But in reality, even sealed containers can leak harmful VOCs into your home.⁵ Instead, check with your local government to see if there’s a hazardous waste disposal program near you.
• Change your air filter. If you’re well-versed in home air filtration system upkeep, you know you should typically change your filter every three months for a 1″ air fitler and every 6 to 12 months for a 4″ to 5″ air filter — but that rule doesn’t apply when it comes to home projects. With all the extra fumes, dust, and other particles released during renovations, it’s a good idea to change your HVAC filter as soon as your home project is complete and fully cleaned up. We suggest the Filtrete™ MPR 1550 Refillable Filter Kit as it captures 42% more microparticles and creates 20% less waste.⁶

1. American Lung Association. “Volatile Organic Compounds.” American Lung Association, www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/volatile-organic-compounds

2. American Lung Association. “How to Wear a Mask.” American Lung Association, www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/masks

3. U.S. Department of Energy. “Natural Ventilation.” U.S. Department of Energy, www.energy.gov/energysaver/natural-ventilation

4. EPA. “Best Practices for Indoor Air Quality When Remodeling Your Home.” EPA, www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/best-practices-indoor-air-quality-when-remodeling-your-home

5. EPA. “Volatile Organic Compounds’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality.” EPA, www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality

6. More microparticle capture than the MERV 12 minimal requirement (0.3-1.0 microns in size), specific to Filtrete™ MPR 1550 Kit and Refillable Air Filter. Less waste than traditional Filtrete™ Air Filter by weight.