When the season changes, so can your indoor air quality. Our to-do list can help you gear up for improved indoor air quality all season long.
Wintertime calls for cozy nights inside with the family, outdoor fun in the snow—and an updated cleaning regimen that helps keep your home and indoor air cleaner. And during the pandemic, a clean space is especially important, which is why we’ve decided winter cleaning is the new spring cleaning.
Think about what invisible particles could be lingering in your air: dust, smog, pet dander, bacteria and virus particles. All of these things can be present even if windows are closed for the season. So, set aside some time to complete these deep-cleaning tasks for a more comfortable winter.
When you turn on the heat, the air from your HVAC system can kick up dust from surfaces in your home and from inside the vents themselves. Household dust is a common allergen, so use a microfiber cloth and wipe down furniture and the areas just inside your vents. Don’t forget those hard-to-reach spots like the top of cabinets, window ledges, fan blades and baseboards.
Drafty windows and doors can let in cold air, but they can also let in outdoor air pollutants that are especially prevalent in winter. In some areas of the country, caps of warm air can trap the cold air below, which prevents some pollutants from dispersing—commonly, vehicle exhaust and smog particles.1 Window insulators and shrink film can help create a seal over your windows, mitigating the amount of outdoor air that can enter your home. Before you leave the house, use the Filtrete™ Smart App to check your area’s outdoor air quality.
Cooking oil from the stove and smoke from the oven can pollute your indoor air, too. Deep clean your oven to make sure there’s no debris that could start smoking when you use your oven. It’s also a good idea to clean your kitchen vent, where oil residue from cooking can build up. If you cook frequently or don’t have an exhaust fan in the kitchen, a portable air purifier, such as Filtrete™ Air Purifiers, can help filter out airborne particles that get released while you’re making a meal.
If you live in an area that gets lots of snow, you know it can make your entryway very messy. People coming in and out can track in snow or water on their shoes and clothes, which can build up on your floors. Dirty snow from the street or sidewalk can carry all sorts of debris, like pesticides, litter and vehicle exhaust particles that have settled in the snow. Get a sturdy entry mat that’s designed for winter weather, and make sure to wash it as needed.
Changing your HVAC filter according to package instructions is an especially effective way to get cleaner indoor air. Once your filter is past its prime, it doesn’t allow as much filtered air to flow through, so make sure you change your filter often. You can get reminders to change your HVAC filter here, or simplify the process by downloading the Filtrete™ Smart App. All of our filters are compatible with the app, which sends notifications to your phone. For Filtrete™ Smart Filters, Bluetooth® connectivity alerts you when it’s time to make a change based on real usage, and for all of our other filters, a barcode scan starts a personalized timer. If you don’t have an HVAC system in your home, air purifiers can help you get better indoor air quality in the rooms where you want it most.
Sources:
1. https://research.noaa.gov/article/ArtMID/587/ArticleID/2450/A-New-View-of-Wintertime-Air-Pollution