Having your ducts cleaned is a great way to improve the air quality in your home and keep your furnace from accumulating dirt and grime. But mold spores, pet dander, dust, and other particles can quickly find their way back into your ducts, leaving you right back where you started. Once you have your ducts cleaned, it's important to take measures to keep them clean. Here are three steps you can take.

Change your air filter.

Your furnace air filter is meant to trap particles and take them out of air circulation so they don't get a chance to build up in your ducts and inside your furnace. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners don't remember to change their furnace filters regularly, and as a result, grime builds up in their ductwork. Buy a stack of furnace filters. The inexpensive fiberglass ones are perfectly fine as long as you change them every month or two. Keep them next to your furnace, and set a reminder in your phone ever six to eight weeks so you don't forget to switch out your filter.

Vacuum more often.

Pollen, pet dander, and other debris are going to make their way into your home. If you can vacuum them up before they end up in your air system, your ducts will stay cleaner. Make sure the vacuum cleaner you have has good suction. If yours is old and outdated, or if it doesn't seem to suck dust up like it should, replacing it is a good idea. Vacuum your carpets weekly, or perhaps more often if you have pets or if you wear your shoes inside.

Keep your windows on high-pollen days and humid days.

Opening your windows to let in some fresh air can be enjoyable. But make sure you check the pollen counts and humidity levels before you do so. (Most weather channels and websites report these levels.) If the humidity or pollen count are indicated as "moderate" or "high," leave your windows closed. This way, your ducts won't become moist and perpetuate mold growth, and you won't have to worry about pollen building up in them, either.

How often you'll need your ducts cleaned will depend on how well sealed your home is, how often you use your heating and cooling system, and a variety of other factors. Your HVAC technician, such as Memorable Air Care, should be able to recommend a cleaning schedule based on your unique needs. Following the steps above between these appointments may help extend the time between them.