The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, and filling your home with delicious meals, festive decor, and plenty of good cheer. However, with all that activity comes an influx of guests, more time spent indoors, and extra cooking and cleaning, all of which can impact the air quality in your home.
In Southwest Florida, where humidity and allergens are constant concerns, it’s essential to ensure the air inside your home remains fresh and healthy, even when the house is full of holiday spirit.
Here’s how to keep the air clean while hosting this season.
Ventilate for Freshness
One of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality is to increase ventilation. While it may be tempting to keep the windows closed during cooler holiday weather, allowing fresh air to circulate can reduce the buildup of indoor pollutants. If the weather is pleasant, consider opening windows or doors for short periods throughout the day to allow fresh air to flow through your home. For homes with an HVAC system, ensure the vents are clean and unobstructed, and if possible, run the system’s fan to keep the air moving.
If you’re concerned about outdoor allergens or pollutants, using a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can help capture unwanted particles while circulating fresh air indoors. These filters trap dust, mold spores, pet dander, and other allergens, ensuring that your home’s air remains clean, even when hosting guests with sensitivities.
Maintain Humidity Balance
Southwest Florida’s high humidity can affect indoor air quality, particularly during the holidays when more people are indoors and the oven is frequently in use. Excess moisture in the air can contribute to mold growth and aggravate allergies or asthma. Using a dehumidifier is a great way to maintain a balanced humidity level, especially if you live in a home that tends to trap moisture. Ideally, you want to keep indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% to prevent mold while keeping your home comfortable.
Monitoring your home’s humidity levels is simple with a hygrometer, and adjusting accordingly will help you breathe easier throughout the season. Remember, controlling humidity also helps your heating and cooling systems work more efficiently, ensuring guests stay comfortable.
Choose Holiday Scents Wisely
Nothing sets the holiday mood quite like the warm, spicy scents of cinnamon, cloves, and evergreen trees. However, many scented candles, air fresheners, and sprays contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can pollute indoor air. When shopping for holiday candles or room sprays, opt for natural alternatives made from essential oils or beeswax. These options are less likely to release harmful chemicals into the air and can still give your home that festive feel.
If you’re looking for an even cleaner option, consider simmering natural ingredients on the stove, like cinnamon sticks, citrus peels, and cloves. This not only fills your home with delicious, comforting aromas but avoids adding chemicals to the air altogether.
Keep Up with Regular Cleaning
With more foot traffic and festive activities, it’s important to stay on top of cleaning to reduce dust and allergens. Regularly vacuuming carpets, rugs, and upholstery can help remove allergens like dust mites and pet dander. Choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter to ensure that these particles are captured effectively and not recirculated into the air.
Don’t forget about hard surfaces! Wiping down countertops, tables, and other frequently used areas with non-toxic, fragrance-free cleaners will minimize chemical exposure while maintaining a clean, inviting space for your guests. If you’re cooking up a holiday feast, be mindful of kitchen ventilation. Using the exhaust fan while cooking can help clear the air of smoke, grease, and cooking odors that may otherwise linger and reduce air quality.
Keep Pets Groomed and Clean
If you have pets, their fur and dander can quickly impact the air quality, especially when more people are around to stir up allergens. Make sure your pets are well-groomed before the holidays and keep their favorite lounging spots clean. Regular brushing, bathing, and washing their bedding can go a long way toward reducing pet-related allergens in the home. This will help guests with sensitivities feel more comfortable, and your home will stay cleaner throughout the festivities.
Monitor and Replace HVAC Filters
Your HVAC system plays a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality year-round, but during the holiday season, it’s especially important to ensure that your system is running efficiently. Check your HVAC filters before the holidays start and replace them if necessary. A clogged or dirty filter can significantly reduce your home’s air quality by recirculating dust, allergens, and other pollutants.
For an added boost, consider upgrading to a filter with a higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating. Filters with higher MERV ratings capture smaller particles, which can improve your air quality during high-traffic holiday periods.
Create a Healthier, Happier Holiday Home
Improving indoor air quality during the holiday season doesn’t have to be difficult. With these simple steps, you can create a healthy and inviting environment for your family and guests, ensuring that everyone can breathe easily while celebrating. By focusing on proper ventilation, humidity control, and mindful cleaning, you’ll set the stage for a comfortable and enjoyable holiday season, Southwest Florida-style.
Should you need any HVAC services before the holidays, contact High Tide Air Conditioning as soon as possible to get on our calendar. We look forward to hearing from you!
