Most people associate springtime with increased allergic symptoms and an overwhelming desire to clean the home. Fortunately, cleaning your home can help relieve common allergies, and not just in the spring. Although outdoor pollen counts may be elevated during these months, indoor air quality can cause allergies all year round. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your spring cleaning and improve your indoor air quality throughout the year.
1 – Although allergens can be found on almost any surface, airborne particles are most likely to cause the respiratory symptoms most commonly associated with spring allergies. Using high quality portable room air purifiers with High Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filters that remove 99.9% of airborne particles can help to drastically reduce allergic reactions. Models like the IQAir HealthPro can process large amounts of air and remove most of the dust, dander, pollen, and spores that cause discomfort.
2 – Use a vapor steam cleaner to disinfect and deodorize the surfaces in your home. Pure, chemical-free steam naturally disinfects windows, appliances, counters, floors, carpets, and upholstery and kills harmful bacteria, mold and mites. Although you can hire a professional to perform this service, there are small, affordable cleaners that allow you to clean and disinfect your home throughout the years. Purchasing a unite, like the Whitewing vapor steam cleaner, can actually save you money in the long run.
3 – Although vacuuming is important, it doesn't do any good if you don't have the right vacuum. Improper techniques and poor quality devices can leave both your home and your air dirtier than before you started. Some vacuums throw dust and allergens back into the air while bagless vacuums create even more problems if you empty the container inside the home. Be sure to use vacuums with HEPA filters that trap airborne particles while it sucks in dirt. And empty out bags and containers outside the home and away from any open windows or doors.
4 – If you are unsure about the types of air pollutants in your home, there are test kits available for you to test your air. Cockroach allergens, pollen, dust mites, fiberglass, formaldehyde, and pet dander are only a few of the common allergens found in most homes. Testing airborne allergen levels can help you determine specific problems and tailor your cleaning accordingly.
5 – Wash your bed linens at least twice a week and keep your pets off the bed. Although most people like to sleep with their animals, dogs and cats leave dander and hair on your bed, potentially causing respiratory problems for you in your sleep. Dust mites and dirt can also build up on bedding and sheets should be washed in hot water twice a week to kill these small mites.
6 – Shower before bed. Although cleaning your sheets is important, pollen and air pollutants collect in your clothes and air throughout the day. If you don't shower prior to climbing into bed, these allergens build up on your sheets and can cause respiratory problems for you when you sleep.
7 – Use dehumidifiers in areas of your home with high moisture levels in the air. Mold and mildew love basements, bathrooms, and kitchens because of their high humidity levels and keeping proper ventilation and dehumidifiers in these areas helps prevent against growth of harmful microorganisms. Small dehumidifiers, like those produced by Danby, take up very little space but provide essential moisture relief in any room. Also, make sure to properly fix and clean any leaks in plumbing and keep areas ventilated to the outdoors.
8 – Use air filters whenever possible. Most furnaces and vents come equipped with areas for removable filters. Although filters should be replaced regularly, some can be cleaned to help save you money. Be sure to read the instructions and labels on any filter to ensure proper use and installation. Furnace and vent filters help trap larger airborne particles and work well when used in conjunction with portable room air purification units.
9 – Indoor air quality is traditionally worse than the air outside. While cleaning and whenever possible, open windows and doors to facilitate air exchange and remove any dust particles that became airborne during cleaning.
You should use these tips to improve your indoor air quality all year round. Although springtime is the traditional season for cleaning, consider using these techniques to reduce indoor allergens throughout the year. Dust, pollen, and other airborne pollutants can cause respiratory problems in sensitive individuals and asthma suffers need to be especially careful when it comes to indoor allergens. The installation of air purifiers and HEPA filters coupled with proper cleaning techniques can go a long way in improving the quality of life for you and your family.
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