How to improve indoor air quality after the los Angeles fires
We are devastated by the fires that have destroyed so much of our community. Friends and fellow Angelinos have lost their homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, belongings, pets, and even loved ones. Our hearts ache, and we’re here to support you.
The fires are still affecting all of us here in Los Angeles, and we are just beginning to deal with the consequences. The smoke, ash, and pollutants in our air dangerously surround our homes. The air is contaminated. Indoor air quality is suffering, impacting families’ overall health.
Here are some crucial steps to restore clean air inside your home.
1. Assess the Air Quality and Risk
First and foremost, it's important to assess how much smoke and ash have infiltrated your indoor spaces. If you notice any visual signs of soot on windows or surfaces, or if there's an ongoing smoky smell in your home, the air quality has likely been impacted.
Check Local Air Quality: Use local resources, such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), to monitor air quality levels in your area. Pay attention to the Air Quality Index (AQI) to determine if the outdoor air is safe to ventilate indoors. We love the AirCare app—it makes it super easy to get granular info for your neighborhood.
Get Smart: Unfortunately, AQ doesn’t measure everything that lingers in the air after a fire. Toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, phthalates, and others) released from burning buildings, equipment, plastics, and more can linger in the air. These are not picked up by the AQI and are difficult and expensive to measure. The Coalition for Clean Air is a great resource that provides information on clean air, including virtual information sessions on the LA fire and up-to-date resources.
Indoor Air Quality Monitor: Consider purchasing an indoor air quality monitor. Devices that measure particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can give you real-time data about the pollution levels inside your home.
2. Ventilate with Caution
While you likely can’t wait to open windows and doors to let in fresh air, the air quality outside might still be unhealthy due to smoke. Here’s how you can safely ventilate:
Monitor Outdoor Air Quality: Wait until the outdoor air quality improves before opening windows. If the AQI is above 100 (considered unhealthy for sensitive groups), it’s best to keep windows closed.
Use Exhaust Fans: If you need to ventilate, turn on exhaust fans in bathrooms or kitchens to draw air out of your home. This can help expel any contaminated air without letting more smoke in.
3. Deep Clean to Remove Ash and Soot
Soot and ash particles can settle on furniture, walls, and floors, potentially causing long-term health issues. A thorough cleaning will help reduce exposure.
Vacuum with a HEPA Filter: Regular vacuums can spread soot and ash around, but using a vacuum with a HEPA filter can effectively capture fine particles. Focus on carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
Wipe Down Surfaces: Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down walls, counters, and other hard surfaces. This helps capture dust and prevent it from becoming airborne again.
Clean Windows and Floors: Ash can settle on windowsills and floors. Clean these surfaces thoroughly with warm, soapy water or specialized soot-removal products.
Launder Fabrics: Wash curtains, bedding, and any other fabrics that may have absorbed smoke particles. Be sure to wash them in hot water to remove odors and contaminants.
4. Optimize Air Filtration
Your home’s HVAC system and portable air purifiers are key players in filtering out pollutants. Here's how to maximize their effectiveness:
Use HEPA Air Purifiers: If you don’t already have one, invest in a high-quality and no-ozone HEPA air purifier. For example, Levoit VortexAir (but there are plenty of great options!). Place it in rooms that you frequent often, like the living room or bedroom. These devices are designed to capture even the smallest particles, providing cleaner air. Also, check out the California Air Resources Board’s guide on air purifiers.
Replace HVAC Filters: Smoke particles can easily accumulate and will likely clog filters, reducing their effectiveness. Check your HVAC system’s air filter, and if it’s clogged with smoke particles, replace it with a high-efficiency filter (MERV 13 or higher). You will also want to replace your filters more frequently. Our team at So Cal Air is ready to help.
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5. Eliminate Lingering Odors
The smell of smoke can linger for days, if not weeks, after a fire. While the smell can be unpleasant, it’s also a sign that there are still particles in the air.
Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal is excellent at absorbing odors. Place bowls of activated charcoal in rooms with heavy smoke smells to help neutralize the scent.
Baking Soda: Like charcoal, baking soda is another natural odor absorber. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and upholstery, leave it for a few hours, and then vacuum it up.
Essential Oils: For a temporary solution, you can use essential oils like lavender or lemon to mask smoke odors. But be careful not to rely on these long-term, as they don’t address the root cause of the contamination.
6. Prevent Recontamination
After you've cleaned your home, make sure to keep it clean by limiting how much ash and dust can enter.
Seal Gaps and Cracks: Smoke and ash can find their way into your home through tiny cracks or gaps around windows and doors. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal any entry points.
Designate a "No-Shoes" Zone: Make sure to remove shoes when entering your home or designate a specific area for footwear to prevent ash from being tracked indoors.
7. Seek Professional Help
Consider calling in the professionals to assess long-term exposure to pollution from soot and ash debris and restore indoor air quality.
Air Quality Testing: A professional air quality technician can measure pollutants in your home and provide tailored recommendations.
HVAC Check Up & Maintenance: Our team at So Cal Air specializes in Residential HVAC. We will come in to check your system, measure your air quality, remove any ash debris and provide tailored recommendations to ensure your system is working efficiently to protect your indoor air quality.
Duct Cleaning: Wildfire smoke and soot can infiltrate your home’s ventilation system, leaving harmful particles in your ducts. These can affect indoor air quality and may exacerbate respiratory issues, especially for children, the elderly, or those with asthma. Book a professional to clean your air ducts if they’ve been exposed to smoke or ash. Smoke accumulates in HVAC ducts and re-enters your home through the system, so this step is crucial for long-term air quality. Our team at So Cal Air is licensed to help you with Duct Cleaning. We use HEPA-filtered vacuums and sanitize ducts to eliminate lingering pollutants.
Air Scrubber: An air scrubber can provide an additional layer of protection by actively removing airborne particles, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from your indoor environment. Our team installs advanced air scrubber systems that work seamlessly with your HVAC system to ensure cleaner, healthier air throughout your space.
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Let’s clean our aIR
While the fires in Los Angeles have impacted everyone in community, taking proactive steps to improve your indoor air quality will help you and your family stay safe. Whether it’s through cleaning, ventilation, or investing in air filtration, the key is to act quickly to mitigate any lingering effects from the smoke and ash.
If you need assistance with air quality testing, air filters, a HVAC check up, maintenance or duct cleaning, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at So Cal Air to ensure your home is free from smoke contamination.
Stay safe and take care of your air 🫶
Book your HVAC or Duct Cleaning services here or by messaging or calling us 818 471 6022 or hello@socalair.co
