MERV 11 & MERV 13 Filters and why I switched to them

I'll admit it: I would completely forget to replace my air filter. It was a "I'll do it next Saturday" type of thing that always seemed to turn into "oh, maybe once a year. if I don't forget." But a few months back, I came down with something. My allergies were worse, and the house was dusty despite my best cleaning efforts

That's when I researched—and found Filter-Monster's MERV 11 and MERV 13 filters. Not only are they super effective, they're also BRIGHT yellow, which honestly reminds me. Like, I see it when I'm in the basement, and it's a little mental reminder: "Hey, change me!"

MERV 11 vs. MERV 13: What I Learned

If you're like me and had no clue what MERV stood for (no judgment, I had to look it up too), here's the short version:

MERV 11 eliminates dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander particles. Essentially everything that's floating around in an average home.

MERV 13 goes a step further—capturing particles such as smoke, bacteria, and even viruses that are airborne.
I ultimately put MERV 11 throughout most of the house, and MERV 13 in the filter that's nearest my daughter's bedroom since she has mild asthma. Complete game-changer. The air actually smells cleaner, and we just all feel better.

Alright But… How Often Do You Actually Need to Replace It?

Every 90 days is the suggestion—and now I finally do, thanks to the sticker on the filter. You can literally mark the day you put it in your calendar. No guessing. No phone reminder that I'll just ignore anyway.

If you have pets or are experiencing wildfires or heavy seasonal pollen, you may want to replace it even earlier.

Final Thoughts I never thought I'd be the one getting excited over an air filter… here we are. These filters make it so easy to keep your air clean, and when you're a busy parent, pet owner, or just someone who wants to breathe a little easier—small wins like this make a big difference. So yeah, Filter-Monster's MERV 11 and MERV 13? I'm a fan.