While most people think of spring cleaning as a way to improve the look and feel of their home, it also can be beneficial for your health. Doing a thorough spring clean can remove dust, allergens, and other pollutants that could cause respiratory problems.
With allergy season in full swing, it’s more important than ever to focus on improving your home’s indoor air quality. Here are some ways to do so.
Remove Dust and Dirt
Dust is a common culprit of allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. It comprises dead skin cells, pollen, animal dander and waste, insect dander, dust mite debris, pet dander, fabric particles, dryer lint, and other materials.
Vacuuming frequently is one of the best strategies to reduce dust in your home. With spring cleaning services, your home will be considerably cleaner. Vacuuming removes bacteria, allergens, mold spores from the air, dust, and other microscopic particles that build in your carpets, rugs, and upholstery.
A damp cloth is another great way to clean hard surfaces without spreading dust around. A lamb’s wool duster with an electrostatic charge is a good choice, too.
Remove Allergens
Allergens are tiny particles that cause a variety of symptoms for allergy sufferers. They may include runny noses, itchy eyes, and sneezing, among other things.
Several substances, including pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold, can cause allergies. Cleaning your home correctly can help eliminate irritants and improve indoor air quality.
Regular cleaning and using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which captures microscopic particles before they are released into the air, can help minimize allergens. You can also wash your bedding and upholstered furniture in hot water to kill off pet dander and dust mites.
Remove Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are common household nuisances that can cause health problems if left untreated. They produce spores that spread throughout the home, so you should clean up the affected areas as soon as possible to prevent them from growing back.
Mildew can be removed from surfaces with household cleaners or a bleach solution. Never combine bleach with ammonia or other cleaning agents since the combination can result in a hazardous gas.
Mold can also grow inside walls; if it’s a significant infestation, it may require professional help. Signs include an earthy odor, allergy symptoms that clear up when you leave home, and stains or dampness on walls.
Remove Pet Dander
As we discussed earlier, pet dander is one of the most common allergens that can affect people with allergies. Little, rough-edged fragments of pet skin make up dander.
They are very lightweight, so they float in the air and stick to surfaces when they fall off a pet.
Those dander particles become airborne whenever a disturbance occurs, such as someone coming in and out of the room.
The easiest way to get rid of pet dander and other allergens in your home is to clean it periodically. Dusting your floors, curtains, furniture & cushion covers at least once a month is a great start.
Remove Bacteria
Taking action to clean your home is crucial because it can get contaminated with microorganisms. A professional home cleaning service can help with this task, and you will benefit from the fresh air that a clean home brings!
The Respiratory Health Association* states that poor indoor air quality is a common cause of respiratory problems. Pollutants such as radon gas, particulate matter, and moisture can affect your health.
Dust, pollen, and pet dander can build up over the winter, but a deep spring cleaning can remove them and improve air quality. It will reduce your risk of respiratory problems, and it will also make you feel better!