As larger fires become more common, even people who aren't directly threatened are concerned about how to deal with the spread of wildfire smoke. New threats may emerge in areas that haven't dealt with smoke issues before, forcing them to prepare for the first time.
Buying a specialized air purifier or getting new filters for your central air conditioner are the most effective ways to protect your pets (including pets, who the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends watching out for certain animal health issues linked to wildfire smoke). But you can also take some cheap, easy, and immediate steps using items you probably already have, like a mop or a washing machine. Here are our picks:
Buy an air purifier
The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty (right) visually takes up much less space than our larger-space pick, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ (left). Photo: Sarah Kobos
First, consider a true HEPA air purifier. We have an extensive guide on air purifiers, but here are the basic facts: According to the EPA, wildfire smoke is made up mostly of particles smaller than 10 microns. And true HEPA air filters are very good at removing particles of that size from the air. Our top pick, the Coway AP-1512HH, and the nearly identical Coway Airmega 200M, are affordable, perform well, and are reliable. They have enough power for rooms up to 350 square feet, including most bedrooms and living rooms. For larger spaces, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max can quickly purify the air in larger rooms or homes with open floor plans.
Coway has been our top pick air purifier since 2015, but in recent years, several companies have produced models that come close to our high standards, and we've added several new options that cover a wider range of price points and looks.
The first time you turn on your air purifier, we recommend running it on high for an hour. This will allow the entire air in the room to pass through the filter 4-6 times, cleaning the air quickly. After that, just leave it running on low or automatic mode and the air will be cleaner. Just keep it running. Noise is usually not an issue. On the low setting, the air purifiers we recommend are nearly silent.
If you're running out of water purifiers, try this
How to Make a DIY Air Purifier
If your air quality is poor and you don't have an air purifier, taping an HVAC filter to a box fan is better than nothing.
Upgrade your HVAC filters
If you have central air conditioning and heating, consider another less expensive option: Upgrade to one of our recommended heater and air conditioning filters. The EPA recommends filters with at least a MERV 13 rating, “the highest rating that your system fan and filter slots can accommodate.”
MERV stands for “minimum efficiency reporting value” and is a measure of how well a central air filter removes particles from the air. Moderate MERV filters offer much better filtering than basic MERV 1-4 filters in central air systems. These filters only trap contaminants visible to the naked eye, like pet hair and dust, and not fine particles like smoke. If you're not sure what type of filter you have, these basic filters often come with your equipment and are the least expensive filter replacement option, and usually look like a clear mesh with blue or green threads.
The mid-range MERV filters we recommend are rated MERV 8-13 and are usually opaque white with a felt-like texture and pleated like an accordion. In our heating and air conditioning filter guide, we recommend MERV 12 filters from Nordic Pure. A six-pack usually costs around $55. If they're not available, there are also MERV 12 equivalent recommendations from Honeywell and Filtrete, which are below the MERV 13 ideal in the EPA's 2022 guidance. The overall message is to choose the highest level of filtration that will fit and work with your system.
The MERV 8-13 filters we recommend are typically opaque white, have a felt-like texture, and are pleated like an accordion. The less effective basic MERV 1-4 filters are usually green or blue and look like a loose, flat mesh woven from thin strings. Photo: Michael Hession
Depending on the age and design of your system, a higher rated MERV filter can be taxing on one of the pieces of equipment that moves the air. In smoky environments, filters can become clogged about halfway through the recommended replacement cycle (usually 3 months), so it's a good idea to replace your filter after a fire is over. If your system is more than 15 or 20 years old, with or without a wildfire, it may not be able to withstand the added work of a medium rated MERV filter. In that case, you may want to consider purchasing a portable air purifier.
Clear information about unclear air
Keep the place clean
Whether or not you follow the recommendations above, there are other easy, essentially free steps you can take to reduce smoke problems in your home.
It may seem obvious, but keep your windows closed. In most cases, outdoor air has fewer particles than indoor air, so having open windows is a good idea. But not in a wildfire situation. Closing your windows can help prevent smoke from getting into your home in the first place. Minimize ingress and egress through exterior doors and take advantage of double-door configurations (such as garages, separate basement entrances, and foyers) if you have them to block smoke from entering your home and prevent it from entering your living spaces altogether.
Fine smoke particles also eventually fall into the air and settle on surfaces like floors. Vacuuming only sends particles into the air, so we recommend damp mopping your floors to pick them up. The dust mops and wet mops we selected work great (I use both), are inexpensive, durable, ergonomic, and washable, but you can use whatever mop you have. By the way, damp mops (slightly damp, not wet) won't damage wood floors.
Smoke particles also land on your clothes, skin and bedding. If you've been outside in smoke conditions, change into clean clothes when you get home. Wash your sheets more often than usual too. Shower before going to bed. Once the smoke has cleared and the fire has subsided, clean everything, change all your filters and breathe easy.
Wear a respirator
Wearing a mask can help protect you while these long-term measures are in place. We researched related products for the best respirators to protect against smoke and dust. In our testing, we found that certain models of N95 respirators fit well, perform reliably, and have been widely available since the initial wave of shortages early in the COVID-19 pandemic.