The hidden factor in business success: The role of indoor air quality in female-led startups

The health of your employees directly impacts the productivity of your startup. A workspace with healthy and happy employees is the foundation of sustainable growth. However, indoor air quality is one invisible factor that is frequently overlooked, despite its significant impact on employee well-being and productivity.

Ensuring good indoor air quality is especially important in female-led startups with a women-majority team, as women may be more prone to issues like migraines, hormonal fluctuations, and respiratory sensitivity triggered by poor air conditions.

This article will explore the importance of maintaining good commercial indoor air quality, offer practical tips on how to improve it, and explain how services like professional window cleaning can play a surprising role in keeping your workspace healthier.

How poor indoor air quality affects the success of female-led startups

A 2004 study in the journal Indoor Air found that poor indoor air quality could reduce productivity by as much as 6–9%, even when people didn’t realize the air quality was compromised.

This kind of poor air quality often starts with a buildup of indoor pollutants, like dust, mould, chemical fumes from cleaning products or office furniture, and inadequate ventilation. When airflow is limited or pollutants aren’t filtered out, they quietly accumulate.

This results in a drop in focus, reduced stamina, and a noticeable dip in team output. Over time, these small setbacks become measurable obstacles to scaling your business.

Indoor air quality matters in every workplace—but it’s especially critical in startups led by and built for women. Poor IAQ has been linked to symptoms that disproportionately affect women, including headaches, brain fog, and increased sensitivity to pollutants.

Even more concerning, pollutants like phthalates and BPA, commonly found in plastics and cleaning products, can interfere with hormonal systems and have long-term reproductive and developmental consequences.

Common signs of poor indoor air quality

Many indoor air quality issues go unnoticed until they begin affecting team performance. For female-led startups, it’s crucial to identify these signs early before it’s too late. Poor air can quietly undermine energy, focus, and team morale. Here are some common indicators that your office may be dealing with air quality problems:

Frequent Headaches: If your team members frequently complain of headaches or a “heavy” feeling in the head, especially in the afternoons, poor ventilation or chemical buildup may be to blame.
Persistent Fatigue: Clean air supports oxygen flow and cognitive clarity. If your team constantly feels tired, groggy, or burned out despite healthy routines, stale air or high CO₂ levels could be a factor.
Increased Allergy Symptoms: Watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, or itchy skin inside the office are signs that dust, mould, or pollen might be circulating through your HVAC system.
Musty or Chemical Odours: A lingering musty smell could signal mould growth. Sharp chemical smells may come from VOCS in cleaning products or furniture.
Dry Skin and Irritated Eyes: Low humidity and airborne irritants can cause skin dryness, red eyes, or sore throats—subtle clues that something’s off in the air.
Productivity Dips Without Explanation: If you notice a sudden drop in team energy or focus, and there’s no big deadline to blame, air quality may be silently impacting performance.

How to improve indoor air quality

Regardless of how well-maintained your office building is, without regularly monitoring and improving indoor air quality, you risk your workplace being silently compromised by allergens, toxins, and stale air. Here are some helpful tips on how to improve indoor air quality in your workplace:

1) Invest in Air Purifiers with HEPA Filter

Air purifiers equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters can significantly improve indoor air quality by capturing up to 99.97% of airborne particles, including dust, pollen, mould spores, and even some bacteria and viruses.

For open-concept offices or co-working spaces where airflow is shared, these devices help reduce the spread of allergens and airborne contaminants. Remember to clean or replace the filters every 6 to 12 months, depending on usage and manufacturer guidelines.

2) Upgrade HVAC Filters and Maintenance Schedules

HVAC systems are a primary line of defense against indoor pollutants. Standard filters often capture only large particles, while high-efficiency or MERV-rated filters can trap much finer particulates, including dust mites and mold spores. Replacing these filters every 1–3 months and scheduling biannual maintenance not only improves air quality—it extends the life of your system and reduces energy costs.

3) Choose Low-VOC Cleaning Products

Traditional cleaning products often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that linger in the air long after the surface is clean. These chemicals can contribute to headaches, respiratory irritation, and long-term health concerns. Switching to low-VOC or VOC-free products is a simple but powerful step toward creating a healthier workplace—especially in closed or air-conditioned environments.

4) Let Fresh Air In Whenever Possible

If your space has operable windows, encourage airflow during breaks or slower hours. Even 10 minutes of ventilation can freshen up the whole space.

5) Use Indoor Plants Strategically

Incorporating low-maintenance, air-purifying plants like snake plants, pothos, or peace lilies can naturally improve indoor air quality by absorbing pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Plants also regulate humidity and release oxygen, making your office feel fresher and more balanced, especially in spaces with limited ventilation.

How window cleaning services improve indoor air quality

In addition to the tips mentioned above, scheduling professional window cleaning services is another overlooked but impactful way to support indoor air quality. Dirty windows and frames often collect allergens, mould spores, and dust that can quietly enter your workspace.

When windows are opened for airflow or ventilation, these particles can become airborne and circulate throughout your office, quietly undermining your efforts to create a healthy workspace. Regular window cleaning, ideally every three to six months, helps minimize this risk. For high-traffic urban areas or seasons with high pollen counts, more frequent cleanings may be necessary.

Clean windows also allow more natural light to enter, which can positively affect mood, focus, and energy levels among your team.

While DIY window cleaning might seem cost-effective, it rarely delivers the deep, thorough clean that professionals provide. Professional window cleaners have the right tools, eco-safe cleaning agents, and techniques to remove buildup that’s often missed in a quick wipe-down. They also safely access hard-to-reach windows, ensuring every surface is treated without damaging window seals or frames.

For women-led startups where wellness, culture, and productivity are tightly connected, investing in professional window cleaning is more than a visual upgrade—it’s a proactive step toward healthier indoor air and a more energized team.