Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring cleaning is your chance to freshen your home and improve indoor air quality. Here's a quick guide to get started:

• Service Your HVAC System: Schedule professional inspections, clean vents, and regularly wash filters like the reusable ElectroDust filter to trap allergens.
• Remove Indoor Allergens: Deep clean floors, fabrics, and surfaces. Use HEPA vacuums and wash bedding weekly in hot water.
• Improve Airflow: Open windows for ventilation, clean window screens, and maintain bathroom and kitchen fans to reduce moisture and pollutants.
• Set Regular Tasks: Clean filters every 1-3 months based on household needs, dust weekly, and monitor humidity levels to prevent mold.

How to Wash an Electrostatic Furnace Filter

1. Check and Service Your HVAC System

Spring is the perfect time to give your HVAC system some attention to keep it running efficiently and maintain good air quality in your home.

Schedule a Professional HVAC Inspection

Book an annual HVAC checkup before the weather heats up. A technician can spot potential problems early and ensure your system is running smoothly. After that, focus on keeping the filter clean to improve air quality.

Clean Your Furnace Filter

To keep your indoor air clean, wash your ElectroDust filter every month. If you have pets or a larger household, clean it more often.

Here’s how to clean the ElectroDust filter:

• Turn off your HVAC system and remove the filter.
• Rinse it with warm water (use distilled water if you have hard water).
• Wash it gently with mild dish soap.
• Use a soft brush to remove any stubborn dirt.
• Rinse thoroughly and shake off excess water.
• Let it dry completely before putting it back.

Tidy Up Vents and Inspect Ducts

Remove vent covers and wash them with soapy water. Brush off dust, vacuum the area, and let the covers dry before putting them back.

Take a look inside your ducts for signs of mold, pests, or debris. If you notice anything unusual, it’s time to call in a professional for a thorough cleaning.

2. Remove Indoor Allergens

Once your HVAC system is in good shape, it’s time to tackle the allergens that have built up indoors. Spring often brings a mix of winter dust and incoming pollen, making it essential to clean floors, fabrics, and other dust-collecting areas.

Clean All Floor Surfaces

Floors tend to gather a lot of allergens during winter, so a deep clean is a must. Use the right cleaning methods for each type of flooring.

For carpets, stick to this vacuuming schedule:

• High-traffic areas and pet zones: Vacuum daily
• Medium-traffic areas: Vacuum twice a week
• Low-traffic spots: Vacuum weekly

Clean All Fabric Items

Fabrics are a major allergen hotspot, so regular cleaning is crucial.

"A thorough cleaning helps get rid of things like dust, mold, pet dander and other allergens, which may have been making you miserable all winter".

Focus on these tasks:

• Wash bedding weekly in hot water (130°F)
• Clean curtains and throw rugs weekly
• Vacuum upholstered furniture thoroughly
• Check and clean allergen-proof covers on mattresses
• Wash pet bedding often if you have animals

Remove Dust From All Surfaces

Did you know that over 90% of household dust comes from people and fabrics? Pay attention to these areas:

In bedrooms:

• Use microfiber cloths to clean furniture surfaces
• Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Wipe down closet shelves and organize them with clear containers

In living spaces:

• Dust electronics with electrostatic cloths
• Clean bathroom exhaust fan covers
• Wipe cabinet tops and range hoods with warm, soapy water

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3. Improve Air Flow Through Your Home

Let Fresh Air In

Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. That’s why getting fresh air into your home is so important. It helps lower indoor pollutants like radon and reduces carbon dioxide levels, which can even help you sleep better.

Here’s how to improve ventilation:

• Open your windows for at least 5 minutes daily.
• Create cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your home.
• Check local air quality indexes before opening windows.
• Avoid ventilating during high humidity or when air quality is poor.

Once you've ventilated, make sure to clean your window screens and tracks to keep airflow unobstructed.

Clean Window Areas

Window screens and tracks can collect dust, pollen, and debris over time. Keeping them clean not only improves airflow but also helps prevent mold caused by trapped moisture.

Here’s a simple cleaning process:

• Screens:
  • Remove screens gently.
  • Wash with warm water and mild dish soap.
  • For tough grime, use a white vinegar solution.
  • Scrub with a soft-bristled brush and rinse with clean water.
• Rust Spots:
  • Apply white vinegar to rusted areas, let it sit for 1–2 hours, scrub, and rinse.
  • If rust persists, try a baking soda paste.

Service Bathroom and Kitchen Fans

Keeping your bathroom and kitchen fans in good condition is key to controlling moisture and stopping mold from forming. The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) suggests ventilation rates based on eight air changes per hour.

Room Type	Minimum Ventilation Rate	Run Time After Use
Small Bathroom (under 50 sq ft)	50 CFM	20–30 minutes
Standard Bathroom (7' x 10')	70 CFM	20–30 minutes
Kitchen	100 CFM	During cooking + 15 mins

To keep exhaust fans working efficiently, clean their covers and blades every six months, listen for unusual noises, and check for blockages. This ensures they can effectively remove moisture and odors from your home.

4. Clean Your ElectroDust Filter

Wash the Filter

Start by vacuuming your ElectroDust filter to remove loose debris before washing. Then, follow these specific steps for effective cleaning:

1. Look for the airflow arrow on the filter's side frame.
2. First rinse: Wash the filter in the direction opposite to the airflow arrow.
3. Final rinse: Rinse in the same direction as the airflow arrow.
4. If your filter has been exposed to pet hair, smoke, or cooking fumes, use a mild detergent for better cleaning.

You can wash your filter using any of these methods:

• A garden hose outdoors
• A shower head
• A bathtub faucet
• A laundry sink

Once cleaned, make sure to dry the filter completely.

Dry the Filter

Proper drying is crucial to maintain your filter's efficiency and protect your HVAC system. According to Dolphin Cooling & Heating, installing a wet filter can harm your system and lower its performance.

For thorough drying:

• Stand the filter vertically in a well-ventilated area to let excess water drain.
• Wait until the filter is completely dry before reinstalling it.

Tip: Keep a spare ElectroDust filter handy. This way, you can replace the filter immediately while the cleaned one dries, ensuring your system keeps running smoothly.

5. Set Up Regular Air Quality Tasks

Plan Weekly Cleaning

In addition to filter maintenance, regular cleaning throughout your home is important for better air quality.

Weekly Tasks:

• Sweep and mop floors, especially in areas where pets spend time.
• Clean bathrooms, including sinks, tubs, and toilets.
• Wash bed linens every 3-4 days if you have pets or allergies.
• Dust furniture and surfaces using a damp cloth to trap particles.

Every Two Weeks:

• Deep clean kitchen appliances like the oven and refrigerator.
• Vacuum furniture and curtains to remove dust and allergens.
• Clean bathroom exhaust fans to ensure proper airflow.
• Inspect and clean air vents.

Check Humidity Levels

Keeping humidity levels balanced helps prevent mold growth and dry air. Here's how to manage it:

• Use a dehumidifier in damp or musty areas.
• Ensure bathrooms and kitchens are well-ventilated.
• Fix water leaks as soon as they appear.
• Regularly inspect basements and crawl spaces for signs of moisture.

These habits will not only improve the air quality in your home but also help your HVAC system perform efficiently.

Next Steps

Wrap up your spring cleaning by tackling these final air quality measures.

After cleaning, run your HVAC fan to push air through the filter and refresh your space. Consider upgrading to a washable ElectroDust filter with a MERV 7 rating. This filter effectively traps dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, offering a long-term solution for as low as $129.99.

Here's what one customer had to say:

"High-quality material. The air in my house is cleaner/fresher now. Super easy to install. Canadian made product too! Would definitely buy again".

Keep your system running smoothly with these simple tips:

• Check filters regularly based on your household's needs
• Use dehumidifiers in areas prone to excess moisture
• Set reminders on your phone to stay on top of cleaning tasks

Quick Tip: Use your phone's calendar app to track filter cleanings and adjust the schedule as needed for your home.

These steps will help maintain clean, fresh indoor air all year long.