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• MERV

  A standard for rating heating and air-conditioning filter efficiency.

• Vacuum filtration

  Keeping the dust inside your vacuum.

• HEPA

  A term relating to filter effectiveness. HEPA filtration removes 99.97 percent of all particles 0.3 microns and larger.

• Ventilation

  Another word for “airing the place out,” ventilation is one of the top three ways to improve indoor air quality.

• Air filter

  All forced-air heating and air-conditioning systems have HVAC filters.

• Duct

  These metal conduits distribute heated or cooled air from a furnace or central air conditioner. No one’s sure whether they need regular professional cleaning.

• Furnace

  Replacing or cleaning the filter each month is key.

• Fabric filter

  A fancy term for a wide variety of dust catchers.

• Air cleaner

  There are several different types, but these useful appliances are no substitute for good cleaning and other preventive measures.

• Dust, dusting

  It's everywhere, all the time. Here's how to keep it to a tolerable minimum.

• Wet-dry vac

  Wet-dry vacuum cleaners are best suited to garages and unfinished basements since they tend to spew fine dust out with the exhaust air if you don’t install an optional filter. They can come in handy for limited jobs in the home, such as clearing out a clogged sink, sucking up pet accidents, etc.

• Wicking

  An explanation of how dirt can re-appear on a (supposedly) clean carpet or sofa.

• Bathroom fan

  Exhaust fans aren’t just for keeping the bathroom from smelling bad.

• Portable extractor

  These machines are best for light cleanings. For tough jobs, call a professional.

• Grease, airborne

  Prevention is at least as important as cleaning here.

• Hot water extraction

  Carpet cleaning that’s highly effective at flushing out dirt.

• Room air conditioner

  Cleaning this appliance is best done in autumn.

• XRF

  X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology is a fast, highly accurate method for analyzing the soil removal capability of cleaning products such as vacuum cleaners.

• Extraction cleaning

  A method that’s highly effective at flushing out dirt from many carpets and some rugs.

• Cattle tracks

  These paths aren’t caused by livestock.

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