Spring is fast approaching, and we cannot wait to have that sense of new hope and fresh beginnings in the air once more. Unfortunately, allergens are also in the air. So, if you want to avoid months of sneezing and rubbing your eyes, allergy proofing your home with carpet cleaning and additional precautions is vital.
An array of allergies may enter your home at this time of the year, including but not limited to:
- Air contaminants
- Dust mites
- Moulds
- Pet hairs
- Pollen
While you may not be able to stop all allergies and allergens from entering the home, prevention is always the best form of protection. Here’s how to protect your home ahead of the Spring.
Employ carpet cleaning to keep pollens away
Pollen is the biggest threat to your allergies, particularly in the period of September to December. Pollen can enter the home from your clothes or from fresh air entering through the window. They will settle onto the carpet and other home surfaces to cause havoc for your allergies.
A professional carpet cleaning service can remove any existing pollens from the floors. This should be followed by regular vacuuming and floor cleaning throughout the Spring. You should also wipe down any wall tiles in your home and dust fabrics. Further precautions include;
- Taking shoes off at the door
- Avoid spending too much time outside between 6 AM and midday
- Dry your clothes indoors
- Choose the right house plants to aid air quality without increasing pollen counts
Tackle dust mites
Your property probably houses thousands of dust mites at any given time, but they become a more noticeable issue during the Spring months. A professional carpet cleaning and fabric vacuuming can significantly reduce the numbers just in time for this challenging period.
Staying on top of the dust mites count with regular vacuuming can be achieved by investing in a model that includes a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. Dust mites are most commonly found in bedding and other fabrics. The following steps will help you avoid allergies all Spring long;
- Wash the bedding weekly.
- Let more natural light into the home as UV light kills dust mites.
- Take your mattress out into the sunlight for an hour for added UV light benefits.
- Follow a good skincare routine as dead skin cells are dust mites’ food of choice.
Keep mould at bay with regular cleaning
Mould grows in moist, warm settings. Spring makes the bathroom and kitchen hot breeding grounds, which can cause allergies to flare-up, as well as breathing problems. You should be able to spot larger mould spores, but you will also want to treat small infestations before they have a chance to grow.
Expert cleaners can be hired to tackle severe infestations, but early identification and treatment should enable you to keep the home safe and clean at all times. A vinegar and water solution can be used to scrub mould spores away. As for prevention, try these tips;
- Add a dehumidifier to small rooms or rooms with poor air circulation,
- Run exhaust fans when showering and let them run for a few minutes after,
- Open bathroom windows to allow moisture to leave.
- Regularly clean your windows
- Use an extractor fan when cooking.
Additional Spring preparations
There are a variety of other issues that may need your attention depending on personal circumstances. The most common are pet hairs and problematic air conditioners. Cleaning the air conditioner ahead of the warmer months, where it will be used more frequently is highly advised.
However, a professional repair service may be required if the air conditioner has been left untreated for some time. While you aren’t going to get rid of your pets due to Spring allergies, you must try to reduce the negative impact. You can do this by;
- Keep your pet’s hair short,
- Wash your pet at least once per week, and wash your hands throughout the day.
- Wash your pet’s bedding on a frequent basis.
- Use regular vacuuming to pick up any hair from the carpets.
Of course, you can give yourself a better starting point by arranging a professional carpet cleaning service. Give us a call to learn more today!