7 fall cleaning tips for cleaner air
As the weather grows colder and seasons change, it’s a good time to catch up on items that may be on the back burner: papers or bills you haven’t filed, backyard projects you’ve been meaning to tackle or activities with your family and friends. One more item that may also be on the list – fall cleaning.
Cleaning in the fall gives you a chance to take care of anything you may have inadvertently ignored while you were enjoying warm weather and the busy schedule that tends to accompany it. Any kind of buildup in your home can lead to more dirt and particles in the air that you end up breathing in. This is certainly bad for anyone’s lungs, but even more so for those with asthma and allergies. These seven fall cleaning tips can help improve the quality of your home, and your air.
1. Wash your windows
Clean any grime that has made its home around your windows – the sills and screens, in particular. While doing so, check to make sure they are all properly sealed. This will keep both cold and debris from entering your home.
2. Wash your blankets and linens
Colder temps lead to more wrapping up inside a blanket or a heavy comforter. However, since most blankets get stored away for the summer, be sure to wash them before snuggling up to remove pollen, dirt, dander, dust, dust mites, or other allergens that may have settled in over the warmer months.
3. Do a deep clean of your carpet and upholstery
Like your linens, your floor coverings catch and trap particles year-round, tracked in by shoes and pets. A deep clean removes the buildup, especially if you have pets. Additionally, give your upholstery a good clean to remove pet hair and dander.
4. Declutter
It’s easy to store things away in a box and never think about them again. But those items continue to take up space and could be a breeding ground for dust and mold. Go through your belongings and donate what you don’t use. Not sure where to start? If you’re hanging onto old boxes of photos, transfer them to a digital hard drive. This way, you can free up space that was occupied by boxes, and protect precious memories from the elements.
5. Clean your entryways
High-traffic doorways are the main points of entry for contaminants. Clean your doormat by shaking it out and going over it with a vacuum attachment. Sweep all the dirt and debris that has collected outside your entryway. Remove any built-up grime from your threshold and door frame.
6. Clean your gutters
Make sure your gutters are clear. The combination of old leaves and moisture creates a breeding ground for mold. Blocked gutters can cause rainwater to drain incorrectly, which can create leaks in your home—another source of mold.
7. Use an air purifier with a HEPA air filter
A HEPA air purifier can help maintain your newly cleaned home by filtering out dust, dander, dirt, mold, and other airborne particles.
