STEP 2
Bedrooms
Every
home has dust mites. You can’t see them but they are there. They feed on our
skin flakes, as we shed about two pounds each year. We spend about a third of
our lives in bed so most dust mites are in our pillows, bedding, and bedroom
carpets. You can control them by keeping bedding clean and controlling dust.
Dust mites in the bedroom are a trigger for people with allergies and
asthma.
Use
special mite-proof covers to keep dust mites from getting into pillows. They are
sometimes call “allergen-impermeable”. If you don’t use covers, wash pillows at
least 4 time a year, and replace them every year.
Mattresses
should be cleaned every six months by a professional cleaner using an extraction method to reduce
allergens. A professional cleaner can also apply a neutralizing spray to reduce
allergen irritants between regular cleaning. Regular cleaning of carpets
upholstery should be part of your
allergen control plan.
Call
Clean Sweep at 833-1168
Warmth
+ Moisture+ Skin= Dust Mites
* Wash
sheets weekly in hot water-Treat once a month with Anti-Allergen
rinse
* Wash
pillows at least 4 time a year (unless you use a mite proof
cover)
* Wash
blankets and comforters at least monthly
* Professionally
clean mattresses at least every 6 month.
* Use
room air filter devices
STEP
3
Bathrooms
Mold
and mildew are time plants that grow where it’s warm and damp-like in the
shower. They release invisible “spores” into the air. The floating spores
trigger allergy and asthma episode. And wherever they land, the spores start
growing new mold.
Warmth
+ Moisture= Mold
Mold
can also grow on appliances-like air conditioners, dehumidifiers and
humidifiers. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to change filters and clean
regularly.
To
find products that remove or control mildew-read the label. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for wearing protective equipment if required. You can use an antibacterial
product two or three times a week to prevent mold from coming
back.
* Clean
shower stall and bathtubs
weekly
* Clean
soap scum weekly as mildew grows on it
* Wash
shower curtains monthly
* Wipe
up water around tubs and showers daily
* Wash
towels and bathmats weekly
STEP 4
Kitchen
Cockroaches
are attracted to food and moisture-including crumbs, cooking grease and plain
water. After dust mites, cockroaches are the second largest group of indoor
allergens. It’s important to remove or tightly cover all food and water,
especially at night when cockroaches are more active.
Food + Water +
Cockroaches!
Cockroaches
are often found around the refrigerator because of food spills and dampness.
These spills and moisture also grow mold. Keeping your refrigerator clean is an
important part of controlling allergens. Follow the cleaning instruction in your
owner’s manual.
Clean
food and grease from stove daily
Clean
up food and spill, crumbs and liquids on counter tops and floors
immediately
Empty
trash daily
Clean
the outside and inside of the refrigerator
Wash
floors at least weekly
Keep
food in closed containers
Use
baits or gel products to get rid of cockroaches. Follow instructions on the
product.
STEP 5
Living Areas
When
children play and crawl on the floor, they breathe in allergens. Keep carpet,
furniture and curtains as clean and dust free as possible. All home furnishings
should be professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Cleaning frequency is based
on the number of people in the home, if you have pets or smokers and the amount
of outside dust and pollution.
When
you vacuum, some of the allergens trapped in carpets and upholstery are thrown
into the air. Whenever possible, have a
non-allergic person do the vacuuming. Or, wear a dust mask and goggles if
eye allergies are a problem.
Use
a vacuum that has a HEPA (99.7% efficient) filter and/or exhaust filter; or use
a special bag that holds allergens inside the bag. Vacuum at least once a week
and more often if you have a pet. Empty the bag when it’s half full (or throw it
away if it’s disposable). An upright vacuum or a canister with a powered head is
best for carpet. A canister vacuum without a powered nozzle is fine for cleaning
upholstery, draperies, blinds and light dusting.
At
Clean Sweep Carpet and Fabric Care, we only use HEPA filtered vacuums. Call for
a demonstration to learn why you should have a HEPA filtered vacuum.
Mold
and germs grow in wet or damp carpeting. Carpets that have been damp or wet for
more than 24 hours should be removed or professionally cleaned and
restored.
Have
carpets, upholstery, area rugs and mattresses professionally cleaned on a
regular basis
Vacuum
carpets at least once a week using a HEPA filter vacuum
cleaner.
Do
not allow carpet to remain damp or wet for longer than 24
hours.
Clean
and dry window frames and sills on a regular basis.
Use
washable rugs at doors to catch dust, pollen and soil. Wash rugs at least once
a month.
Vacuum
upholstered furniture on a regular basis.
Damp
mop hard surface floors at least once a week.
Dirty carpets and fabrics
hold
dust
mites+ pollens + animal dander = allergies
STEP 6
Air Handling System
Most
homes and offices use a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
(HVAC). Other homes may have central heating but use wall unit air conditioners.
All heating and cooling systems should be cleaned on a regular
basis.
Air
duct systems can hold dust, pollen, animal dander, dust mites allergens and mold
spores. If you are an allergy sufferer and have never had your air handling
system cleaned, contact a professional to have this service
performed.
Condensation
in the air conditioning system, particularly during the summer, can collect and
be a breeding ground for mold. Make sure the system drip pans are cleaned and
moisture is draining properly.
Replaceable
filter should be changed monthly. A filter enhancer can be sprayed on to
disposable filters to improve their efficiency.
* We
spend 90% of our time indoors
* The
Environmental Protection Agency
research reveals the levels of some hazardous pollutants indoor is greater
than outdoor air.
* Prevent
moisture from accumulating in your HAVC system
* Use
filters over heating vents and change them regularly
* Change
system filters monthly
* Make
arrangements to have your system cleaned if it’s never been done in the
past.
STEP 7
Cleaning Products
Cleaning
products are tested by their manufactures to make sure they are safe to use.
But accidents can happen, especially with young children. Also, people who are
very sensitive to certain chemicals should be certain to read the product contents on the label
before purchasing harsh cleaning agents.
Here
are some ways to use cleaning products safely:
-
Open
windows when using cleaning products, especially if the asthmatic person
is home while the cleaning is done. Ask that person to go into another
room while cleaning.
-
Don’t
leave cleaning buckets where children or pets can get into them. Young
children can drown in very small amounts of liquid. Large buckets are
especially dangerous.
-
Never
mix different cleaning products together. They can make dangerous fumes
(like bleach and ammonia).
-
Store
cleaning products out of the reach of young children and away from
food.
-
Keep
products in their original containers with their in place.
-
Read
and follow label directions, different products work in different ways and
can have different use instructions.
-
Keep
the local poison control center number near your
phone.
-
Do
not
use products with high amounts of VOC’s (volatile organic
compounds).
STEP 8
The Clutter Plan
Want
to save time and reduce allergens? Then get rid of
clutter!
Having
lots of stuff around does more than clutter up a room. It makes cleaning harder
and gives places for dust and other allergens to collect. Follow these simple
steps to reduce clutter.
1. Sort
It Out
Start with a
bedroom and take everything out of the closet, dressers, shelves, and under the
bed. Put stuff in separate piles: clothes, shoes, toys, books, school supplies,
sport equipment etc.
Work
with your children to pick the toys and belongings that are most important, and
separate those they don’t use anymore.
2. Give
It A Home
Keep
similar items together so that children know where to find things. For example,
keep school supplies near the desk or table where your children do homework;
store videos by the VCR; toys in the play area, etc.
3.
Cover It
Put
items inside drawers, closets, covered boxes or plastic containers so dust can’t
collect on them. Put labels on containers to show where things belong. Have your
children write or draw labels
4.
Use It
Review
the “clutter plan” with your children. Remind them that controlling clutter may
help reduce asthma attacks. Have them try to put things back before getting out
something else. Or, schedule 5 minutes of clean-up every night.
STEP 9
Water Incursion
The
number one enemy of our homes is water. If you have water damage from broken
pipes, leaks or rain coming into your home-it must be treated immediately!
Steps need to be taken to dry the structure and its contents by a licensed and
certified water damage contractor. We at Clean Sweep Carpet and Fabric Care are
certified in Water Damage Restoration. Call us at
833-1168.
When
walls, flooring, carpets or parts of your home stay wet for longer than 24
hours, mold, and bacteria will grow. This can result in the release of severe
allergens into your home. Mold produces mycotoxins, which have the potential to
produce toxic affects to our immune system and internal
organs
With
moisture present, mold can grow on sheet rock, between the walls of your home or
under flooring. You may have a mold problem after a flood that is not at first
visible. Do not delay in immediately contacting your insurance company whenever
you have the unfortunate event of water damage.
* Keep
the name and number of your insurance agent near your phone in the event of
water damage.
* Contact
a plumber to immediately stop the flow of water from a broken pipe.
* Turn
off electricity at the main box before entering a room with standing water and
electrical appliances.
* Do
not put newspaper on the floor to try to absorb water.
* Call
Clean Sweep Carpet and Fabric Care at 833-1168 to immediately begin drying the
home and its contents.
STEP 10
Cleaning
If You Have Allergies or Asthma