Use clean room filters for the freshest air possible indoors. The source of the common cold and flu is found in the home on surfaces and in the air. Bacteria and viruses can survive on the skin of pets and humans. Allergens are discarded by insects, spiders, and other occupants. Fungi, mold, and mildew grow where the environment is warm and humid.

To have clean air, these offenders must be eliminated. A clean room filter designed to capture particulates from 0.03 microns or larger will rid the air of as much as 99 percent of most contaminants. Filters are rated according to the amount of capture of the various sizes of particles. Some filters may catch 80 percent of one size of particulate while capturing 95 percent of a larger size. Read carefully to determine the rating needed in your home.

Choose Clean Room Filters Carefully

Keeping the filters clean is vital to having clean air to breathe. All filter manufacturers have a recommended guideline for either cleaning or replacing a filter. Remember, this is only a guideline. If you live in an area where the pollen count is unusually high, you may need to change filters sooner than the recommendation. The same is true for any type of allergen or pollutant. Dusty areas may require more frequent cleaning than areas where foliage is thick.

Keep in mind that cleaning the room with air filters is not all that is needed for good quality air. It is important to open the windows or doors daily, if possible, to refresh the oxygen content in the air. Cleaning does not replace oxygen. This is especially hard to do in cold weather, but it is important. Fireplaces and heaters can deplete the oxygen level and add harmful fumes to the air. A balance of the proper filter and fresh outside air will give clean indoor air.