Cleaning for allergies and wildfire smoke season in northern BC
7 min read · February 12, 2026
Filters, humidity and dust discipline — the three levers that actually change indoor air quality here.
Between spring pollen, summer wildfire smoke and a long sealed-up winter, Prince George homes work hard to keep indoor air breathable. Cleaning is a big part of that, but only if you target the right things.
Filters first
A MERV 11–13 furnace filter changed every 60 days does more for allergy symptoms than any surface product. Add a portable HEPA unit in the bedroom — you spend a third of your life there — and run it continuously during smoke events rather than reactively.
Dust wet, not dry
Dry dusting relocates allergens into the air for hours. Use a damp microfibre cloth, work top to bottom, and finish with floors. Vacuum with a sealed HEPA system, slowly — speed is the most common vacuuming mistake.
Control humidity
Hold 35–45%. Below that, dust and dander stay airborne and airways dry out. Above 50%, dust mites and mould thrive. A $15 hygrometer removes the guesswork.
- Wash bedding weekly at 60°C to kill dust mites
- Keep windows closed during smoke events, even at night
- Damp-wipe window sills and door tracks weekly in pollen season
Filters, wet dusting and 35–45% humidity — in that order.