Spring Cleaning Reduces Home Allergens

As winter ends, our thoughts turn to spring. It’s a time when we open windows to get fresh air flowing into our homes. It’s also a time for cleaning projects. Clean homes and clean air limit the number of indoor allergens. So, take charge of your spring cleaning this year with our room-by-room guide. Use it to clean your home or office today.

Spring Cleaning and Indoor Air Quality

One of the greatest benefits of spring cleaning is the improvement of indoor air quality. Breathing clean air inside the home is as important as it is outside. With every opening door and window dust and debris enter the house. Mold too. To reduce allergies it’s important to limit allergens. Several devices exist to help remove these particles from the air.

HEPA Vacuums

To get the best results from your spring cleaning, use a HEPA vacuum. A machine such as the Sanitaire Eon Allergen upright vacuum is a commercial-grade vacuum that is certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The HEPA filter is washable and the vacuum features an extension wand to get into every corner. Its upholstery brush and crevice tool reach deep into upholstery to remove allergens. In the end, the number of allergens is lowered significantly.

Air Purifiers

Cleaning doesn’t start or stop with spring and neither do allergies. Providing clean air is an ongoing effort too and it’s one made easier with air purifying fans. Once you’ve reduced the number of allergens in your home or office, devices such as the Dyson TP04 Pure Cool Tower capture allergens with HEPA-activated carbon filters. The tower uses Air Multiplier™ technology to detect pollution and provide full room circulation. 

Spring Cleaning Room by Room

Now it’s time to start your spring cleaning. Use this guide to clean every room in your home. Use it to clean waiting areas, reception, rooms, and offices too.

Entryways 

Limiting the number of indoor allergens starts at your front door. Place a doormat both inside and outside the front door and limit the dust and dirt that gets inside. Hose them off outside or vacuum them with a HEPA vacuum inside. Entryways get dirty quickly especially as snow melts and dirt settles. Also, sweep, mop, and wipe down walls, baseboards, and doors.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Molds thrive in moist areas and rooms with high humidity. Kitchens and bathrooms are breeding grounds for mold colonies. Most molds are visible but may be hidden behind baseboards or cabinets. Spring cleaning is a great time to test for mold inside the home as well as home allergens with indoor air quality test kits. Once you’ve determined the source of a problem, remediation follows. Tests are available for other types of home allergens too including fungi, dust mites, and bed bugs.

Be sure to clean and sanitize stovetops, ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers. Your refrigerator is a hotbed for bacteria too, so wipe down all drawers and shelves and get rid of old food. Clean the sink, wipe down walls and baseboards, and give the floor a good mopping. Wash dishcloths and replace old sponges too.

In the bathroom, it’s time to get at that tile grout with a firm scrub brush. Clean mirrors, vanity, and the toilet. It’s a good time to replace the shower curtain liner and wash the shower curtain, but don’t forget the shower head. Hard water builds up fast in some areas and this impacts water pressure. Mop floors and wash bath mats and rugs as a part of your spring cleaning effort too.

Basements and Laundry Rooms

Basements and utility rooms get damp and as a result mold forms. Therefore, it’s important to keep a close eye on potential mold issues. Wipe walls, mop floors, clean out dryer vents, and wipe baseboards. It’s a good opportunity to take stock of household cleaning supplies. Many of these products release volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) into the air which trigger allergy symptoms. Switch to non-toxic products when possible.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are a haven for dust bunnies and pet dander. These tiny particles trigger allergy symptoms in many people. So, wash comforters and bedding, vacuum curtains, carpeting, and rugs. Flip mattress, clean windows, and window sills as well.

Living Room and Dining Room

The living room and dining room need attention, especially if you have pets. Pet dander is a common allergen, therefore, get rid of that dust and dander with a good dusting and polish wood surfaces. Next, vacuum furniture and carpets. Also, shampoo rugs and carpeting as needed and clean ceiling fans, light fixtures and switches, lampshades, and wipe walls and baseboards. 

Start Your Spring Cleaning Today!

In conclusion, we hope this information inspires you in your spring cleaning efforts. Once you’ve finished, keep allergies at bay in every season with air purifiers and HEPA vacuums. Your family will thank you. They are great for work spaces too. For more information on these products, call us at 727-572-4550.