Finally, it’s spring cleaning time along the Connecticut shoreline. From Old Saybrook to New Haven CT it is time to freshen up your carpets, upholstery and drapes with a good thorough steam cleaning.
Unfortunately, the onset of spring also means that a lot of our customers will be suffering from allergies related to seasonal pollens, dust mites and their droppings, pet dander, mold and mildew. It is impossible to keep these allergens from coming into your home, regardless of whether your floors are hard surfaces or carpets and rugs. All of your indoor textiles including carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and draperies act as air filters and help to keep these microscopic allergens from being airborne. Like all air filters, your indoor textiles need to be cleaned out periodically in order to maintain indoor air quality.
Can carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, mattress cleaning and drapery cleaning help to relieve allergy symptoms? Absolutely. Many of our Absolute Best Cleaning customers who suffer from allergies report that they feel much better after we have deep cleaned their indoor textiles.
Everyone is exposed to dust mites on a daily basis. They are microscopic eight legged creatures that feed on dust, which is largely comprised of dead (human) skin flakes. Many people are allergic to their fecal droppings and the microscopic body parts and shed husks that they leave behind. Allergic symptoms include sneezing, itchy eyes, asthma, nasal stuffiness, respiratory problems, and eczema.
Household dust can also contain other allergens like cat and dog dander, cigarette ash, cockroach droppings, mold spores and pollen. Most of these allergens are so small that they can become airborne and be inhaled when they are disturbed (e.g. by walking across a hard surface where they have settled or by sitting on an upholstered sofa). Steam cleaning your carpets, upholstery, and fabric window treatments can dramatically reduce the number of these allergens in your home and provide immediate relief.
What else can you do to improve indoor air quality?
- Reducing humidity will decreases dust mite and mold growth. Run you air conditioners to help reduce the humidity as well to prevent outdoor allergens from coming in through open windows.
- Control dust mites by keeping surfaces in the home clean and uncluttered. Wipe down or dust surfaces on a regular basis.
- Put zippered allergen impermeable or plastic covers on all pillows, mattresses and box springs. Regularly wash uncovered pillows and stuffed toys in hot water (130 degree F.) to kill mites.
- Vacuum once or twice per week. Keep in mind, though, that vacuuming will not get to dust mites deep in carpets and mattresses. Vacuuming will also put dust in the air, so use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or special double filter bags. If you have allergies, wear a dust mask while doing housework. Use a damp or treated cloth for dusting. Leave the house for several hours after cleaning it.
- If you are allergic to animal dander, do not keep household pets with feathers or fur.
- Avoid mold spores by reducing moisture around the bathroom, kitchen and other water areas of the home. Dehumidifiers will help reduce both mold and dust mites.
Call Absolute Best Cleaning every 6-12 months for carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and fabric window treatment cleaning. We also clean tile and grout, and stone surfaces like granite and marble.