Cleanliness of a home or building can have an effect on the internal air quality. You have to search deep to ensure that your home is truly clean. Just because you’ve managed to put the clutter away, it doesn’t mean your home is clean. On the other hand, don’t consider yourself a failure at cleanliness if you find that you have a little mold. Cleanliness is hard to quantify, but here are a few rules that can help:
- Consistent vacuuming –This the single biggest thing a person can do to help remove allergens from a home. Most of the dirt and pollen that enters the home settles in the carpet. Most carpet warranties not only require vacuuming, but a professional cleaning about every 18 months. Additionally, Dust mites also love carpet and because they are microscopic, their presence can be very hard to perceive. If they are suspected then high thread count sheets make it hard for them to live and plant eggs.
- Cleaning your home’s air ducts and replacing furnace filters– In a home with forced air, dust is pulled in and recirculated through the ductwork. It is recommended to have the air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years, or earlier if you notice more dust collecting on your furniture with regular cleaning. Replacing furnace filters on a regular basis is recommended to ensure that your furnace is more effective and the recirculated air is as clean as possible. Check your furnace recommendations and replace when you see that the filter is dirty.
- Cleaning after pets – I love dogs and cats, but four of the five people in my own family are allergic. Most people who have pets are usually not allergic, but sometimes people become “nose blind” to the issue. Vacuuming, wall washing, and regularly grooming your pets will help improve your home’s cleanliness.
- Testing the humidity level– There are many inexpensive devices on the market that give a humidity reading in a home ($10-$20 at most local hardware stores). Get a good idea what the humidity is in your home – especially in the basement. If it is consistently above 60%, then use a dehumidifier with a condensate pump. This is also a fairly easy DIY job for most people. Controlling the humidity levels can help reduce the growth of mold.
What are you house cleaning tips? We’d love to hear them.