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How to Shop for Cleaner Indoor Air Quality
Here, you’ll find a list of air quality must-haves that can help keep your indoor air fresher during the fall and winter.
Autumn is a good time to reassess your home cleaning routine as the weather gets cooler. If you’re spending more time indoors, it’s important to keep items on hand that can help improve your indoor air quality and empower you to maintain a healthier home.
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Face masks
Before you venture out of the house to get everything on your list, make sure you have a disposable or reusable face mask to wear on your errands.
Dusting wipes
One of the best ways to reduce the amount of allergens in your air is to clean frequently with dusting wipes. The dust that rests on surfaces in your home can contain mites, pollen, bacteria and virus particles.
Sponges
The sponges you use to clean dishes or wash surfaces need to be replaced more often than you think. Depending on how frequently you use them, sponges should be switched out as often as once a week.1 Old sponges can carry bacteria and mold spores, so make sure you wash them well1 after use and place them somewhere they can dry fully.
Antibacterial soap
Antibacterial soaps contain ingredients that can kill bacteria that you might bring into the house on your hands. Make sure you wash for a full 20 seconds with warm, soapy water.
Antibacterial surface cleaners
Antibacterial cleaning supplies are great for using on frequently-touched surfaces in your house, including door knobs, cupboard handles and sinks. As well as killing bacteria, these cleaners can help clean up dust and other dirt.
Tub and tile cleaners
Cleaning your tub and bathroom tile has more benefits than getting rid of grime — it can also help keep mold and mildew at bay. Consider using tile cleaner for kitchen sinks, too, where the same pesky buildup may occur.
Fans or air circulators
When you can’t open windows to let in fresher air, using a fan, air circulator or air purifier can help keep the air in your house moving. Circulating air with fans can help keep humidity levels lower and reduce mold growth in humid areas.2 Well-circulated indoor air can help reduce mold buildup, regulate temperature and prevent some allergens from multiplying or settling on surfaces. Filtrete™ Air Purifiers and Filters can capture unwanted air particles from the air passing through the filter.
Fresh air filters
Changing your HVAC and air purifier filters on a regular basis is one way to help reduce allergens, bacteria, smog and other unwanted particles from your indoor air. Make sure you change your filter according to the recommendation on its packaging:
- Our 1”– 2” HVAC air filters should be replaced at least every three months.
- Our 4”– 6” deep pleat filters should be replaced at least once every 12 months.
- Filtrete™ Air Purifier filters should be replaced every 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of filter.
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