Can You Really Detox a Room? Natural Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Recently, someone reached out and asked me something that stopped me in my tracks:

“Can putting onions in your socks really detox your body?”

It was a sincere question—one I had once asked myself. At first, it sounds silly, right? But if you’ve ever experienced swelling, sinus congestion, or mystery fatigue that lifts after trying something like an onion remedy or an essential oil blend, you start wondering:

Is there something to these old-fashioned methods?

I remember the first time I stuck sliced onions in my socks overnight. It wasn’t exactly glamorous. I smelled like a sandwich shop and felt a little ridiculous. But by morning, my feet were less puffy, and a dull headache I’d been carrying around for days was suddenly gone. Coincidence? Maybe. But then I tried it again the following week—and again, relief.

That’s when I started diving deeper into natural ways to improve health, which naturally led me to improving indoor air quality, because I believe our environment plays a bigger role in our health than we realize.

**A free resource is available at the bottom of this article.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters More Than You Think

We often think of pollution as something “out there”—smog, traffic fumes, factory smoke. But according to the EPA, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, especially when homes are sealed tight for energy efficiency.

Toxins can come from:

• Cleaning products
• Off-gassing furniture and carpets
• Mold and mildew
• Cooking fumes
• Synthetic fragrances
• Dust mites and pet dander

If you’re dealing with unexplained allergies, fatigue, headaches, or even skin irritation, the air inside your home could be part of the problem. That’s why finding natural ways to improve indoor air quality can be a powerful act of self-care.

My Own Turning Point: The Humidity Battle

I live in an older home in an area that is prone to swampiness. What I mean by that is the water stays on the top of the ground, with nowhere to run to, and the ground gets soggy. In addition, there is an underground spring that pops up under our house whenever it rains nearby. We spent almost $50,000 having the foundation repaired, a dehumidifier and two sump pumps installed, as well as an encapsulation to protect our home. This is a recipe for musty air and mold. For years, I would light candles or use synthetic sprays, but it never made a lick of difference. And worse, I’d end up with a sore throat or itchy eyes that I chalked up to “seasonal allergies.”

Then I read that excess humidity not only worsens air quality but feeds mold spores and dust mites, both of which can affect respiratory and immune health.

I tried the old “plate of salt” trick for humidity someone had recommended online. Spoiler: it didn’t work. So, I turned to real, natural solutions—and everything began to shift.

10 Natural Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

If you’re looking for chemical-free, low-effort ways to freshen your home and protect your health, here are my favorite tried-and-true methods:

1. Open the Windows

Fresh air is still one of the best detoxifiers. Try opening windows for at least 15–30 minutes a day, even in cooler months.

2. Houseplants That Purify Air

NASA’s famous clean air study showed that certain plants can remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. My top picks:

• Snake plant (also called mother-in-law’s tongue) – low maintenance, night-time oxygen producer
• Spider plant – great for formaldehyde and carbon monoxide
• Peace lily – removes mold spores and VOCs, though mildly toxic to pets

3. Beeswax Candles

Unlike paraffin candles that release soot and chemicals, beeswax candles clean the air by releasing negative ions, which bind to pollutants.

Lighting beeswax candles at night while winding down, and dimming the other lights in the house, not only makes the air smell fresher, but will improve your sleep, too.

4. Essential Oils in Diffusers

This is where things got really fun for me. I began using essential oils not just for scent, but for their antimicrobial and purifying properties…hint: there are also essential oils that improve memory, focus, concentration, and even mood.

Here are a few essential oil blends I now swear by:

➤ Purify the Air Blend

• 4 drops lemon
• 3 drops eucalyptus
• 2 drops tea tree
• 2 drops rosemary

Great for killing airborne bacteria and refreshing stale rooms.

➤ Mold & Mildew Defense

• 3 drops clove
• 3 drops cinnamon
• 3 drops orange
• 2 drops thyme

These oils have antifungal properties that may help keep mold at bay. I use this after deep cleaning my bathroom or laundry room.

➤ Breathe Easy Blend

• 3 drops peppermint
• 3 drops eucalyptus
• 2 drops lavender
• 2 drops frankincense

Perfect for allergy season or stuffy nights. I also rub a diluted version on my chest and soles of my feet.

Pro tip: Always use high-quality, therapeutic-grade oils, and diffuse in well-ventilated areas for 30–60 minutes at a time, and whenever putting essential oils directly onto skin, be sure to dilute in a neutral oil like olive oil or almond oil.

5. Activated Charcoal Bowls

Charcoal absorbs toxins and odors. Place small bowls around areas like the kitchen, bathroom, or shoe closet. Replace every 2–3 weeks. Alternatively, use an air filter with a charcoal-based filter. I have two of these in my home. They use very little electricity when kept on low/auto, and it will alert you when it is time for the filters to be changed. Filters in my house, with now 12 cats (a lot of pet dander) only needs to be changed once every three to four months.

6. Himalayan Salt Lamps

Though the science is still out, many believe salt lamps release negative ions and purify the air. Even if they didn’t, they make your space feel peaceful and grounded, especially with the mellow light they emit.

7. Natural Cleaning Products

Switch to vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and Castile soap, using essential oils for scents and for killing harmful germs. Even “green” cleaning brands can sneak in artificial fragrances and preservatives. I now clean almost everything with a vinegar and citrus peel infusion or tea tree essential oil.

8. Dehumidifiers and Ventilation

If you live in a humid area, invest in a plug-in dehumidifier and make sure your bathroom and kitchen have exhaust fans. Even cooking can raise humidity, which invites mold growth.

9. Shoe-Free Homes

Removing shoes at the door reduces dirt, pollen, pesticides, and other outdoor contaminants from getting into your carpets and air.

10. Switch to Natural Fabrics

Synthetic rugs, curtains, and furniture can off-gas VOCs. I have eliminated all carpets, and only use a few small wool area rugs that get washed frequently. For clothing, curtains, bedspreads, blankets, and sheets, I’ve swapped in organic cotton, linen, and bamboo whenever I can. Removing the carpets completely went a long way to helping my husband with his allergies.

Onion Remedies and Folk Wisdom

Let’s go back to that onion remedy for a moment. Onions contain sulfur compounds and natural antimicrobial properties. According to folk medicine, placing cut onions on the soles of your feet or around the room can absorb toxins and pathogens.

Is there strong scientific proof? Not exactly. But the placebo effect is powerful, and anecdotal experiences—including my own—suggest it’s worth exploring. At the very least, it’s harmless, inexpensive, and oddly comforting. When one of us gets sick, I also chop a few onions and put them in a massive pot of boiling water, keeping it simmering all day. I also put in a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil.

One friend of mine placed sliced red onions on plates around her home during a cold spell and swore it helped her family avoid the flu. Whether it was the onions or cleaner air from fewer synthetic candles—who knows? Sometimes healing is about doing something intentional that says, “I care about this body and this home.”

Start Where You Are

You don’t have to go out and buy every natural remedy on the market. Just pick one or two strategies that feel doable.

• Swap your plug-in air freshener for a diffuser
• Open windows while you cook
• Add a plant to your desk
• Try a homemade cleaning spray
• Or yes—put onions in your socks and see what happens!

Final Thoughts: Your Home Is Your Healing Ground

Our homes should be sanctuaries, not sources of silent stress. The more we can align our spaces with nature—light, air, scent, materials—the more our bodies can exhale and heal.

Natural ways to improve indoor air quality are about more than dust and humidity. They’re about intentional living. When we clear the air, we often clear our minds and moods as well.

So next time someone asks, “Can onions really detox a room?” I’ll smile and say,

“Maybe not in the way we think—but they can start a conversation. And sometimes, that’s the most healing thing of all.”

Angel Tate Keaton

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out my other articles on whole-body wellness, healing recipes, and toxin-free living at HealthyInHeart.com.

You can access the free printable essential oil chart and DIY air-cleaning recipes below.