Summer is full of fun in the sun, with time spent around the pool, at barbecues, and tending to your gardens. But summer is also a time that brings about a lot of debris. Whether it’s because of naturally occurring pollen and allergens, or because of debris caused by summer activities, summer can leave waste behind.
As fall approaches, it's important to prepare your home for the cooler months by cleaning any excess junk around your home and more specifically paying attention to your indoor air quality. If you’re not sure what debris you should be addressing, we’re here to provide you with some great ways to do so.
Air Filters Should Be Replaced
Most residences have furnaces and most furnaces have replaceable air filters. And if your home is one of them, then it’s your responsibility to make sure your air filters are replaced frequently.
Unfortunately this easy task is often one that is overlooked by homeowners. Once fall approaches it’s especially important to replace your air filters because air filters reduce allergens that make their way into your home, such as pollen, dander, dust, bacteria, and mold.
If your air filter hasn’t been replaced regularly, it’s not doing the job it was designed to do. But replacing the filter is easy. Check to see which type and model filter your unit uses and then purchase the correct replacement.
Most filters either pop or slide out of the unit and then just put the new one in, and that’s all it takes. Your heating system is now ready to tackle the approaching fall weather.
Clean With Nontoxic Chemicals
Many cleaning agents are made with chemicals, and sometimes those chemicals can create toxins if you’re not careful, affecting your air quality.
But fortunately, there are many non-toxic cleaning chemicals and agents that most homeowners can use, creating a safe environment for you. Bonus! Many of them you probably already have in your pantry!
White vinegar has long been used as a cleaning agent because of its variety of uses. Mixed with water in a 1 to 2 ratio it can be used to mop floors. In a 1 to 4 ratio with water, it can disinfect a microwave oven or dishwasher. Or use it to clean laminate countertops.
Baking soda has deodorizing capabilities. Leave an open box in your fridge or freezer to capture unpleasant scents, and then just dispose of the box after a few weeks. Or sprinkle baking soda on a mattress before vacuuming it up to freshen your bedding.
Finally, tea tree oil is great for disinfecting and killing mold. Mix a few drops into a spray bottle and spray the mixture onto moldy areas, like in a bathroom, and then wipe the mold away. It will also help make your home smell better as well.
Check For Gas Leaks
Most homes use natural gas in one form or another. Whether it’s in appliances like gas fireplaces or kitchen ranges, or to heat their homes, when you have gas in your home there’s always the risk of a gas leak.
And gas leaks can be dangerous or even deadly, so it’s important to check for them regularly. If you ever smell the scent of rotten eggs in your residence, you should leave immediately because it may be a gas leak. Once outside the home contact assistance.
If you’re worried that your range or other appliances may be leaking, then contact our pros at Lascko Services. We have the expertise to assist you with all your gas leaks and concerns. When fall approaches and the weather turns colder, it’s important to clean your summer debris and prepare your home for the changing temperatures.
There are many things you can do to keep your home safe and happy in the fall and winter, but if these tasks are something that you don’t want to tackle on your own or have more questions, then contact our staff for further assistance.
