Purify Your Home’s Air in 6 Easy Steps
Cold weather means furnaces are turning on across Michigan, forcing many of us to stay indoors as the temperature drops. Unfortunately, according to the EPA, the level of indoor pollutants can be up to 60% higher than outside air! Not cool!
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to purify your home’s air. Here’s how to help purify your home’s air and breathe easy this winter:
- Dust everything! Really give your home a thorough once-over with the feather duster. Try to remove as much dust as you can, rather than spreading it around. Don’t be afraid to use multiple dusters!
- Deep clean your upholstery and carpet. Allergens love to hide in the fibers of your carpet and the fabric of your furniture, becoming airborne as they are disturbed. Even a light vacuuming can help remove allergens on the surface. Your carpet is your home’s biggest air filter, after all! To get a deep and complete cleaning, a professional truck-mounted extraction system will give the most thorough cleaning and remove as many allergens as possible.
- Don’t idle your car in the garage. Your car, lawnmower, snow blower, and other motorized equipment give off carbon monoxide, which can leak into your home if left to build up in your garage. Try to run them outside only.
- Get your air ducts professionally cleaned. This is probably the most important step. Your HVAC system is designed to circulate air throughout your home, but any dust, dirt, or other particulate in your ductwork get blown about as well. A professional cleaning using a truck-mounted vacuum system is the best way to clean every square inch of your ductwork system.
- Change your furnace filter regularly. Your furnace filter is your first line of defense against airborne particulate. There’s even special allergen-specific filters you can get for even better allergy relief.
- Clean out your dryer vent. Gases from your dryer, if not vented properly, can build up and enter your home’s air. Get your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year to prevent lint and other debris from blocking it up.