Nine Ways to Clean Your Lungs

Ways to keep the lungs clear can include quitting or avoiding smoking, a healthy diet, avoiding pollutants, regular exercise, keeping indoor air clean, preventing illness, steam therapy, and an indoor air purifier.

Each day, we inhale pollutants, from cigarette smoke, to pollen, pollution, viruses, and other toxins. Fortunately, the lungs are mostly self-cleaning and self-repairing organs, but there are steps we can take to keep them as healthy as possible. 

People who have medical conditions that cause breathing problems may benefit from a lung cleanse, such as:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Chronic bronchitis
• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Heavy smokers
• People who use certain inhaled medicines

There are a number of ways to help clean the lungs, however, beware of products that claim to “detox” the lungs. There is no evidence any of these vitamins, essential oils, teas, salt inhalers, masks, and other products work as they claim. Further, many of these products can be harmful, especially ones that are inhaled. 

It is possible to clean the lungs and improve lung health with lifestyle modifications and exercises, such as: 

1. Don’t smoke or quit smoking

• This is the best way to minimize and heal lung damage.

2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet

• Choose antioxidant-rich foods and diet full of vitamins and nutrients 

3. Avoid harmful pollutants 

• Check your local air quality index (AQI) using an online tool from airnow.gov
• The higher the AQI value, the more pollution there is in the air 

4. Exercise regularly 

• Even if you have chronic lung disease, exercise can help improve lung health
• Talk to your doctor about what exercise is right for you
• Avoid exercising outdoors on bad air quality days 

5. Avoid exposure to indoor pollutants that can damage your lungs

• Make sure your home and care are smoke free
• Test your home for radon
• Talk to your doctor if you think something in your home, work, or school is making you sick

6. Keep indoor air clean

• Vacuum frequently with a good-quality vacuum cleaner
• Use natural cleaning products
• Use fragrance-free products
• Avoid air fresheners with artificial scents that can irritate the lungs
• Avoid aerosol sprays

7. Prevent infection

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water is not available
• Avoid crowds during the cold and flu season
• Practice good oral hygiene: brush teeth twice daily and see a dentist every six months
• Get vaccinated to prevent severe illness
  • Get the annual flu vaccine
  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Talk to your doctor to see if you need the pneumonia vaccine or any others
• Stay home from work or school if you are sick to protect others

8. Steam therapy

• Inhale steam from a hot shower or boiling pot of water to help open airways and loosen and clear mucus from the lungs
• Breathing in steam may also help temporarily relieve labored breathing due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 

9. Invest in an air purifier

• This can help clean the air inside your home
• A whole-home system or a small device for individual rooms can help create a healthier indoor environment