Best Practices For Keeping An Allergy Free Home (It's More Than Just Carpet Cleaning)

 

There are many medications out there designed to help you feel better once you start experiencing allergy symptoms, but why not just prevent the symptoms altogether with a comprehensive allergen control plan? To avoid allergy triggers while at home, follow these tips for banishing dust mites, pollen, pet dander, smoke, mold, and other household allergens.

In the Living Room

The key to allergy-proofing your home is to think like an allergen, and then extensively clean all the places where allergens tend to linger. Examples include carpeting, upholstery, curtains, blinds, wall hangings, shelves, and knickknacks. Twice weekly carpet cleaning sessions with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter are essential, along with regular dusting and biweekly vacuuming of any upholstery. Additionally, keep windows closed during allergy season and watch out for signs of mold and moisture near windows.

In the Bedroom

You most likely spend more time in your bedroom than any other room in your home, so this room is not to be missed. Cover your pillows, box spring, and mattresses with dust mite-proof covers, and wash your bedding in hot water at least once a week. Window coverings are a favorite place of allergens, so wash them weekly as well. Try to eliminate as much clutter as possible in the bedroom, and keep pets out as well. You can also remove any stray allergens from the air by running a HEPA filter while you're sleeping.

In the Bathroom

Mold is an allergen that thrives on moisture, so take steps to reduce moisture in the bathroom. Use an exhaust fan during and after showers and baths to quickly move steam out of the room, and avoid moisture-trapping wallpaper. You should also avoid rugs, window coverings, and fabrics when possible, or at least clean them regularly. Another trick is to dry the shower or tub after each use, and to clean the tub, tiles, sink, toilet, and floor with a five-percent chlorine bleach solution once a week to further prevent mold.

In the Kitchen

Much like the bathroom, the main goal in the kitchen is to control moisture. Use an exhaust fan to remove steam from cooking, and always keep the sink empty and dry. Check your refrigerator weekly for moldy food, and empty garbage containers daily.

Additional Best Practices

Don't allow smoking in your home and keep pets (and their allergy-inducing dander) outside if possible or at least off of furniture. Have your carpet professionally cleaned twice a year (or more if you suffer from particularly bad allergies). To keep insects and other pests at bay make sure to keep all countertops, cabinets, appliances, floors, and other hard surfaces clean. Should any insect or pest problems arise, take action at the first signs of invasion. Fix any plumbing leaks promptly. If after all of these steps moisture remains a problem in the home, use a dehumidifier.

Taking these steps to eliminate or reduce allergens around your home may seem overwhelming at first, but the comfort you'll enjoy as a result will be worth it. Stop treating allergy symptoms by getting rid of the triggers - follow these best practices for allergy-proofing your home today!

  

Advice You Should Follow When Getting Your Carpets Cleaned

What stands out to you first and foremost when you look at a room? If you view the carpet, you could have an issue. Great carpets are not going to be the center of attention in a room if they're cleaned. If your carpets jump out at you as dirty, you need to hire a professional to clean them. Use the tips below to help you with this.

You should vacuum your carpets prior to having them professionally cleaned. You can compare the areas you have already vacuumed with those you have not. If your room is square, make the room into four quadrants for more efficient cleaning.

If you are going to clean a large area of carpet, be sure to perform a test on a small unobtrusive area first. Some acid products can damage carpets or cause discoloration. A reputable company should do this any way.

Make sure to wash the new carpets that you purchase the moment they enter your home. Chemicals are sometimes used to make a carpet more presentable. Limit your family's exposure to such chemicals by giving carpets a good cleaning once they are brought into your home.

Remember that chemical carpet cleaning agents can expose members of your family to something that is potentially harmful. You must read cleaning product labels every time. Also think about green solutions like salt, baking soda or vinegar applications for carpet rinsing.

If you are renting a carpet cleaning machine, be sure to read and follow all instructions carefully. The instructions may tell which material to use it on, discuss room ventilation and explain how to safely remove any chemical you accidentally come in contact with. Be sure to do this in advance of turning the machine on.

Shampoo your carpet with some warm water and some vinegar. This costs less than getting cleaning products and it works well. You'll need to shop around for the best company to use. You'll be happy with the result.

When you're trying to clean a carpet, money can be saved on deodorizing it by using some baking soda. Commercial carpet deodorizers contain mostly baking soda and added fragrance. You can save money if you use baking soda. If you want a scent, mix essential oils with the baking soda and let it dry.

You must clean your carpet on a regular basis if you have a pet. If you spent money on some expensive carpet, try keeping your pet out of your living room or use rugs to protect your carpet. Carpets should be vacuumed twice weekly and cleaning solvents are handy to keep on hand.

Ask about the background of any company's employees. This will help you to determine who will be entering your home. Most companies do perform a background check on their employees. If they don't tell you, you should keep looking.

If you choose a good carpet cleaner, you can get your carpets into like-new condition relatively cheaply. You will probably want to keep them clean so you'll take better care of them and be able to focus on other things. Apply the tips you just read and do your best to clean your carpet on a regular basis.

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Carpet Cleaning: What You Need To Know

Few things are as satisfying as a great looking home, but that can't happen if your carpets aren't clean. Finding the right professional for the job isn't always easy and the following article can help you accomplish just that. Use these tips to find the best company and get the best results!

When a carpet-cleaning company is cleaning your carpet, they should avoid using a significant amount of heat. If you have a delicate fiber or lots of vivid colors in your carpet, these can be ruined. They can easily remove stains from these delicate floors.

When you are trying to clean a stain off of your carpet, never rub. Always use a blotting motion with a cotton ball as this will help to pull the stain from the rug. Rubbing will just spread the stain, making it much more difficult to remove from your floor.

When it comes to looking for a carpet cleaning company, do not always believe that cheaper is better. In fact, when a company offers a very low rate, you ought to be wary of them. Usually, a company with steeper rates will provide you with better, more efficient results.

Ask any company that you contact about carpet cleaning if they have special chemicals for your high traffic areas. In most cases your carpet will be quite clean in every area other than these, so you will likely only need the powerful stuff to be used here. If they do not have such a service you should consider using a different company.

Find out what types of chemicals are used. Before your carpet cleaning appointment arrives, make sure you know what is going to be used in your home. Some cleaning chemicals are potentially harmful, both to the environment and people with sensitive respiratory systems. You should always make sure that the products being used in your home meet your approval.

Consider purchasing a high quality carpet cleaner for your home if you plan to keep your carpeting for a long time. These cleaners can be quite expensive, but if you compare them with the cost of hiring a professional, it can be very reasonable. Just think how nice it would be to remedy a stain right away instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you.

A good carpet cleaner can offer advice on the proper way to care for your newly cleaned carpet. They may let you know when to vacuum and what the best stain remover is. Do what your carpet cleaner recommends to keep your carpet looking clean and fresh.

Which type of carpet you have will play a huge role in which style of carpet cleaning company you choose. For example, natural carpet textiles have to be kept dry to avoid discoloration or shrinkage. In these cases, a dry chemical compound is your best choice, so research your options.

When your carpets are squeaky-clean, it's easy to get the rest of your home looking fabulous. Hopefully this article has shown you the best ways to find a great home cleaning professional for your carpets. Hire the best and enjoy the feeling of clean and beautiful carpeting in every room in your home.