We all look forward to the beauty of spring: blooming flowers, warm weather, and longer days to enjoy it all. However, the joys also bring headaches, itchy eyes, and constant sneezing. According to WebMD, almost half of Americans will test positive for mold and other types of indoor allergens. Without our realizing it, allergens make their way into our homes, causing flare-ups while we work, relax and sleep. Read on for some of Maid For You, Inc.’s best tips on helping your family suffer less from indoor allergens.
How allergens come indoors
Brought in by you and your guests
You may not realize it, but each step you take outside later brings allergen irritants into the home. Everywhere you go, your shoes track pollen, dust, and dirt into your home. Even the most careful person will unknowingly get an irritant on the bottom of their shoe, which is then brought into and spread throughout the home. Wiping your feet on a pretty welcome mat may prevent some of this, but, inevitably, irritating material still makes its way inside.
Produced by everyday activities: cooking, sleeping, etc.
When we use our stove or oven and heat is produced, moisture forms from the condensation. This moisture then cools down and has the potential to develop into mold. The kitchen can be a breeding ground for mold, especially when weekly deep-cleanings are not done. The same goes for the bathroom, which tends to be a smaller space. The lack of ventilation further invites mold to grow.
Comes in through windows and doorways
We all love fresh air, and it’s important to ventilate a home, but windows are the perfect place for allergies to come in. Each time you open up your window, you let pollen come inside and spread onto furniture and the floor. Similarly, the force from opening up the door brings in unwanted pollen, not to mention how much comes in when you leave your door open for any extended amount of time. A screen door may help to shield some irritants from entering in, but it’s impossible to block them all out. That’s why keeping on top of cleaning during allergy season is so important.
How you can reduce allergies
1 – Get a serious rubberized bristle mat
They may not be quite as cute and inviting as other welcome mats, but a serious rubberized mat may help to reduce the amount of allergens tracked on the bottom of shoes. Go for one that has longer, thick, rough bristles, and place it outside of the most often used entrances.
2 – Keep moisture out of the home to reduce mold
Mold is a major irritant for most people. It can’t always be seen, but mold circulates throughout the air. To keep it to a minimum, always use vent fans in the kitchen and the bathroom. When you see condensation forming on appliances or on sinks and tubs, wipe it down immediately.
3 – Keep the kitchen spick-and-span
Our kitchens can be the perfect place for allergens to hide, unbeknownst to the untrained eye. A professional housecleaner will know how to spot areas where mold and irritants gather. For example, the refrigerator drip pan can be a hot bed for germs if not cleaned out once a month. Hidden mold can also grow on the oven’s vent hood.
4- Vacuum carpets regularly
Carpeting provides warmth, but it also collects and hides dust and dirt. Carpeting also attracts pollen that shoes track into the home. Regularly vacuuming (as often as every few days or so) will allow you to prevent this dirt from collecting and further spreading. If you can vacuum using a HEPA-filter, that will help even more.
5 – Wash your kids toys
Kids’ toys provide fun and comfort, but their plush material collects dust and attracts dust mites. Wash stuffed animals on a regular basis and avoid keeping them in one big pile.
6- Wash your bedding regularly
One major contributor to allergies are dust mites, which live and breed anywhere dust collects. They particularly love bedding, mattresses and pillows, which explains why they prefer the bedroom. Make sure you regularly wash your sheets and bedding. If you don’t have the time, you can always turn to a professional like Maid For You, Inc. and let them take care of your laundry needs.
Let professionals help
It’s never easy to find time to clean your home as much as needed to keep your family’s allergies to a minimum. Maid For You, Inc. can help by providing the type of regular cleaning that will minimize irritants in your home. Save yourself a headache and give us a call today at (215) 370-7993 for a free quote.