Are you making plans to move into a new home? Before you start moving those boxes in, you should give some thought to whether your new home is actually as clean as it can be. Air in homes can be dirtier than the air outside, but you can take the following steps to make sure the air in your new home is fresh and clean.

Start Fresh and Clean

Moving into a new home can be a great opportunity for a fresh start. However, before you move in, you should take a good look around your new home and decide what to clean. Whether you are moving in or moving out, you should be cleaning many of the same things. Start at the top and remove dust, webs, and dirt from ceiling fans and lighting fixtures. Wipe down all surfaces with a clean, damp cloth to remove dust before you thoroughly clean your floors. You also want to avoid bringing any dirt or allergens from your old home into the new one. If you’ve had your mattress for five or more years, there’s a good chance that it’s become a home for dust mites, bacteria, and other microorganisms you don’t want to sleep on, so it may make sense to start fresh with a new mattress in your new home. Furthermore, after five years, mattresses often lose their shape and aren’t able to offer the support they once did (though some can last up to 15 years, depending on the type).

Make Inside a Smoke-Free Zone

Smoke is never a good thing to have inside your home. If you or any of your guests smoke, make it a rule to take tobacco products and other smoke sources outside. Avoiding smoke indoors is one of many ways to improve the air quality inside your new place and help your entire family breathe a little easier. If you do notice any odors inside, make sure all of the air filters have been changed, and make sure the filters you use really clean your air. You can also have the air in your home tested, to see what toxins could be impacting your health and take steps to reduce them.

Give Pets a Good Groom

When members of your household have allergies, you should take special care to keep allergens out of your new home. Regularly cleaning your home can reduce the amount of dust, but if you have pets, you may want to take some extra steps. Before you move in, take your pets to a groomer to have them bathed and brushed. Clean any bedding, blankets, or toys you may bring with you. Wash items in hot water and gentle detergent to keep dust mites and dander from building up. Since pet hair and dander love to cling to fabrics, try choosing decor and window treatments for your home that are allergy-friendly. Blinds may be a better option than curtains, or look for curtains you can take down and wash. You may also want to look into installing a central vacuum system or pick up a robot vacuum to keep your floors allergen free.

Use Tools to Clean Your Air

Cleaning surfaces in your new home is a good idea, but you can also take steps to clean the air as well. Pick up some allergen-reducing sprays to clear your air of dust and dander that can make your family sick. You can also use these sprays to eliminate dust on fabrics and furniture. Air cleaners are another option for preventing indoor air pollution from tarnishing your new home. Air cleaners can remove pollutants such as mold, mildew, and even VOCs that could make it more difficult to breathe. You can also cut down on these toxins by choosing cleaner home improvement supplies and ensuring proper ventilation. Other tools for removing toxins from your home are air purifiers. Air purifiers are the best bet for removing harmful odors and gases from the air in your home, many of which are harmful to your health.

A new home should be a clean slate for building a new phase in your life. With that in mind, make sure your new home is really clean by taking steps to reduce toxins, remove allergens, and clean the air inside your home.