How Cleaning Improves Indoor Air Quality

By Keith Schneringer 

Over the century there have been significant public health improvements made to water quality, food safety, outdoor air pollution, and overall sanitation, but the COVID-19 pandemic and recent surge of wildfires have demonstrated the dramatic need for us to focus on improved indoor air quality (IAQ). 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association, indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air—and up to 100 times in some extreme cases. 

When we take into consideration that the average American spends up to 90 percent of their time indoors these days, and that one in three people now suffer from allergies, it is critical for us to ensure the air we breathe indoors is cleaner and healthier. 

You wouldn’t be wrong to ask “Isn’t IAQ the responsibility of the building engineers and the HVAC system?” However, there is a potentially unfulfilled and vital role that cleaning can play to positively impact indoor air quality before it even reaches the HVAC system. 

Linking Cleaning and Indoor Air Quality 

Indoor air quality is influenced by a complex mix of factors, including outdoor pollutants, building materials, HVAC systems, and building occupant behavior. One of the most controllable variables is the cleanliness of indoor surfaces and environments. 

To say it another way, dust, dirt, and other debris are not just aesthetic concerns. Each can act as reservoirs for a wide range of airborne contaminants, as well as become airborne contaminants themselves. 

Some contaminants of concern include particulate matter, allergens (pollen and dust), pathogens (bacteria, viruses and spores), and volatile organic compounds. 

When these contaminants accumulate on surfaces, they can be easily reintroduced into the air through everyday activities such as walking, air movement, or equipment operation. This process, known as resuspension, is a major contributor to poor IAQ. 

Effective cleaning is focused on reducing and removing these “reservoirs” to limit the number of contaminants that become airborne. 

Hidden Risks 

Janitors, custodians, and other cleaning professionals often focus on visible cleanliness. However, inadequate or improper cleaning can worsen IAQ in several ways. 

Dry dusting or sweeping can potentially disturb settled particles and release them back into the air, increasing occupant exposure. 

Cleaning methods that merely redistribute the dirt rather than removing it, such as poorly maintained mops or low-filtration vacuums, can spread pollutants across surfaces. 

Improper cleaning in high-moisture areas can encourage bacteria and even mold growth, which can significantly degrade IAQ and pose health risks. 

Some traditional cleaning chemicals emit VOCs that contribute to indoor air pollution and can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and even long-term health effects. 

To effectively support improved IAQ, cleaning protocols should evolve beyond basic aesthetics. 

One of the best ways to prevent dust and debris becoming airborne in a facility is to prevent dust and debris from entering the facility in the first place. Placing entryway matting does this. 

Cleaning chemicals certified by Green Seal, UL ECOLOGO, and EPA Safer Choice are formulated to have reduced impacts on human health, including lower VOC amounts. In addition, certifications such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District Clean Air Choices Cleaner certification recognizes cleaning chemicals with demonstrably lower VOC amounts. 

Vacuums certified by Carpet & Rug Institute Seal of Approval and Green Label and vacuums with HEPA filters can capture and retain particulates as small as 0.3 microns. 

Microfiber cloths and mops trap and remove dirt and reduce the need for more chemical use. 

Damp wiping and mopping reduces airborne dust when compared with dry methods. 

Air purifiers with HEPA filters and air exchange rates of at least five times per hour or more can help to clean the air before it even gets to the HVAC system. 

Where Cleaning Impacts IAQ 

Although every area in a facility presents an opportunity for improved cleaning practices that lead to better IAQ, the following areas warrant special attention: 

Floors and carpets. Flooring systems are among the largest reservoirs of contaminants in any facility. Carpets trap large amounts of dust, allergens, and microorganisms. Vacuuming with CRI Seal of Approval or Green Label-certified vacuums or those with HEPA filters can help to capture and remove dirt, dust, and fine particles rather than redistributing them. Extraction with encapsulation technologies provides a low-moisture, fast-drying, and zero residue way to keep carpets clean. Hard floors require effective dust removal and damp mopping or autoscrubbing to prevent particle buildup. 

High-touch surfaces. Desks, door handles, and shared surfaces can harbor pathogens and microbes that may become airborne. Regular cleaning and disinfection can reduce microbial load and minimize the potential for particles to become resuspended. 

Restrooms and wet areas. Any environment with water and moisture is prone to microbial growth and moisture-related issues. Proper cleaning and keeping surfaces and floors dry can help to reduce the risk of bacterial load and mold growth, as well as address potential areas for malodors. And don’t forget the floor drains. 

HVAC components. While traditionally not considered a part of “cleaning,” maintaining air handling units, vents, and diffusers is essential. Dust accumulation in ducts and vents can be circulated throughout the building, and cleaning around air returns and supply vents helps to maintain system efficiency. 

The Future of IAQ 

The expectations around indoor environments are continuing to evolve rapidly. Post-pandemic awareness has heightened the importance of cleanliness and indoor air quality, and building occupants are more informed than ever. 

Whether your goal is to achieve WELL, Fitwel, LEED, or UL Verified Healthy Building certification, or if you are working with ASHRAE Standard 241 or the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Standard, or if you are just looking to deliver a clean and healthy building environment for occupants and guests, incorporating an IAQ focus into your cleaning protocols will continue to increase in importance. 

 Cleaning is far more than an exercise to improve building appearance—it is a foundational element to indoor air quality management and building occupant health. For facility managers and cleaning professionals, understanding the connection between cleaning and IAQ is essential to delivering healthier, safer, and more productive environments. 

By adopting modified cleaning practices, investing in the right tools and training, and integrating cleaning into a broader IAQ strategy, facilities can significantly reduce airborne contaminants and improve overall building performance. 

After all, clean spaces are not just about appearance—they are about the air you and I breathe every day. 

Keith Schneringer has been in the sanitary supply industry since 1990 and is currently the Senior Director of Marketing Jan/San + Sustainability for BradyPLUS. In his current role, Keith is responsible for marketing to the jan/san and facility care industry, for developing vertical-market-specific programs to better assist customers, and for leading the company's sustainability initiatives. Before assuming his current responsibilities, he worked as an account consultant, sales manager, marketing manager, and director of channel marketing + sustainability for WAXIE Sanitary Supply.