We live in an old house in the South, and all of my kids have allergies and one has asthma, so a good air filter is important. That's why the 3M Filtrete products caught my attention.

Also, with allergy season here, the quality of air inside your home is just as important as the air quality outside. As a matter of fact, the pollution that may be indoors can be anywhere from two to five times higher than the pollution outside and is considered by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to be one of the top five urgent environmental risks to health.

3M makes a variety of high performance filters for both the water and the air in your home. Be sure to check out their website where you can learn how to choose a filter, sign up for their reminder service (which is what we need) that notifies you when it's time to change the filters and don't forget to sign up for the Clean Air Club where you can learn about better indoor air quality, get newsletters, rebates and special offers and more!

Here are some Tips for Giving Your Home a Clean Air ‘Check-Up’ from Dr. Neil Schachter, M.D., past president of the American Lung Association of the City of New York and author of Life and Breath.

1. Avoid cleaning products with ammonia and chlorine – Ammonia and chlorine are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can irritate the respiratory tract in people who are sensitive to these chemicals. They can cause watery eyes and sore throats and even can trigger coughing and shortness of breath. Choose milder yet effective cleaning aids like those that use baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and citrus oils.

2. Houseplants...a clean air ally – Common indoor houseplants, such as bamboo plants, English ivy and peace lily, can provide a natural way to help fight against rising levels of indoor air pollution by absorbing some potentially harmful gases. A six-inch potted green plant can clean a room of excess carbon dioxide in eight hours2.

3. Lay area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting – Wall-to-wall carpeting can attract and hold indoor dirt, pollen, pet hair and mold spores and many contain chemicals. Vacuuming can remove some surface dirt, but often, the vacuum can actually push pollutants deeper into carpet fibers. Area rugs are best since they can be picked up and cleaned thoroughly.

4. Use high performance air filters – Use a high performance filter, like the Filtrete 1” Advanced Allergen Filter from 3M, to help capture particles such as pollen, smoke, dust mite debris and pet dander from the air that passes through the filter. Be sure to change your filter at the start of every season. Test your knowledge of indoor air quality facts and blow away some fictions by playing Clean Air Fact or Fiction at www.filtrete.com/factorfiction.

5.Restrict your furry friends – People who are allergic to cats and dogs are actually allergic to the dander that pets shed. To help minimize exposure to pet dander, keep pets out of the bedroom and especially off the bed.

6. Turn up the air conditioning – Air conditioners not only cool the air in your home, they can also help reduce humidity levels. During the warm months of the year, turn up the air conditioner to help keep humidity levels lower, which can help keep mold from growing.

7. Turn off the humidifier – Room air humidifiers are moisture-generating sources that can spread bacteria, mold spores and chemical deposits into the air in your home. Keep relative humidity between 30% and 50% to help prevent mold growth.

8. Leave shoes outside – Avoid bringing contaminated outdoor pollutants indoors by removing your shoes before entering the home. Wearing shoes indoors can track particles that can become airborne, including animal dander, mold spores, pollen and bacteria.

This post is in conjunction with Mom Central