5 ways to improve your indoor air quality this spring

Ah, the beauty of spring! Green grass growing, flowers blooming, trees blossoming—it’s enough to bring a tear to your eye. Even more so if you or your children suffer from seasonal allergies, when watery eyes, runny noses and itchiness can take hold. But the arrival of spring-allergy season doesn’t have to be something to dread. In fact, with just a few simple steps, you can improve the quality of your indoor air to keep allergens in check so you and your family will want to embrace—not escape—this time of year.

Keep pollen where it belongs: outside

Reducing pollen levels inside your home is all about limiting its access. Keep windows and doors to the outside closed when pollen counts are at their highest, typically from pre-dawn to mid-afternoon. When coming inside, remove shoes and jackets at the door, change your clothes and, if you’ve been working—or playing with the kids—in the yard, take a shower and wash your hair to get rid of any pollen that might have collected on your body.

Pro tip: Pets can carry pollen on their fur, so a good brushing and/or bath might be in order for them, too, if they’ve been outside.

Amp up your house-cleaning regimen

How, and what, you clean matters. Regularly dusting and vacuuming (look for certified “allergy friendly” devices) rooms from top to bottom helps remove common allergens, such as pollen, dust, dust mites, mould and pet dander. Wash bedding, curtains and other linens in hot water; get rid of allergen-harbouring clutter; and replace wall-to-wall carpet—where allergens can accumulate—with bare floors or low-pile rugs.

Pro tip: Ditch the air fresheners, plug-ins and scented candles, as they can actually exacerbate allergies.

Control humidity levels

Ideally, your home’s humidity level should be between 30% and 60%, and excess moisture—especially in areas such as basements, bathrooms and kitchens—creates a breeding ground for mould. Use your furnace’s humidistat, your smart-home technology or an inexpensive hygrometer to monitor levels, then turn on a humidifier or dehumidifier to increase or decrease the amount of moisture in the air accordingly.

Pro tip: To lower bathroom humidity while/after bathing, increase ventilation: turn on the fan, or open the window or door.

Show your HVAC some TLC

Having your HVAC system and air ducts cleaned (and, if needed, serviced) is a good idea in spring. This ensures your equipment is running properly and efficiently, and helps remove any dust, debris and allergens that might have collected in your ducts, preventing them from being re-circulated through your home.

Pro tip: Remove and vacuum your floor registers, too, as dirt, dust and pet hair can accumulate in them over winter.

Make high-quality air furnace filters a top priority

Speaking of your HVAC system, changing its filter is the best—and easiest—way to help improve the air quality inside your home. Look for effective, high-performance filters, such as those from Filtrete Filters.

The most-trusted brand of indoor air-cleaning filters on the market today, Filtrete Filters feature innovative electrostatic technology, which acts like a “magnet” to attract and capture airborne particles. Designed by the scientists at 3M, allergen-defense filters from Filtrete Filters trap allergens both large and microscopic, from pollen and mould spores to pet dander, dust, smoke and even microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. The result is cleaner, healthier air circulating throughout your home.

Including Filtrete Filters in your springtime allergy-fighting efforts can help the whole family breathe easier, so all of you can savour the full splendour of the season.

For more information on Filtrete Filters, visit filtrete.ca