Different homes require different changing schedules. A few factors that affect how often are listed below.

There are good reasons for changing your furnace filters on a regular basis. If you do not change them regularly, you may be losing some of the protection that they provide. Filters can become full of dust and other particles and then they will not trap the new particles that come through. This means they will be released into the air and you will be breathing them in. In addition, your furnace will have to run harder and will be less energy efficient if your filter is dirty. So how do you know when to change that filter? Here are some general guidelines that can help you determine how often is best for you.

Do you have animals?

Animals are one thing that will affect when your filter needs to be changed. If you have multiple animals then you will change your furnace filters more often than if you have none. Generally those with multiple animals will change a one or two inch filter every month. A four inch filter will need to be changed every two months and a five inch filter every three months. If you only have one animals then you can change that and change the filters every two, four and six months depending on the size of your filter. No animals means you can change every three, six and twelve months.

How dusty is your home?

Dust is another thing that can affect the performance of your filter. If you get a lot of dust in your home then you will want to change more often. For one and two inch filters you need to change once a month. Four inch filters can go two months and five inch filters can go three. Moderate dust will change those numbers to two, four and six. If you have no dust and no other factors then you change your filter every three, six or twelve month depending on the thickness.

Do you keep the heat or a/c fan on?

If you always have it on then you will want to change your one and two inch filters monthly. If you sometimes have it on, they can be changed every couple of months. If it is never on you can wait three months. Four inch filters will be changed every two, four or six months depending on whether the fan is on constantly, sometimes or rarely. Five inch filters will be three, six and twelve months.

Does anyone smoke in the home?

Smoke can be detrimental to the filter and will make you have to change it sooner. Multiple smokers mean that one to two inch furnace filters should be changed monthly, four inch filters every two months and five inch filters every three months. One smoker changes those numbers to two, four and six. If there are no smokers then filters can be changed every three, six or twelve months based on the thickness of the filter.

Do you keep windows and doors open?

Since this lets a lot of dust and dirt inside, it can impact how often a filter should be changed. If the doors and windows are open a lot, change those one and two inch filters monthly. Change four inch filters every two months and five inch filters every three months. If you only keep them open sometimes then you can change every two, four and six months. If you never have them open then you change filters at three, six and twelve months based on your thickness.

When you change your filter is based on more than simply your filter. While the thickness plays a prominent role, so do the factors in your home. Quality Furnace Filters provides high quality replacement filters with top MERV ratings so that you get the best results in both air quality and energy efficiency.

Make sure you use the right kind of plunger when unclogging sinks, bathtubs and toilets.

There are two types of plungers – a cup plunger and a flange or funnel plunger.

The cup plunger is used to create suction against a flat surface, like the bottom of a sink or a bathtub. This is not the best plunger to use for clearing a clogged toilet.

To clear a clogged toilet you should always use a flange plunger. This type of plunger is best for use on a toilet bowl’s curved surface. The flange will create a better seal around the clogged toilet’s outlet because the shape of the bottom of the plunger is specifically designed for use on a toilet.

Unclogging The Toilet

Now That You Have the Right Tool For the Job

Gently push the flange plunger onto the drainage outlet at the bottom or your clogged toilet.

For best results, push the plunger down slowly, to allow the air to escape from the plunger.

Once the plunger has made a seal, plunge up and down quickly to unclog the pipe. Try not to break the seal while doing this.

Next you will want to test the toilet to see if the clog has been removed. Do not flush the toilet, instead pour a small amount of water down the clogged toilet from a bucket. If the water is draining away, you have solved the problem. If you do not have a bucket on hand, try opening the tank cover and carefully raising the toilet flapper just a bit.

Do NOT raise the flapper all the way. You do not want the toilet to overflow if the clog is still there and you end up in an even worse situation.

If the water begins to drain away, you toilet is unclogged. Now you can try flushing the toilet by using the handle.

My Mom turned me on to this cleaner and I have been using it throughout my home ever since!

In The Kitchen

• Sinks — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean sinks made of porcelain, stainless steel or solid surfaces. Other cleansers containing bleach are not recommended for stainless steel. BKF® is also recommended for sinks in bronze, brass and copper.
• Faucets — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean faucets in chrome, brass and other finishes.
• Countertops — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean countertops made of laminate, composite and solid surfaces.
• Cooktops — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean and remove discoloration on glass and ceramic cooktops.
• Cookware — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean and shine pots and pans made of stainless steel and copper.
• Tile & Grout — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean porcelain and ceramic tile. Bar Keepers Friend also cleans light colored grout.

In The Bathroom

• Sinks — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean sinks made of porcelain, ceramic or solid surfaces.
• Bathtubs — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean bathtubs made of porcelain, ceramic, acrylic or fiberglass.
• Faucets — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean faucets in chrome, brass and other finishes.
• Showers — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean showers made of porcelain tile, ceramic tile, acrylic or fiberglass. Bar Keepers Friend also cleans glass shower doors.
• Toilets — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean toilets without harsh chemicals.

General Uses

• Car Care — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean wheels, chrome, glass and more.
• Bicycles — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean rust from bicycles.
• Golf Clubs — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean stainless steel and composite golf clubs.
• Tools & More — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean garden tools, grills, wood deck stains, rust on stone and masonry and even the cymbals for a garage band drummer!

Daily Cleaning

• Use Bar Keepers Friend every day in kitchen and bath to keep surfaces clean and shiny. Its non-bleach formula removes tough stains, too.

• Removing Rust — Bar Keepers Friend removes rust better than other top-selling cleansers.

• Removing Lime — Bar Keepers Friend removes lime buildup and hard water stains better than other top-selling cleansers.

• Porcelain — Use Bar Keepers Friend every day to clean and shine porcelain surfaces. It’s also effective on tough hard water stains and rust.

• Stainless Steel — Bar Keepers Friend cleans and shines stainless steel. Other top-selling cleansers containing chlorine bleach are not recommended for stainless steel.

• Solid Surfaces — Bar Keepers Friend cleans nonporous solid surfaces such as Corian®.

• Chrome — Bar Keepers Friend removes hard water stains and makes chrome fixtures shine.

• Copper & Brass — Bar Keepers Friend removes tarnish and makes copper and brass shine. Do not use Bar Keepers Friend if the metal is lacquered.

• Fiberglass & Acrylic — Bar Keepers Friend cleans fiberglass and acrylic without scratching.

• Tile & Grout — Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean porcelain and ceramic tile. BKF® also cleans light colored grout.

****** DO NOT USE BAR KEEPERS FRIEND ON *******

Gold, silver, pewter, marble, lacquered metals, or anodized aluminum