Sparkle & Smile

Blog for Cleaner and Healthier Homes

Healthy Body

Allergies, Cleaning, and Your Health

Indoor allergies impact the lives of millions each year and have the potential to cause chronic health problems ranging from allergies, upper respiratory issues and asthma. However, these allergies can easily be managed by reducing the level of airborne allergens in the home. 

Dust consists of microscopic particles found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Typically, house dust allergies are triggered by common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, cockroach waste, pet dander and mold. Symptoms of a house dust allergy include sneezing, runny, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion and a runny nose.

Vacuum Cleaners:

Cleaning the surfaces in the home may not be enough to remove allergens and prevent their recirculation back into the indoor air. An essential tool for household cleaning is a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuum. HEPA filters are designed to trap small particles such as allergens and prevent their recirculation.  Traditional vacuums put allergens back into the indoor air triggering house dust allergies. 

Carpeting:

Carpets easily trap airborne particles and allergens such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander. Reducing trapped allergens and house dust requires:

Regular weekly or twice weekly vacuuming with a HEPA filtered vacuum.

Professional cleaning every six months to a year to remove trapped allergens, mold and other particles able to re-circulate into the air.

Removal of carpeting may be recommended for those with moderate to severe allergies. 


House Dust and Dust Mites:

Bedding, comforters, curtains, towels and other soft surfaces trap dust mites. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, dust mites are the most common trigger of allergies and asthma. Several steps can be taken to reduce the level of dust mites as an allergen trigger in the home.

  • Vacuuming soft surfaces to remove dust once or twice weekly.
  • Washing bedding, comforters, towels and curtains in hot water reaching at least   130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Use of allergen proof covers or hypoallergenic pillows and mattresses. 


Helpful Household Tips:

 

  • Use HEPA filtration air purifiers and systems to remove airborne allergens and reduce symptoms caused by house dust allergies.
  • Use a dust mask while cleaning if needed. This will limit the exposure to airborne allergens in the home, and decrease allergy symptoms.
  • Clean up after meals. Open food not only attracts bugs and mice, but cockroach waste in particular can trigger a house dust allergy.
  • Dry all surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen after use, and check for leaks in the plumbing that can result in mold growth.
  • Use natural homemade green cleaning solutions to clean your home.
  • Basements, vents and crawl spaces can hide and trap allergens and household dust, pushing them into clean areas of the home. These areas should be cleaned on a regular basis because they easily hide areas with high moisture and humidity, promoting mold growth and circulation of spores in the home.


Indoor Allergy Relief is Possible!


Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to http://greencleancertified.com and http://maidbrigade.com. To learn more about the asthma and allergy triggers in your home, or to learn more about household products and breast cancer, please log on to http://www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Additional Articles You might Like

View More
Cleaning Tips Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Maid Brigade Busts Common Green Cleaning Myths  — Sustainable packaging. Sustainable lifestyles. Sustainable business practices. It seems as though sustainability and environmental consciousness have been hot topics recently.[…]

blog recent img 1
link post
About Us Cleaning Tips

Holiday Prep Made Easy: How Maid Brigade Takes Cleaning Off Your To-Do List — Getting ready for the holidays? The last thing you want to do is add “make more time for cleaning” and[…]

blog recent img 2
link post
Cleaning Tips Home Organization

How Often Should You Schedule a Deep Cleaning for Your Home? — Although a quick pass with the vacuum or a routine dusting will keep your home looking fresh, clean, and inviting,[…]

blog recent img 3
link post

Subscribe for
the latest tips, tricks and green tech news.