Warm Weather Update: Improve the Indoors by Getting Allergens Out
Tips for home, carpet and rug care
(ARA) - Today, carrying a rug outside to beat over the backyard clothesline seems like an old-fashioned cleaning routine. The idea of getting dirt that people, pets and the environment bring into your home and onto your carpet back outdoors is, however, a great idea. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has several easy cleaning recommendations that will also help reduce indoor allergens.
The sunny weather forecast makes it the perfect time to think about cleaning tips to keep indoor carpet maintenance under control -- without taking up a lot of free time when everyone wants to be outside.
Allergy Alert
Allergy sufferers who feel discomfort in their noses, throats and eyes will benefit from a little "elbow grease." That's because keeping the home clean can minimize the impact that the worst allergy-inducing culprits -- ragweed, dust and mold -- will have on the body.
Pediatric allergists routinely advise parents to really make an effort to keep homes clean during peak allergy seasons. Reducing household allergen triggers, which include mildew and animal dander, can be an effective strategy for tempering allergy symptoms.
"It may be a surprise that a clean home can have such an impact on how you feel," said Brenda Murry of the CRI. "Regularly cleaning your home contributes to better indoor air quality -- reducing the symptoms your family may experience due to allergies or a high pollen count. Even though everyone is anxious to get outdoors, now is not the time to fall behind on household chores."
Contact an allergist, immunologist or CRI for a copy of the "Clearing the Air In Your Home" brochure.
Vacuum
CRI recommends vacuuming floor coverings in the whole house at least once a week and high-traffic areas should be vacuumed twice weekly. If pets live indoors with the family, some areas may need vacuuming daily.
Move furniture to clean all carpeted areas, especially under tables and seating. Use only vacuums with strong suction, adjustable brushes and high-efficiency filtration. CRI also advises changing a vacuum's disposable bag regularly, or cleaning the permanent one, and checking for worn belts.
In order to identify vacuums that perform to the industry's high standards, CRI has initiated a new partnership program with vacuum cleaner manufacturers. The CRI Vacuum Cleaner Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing Program recognizes vacuum cleaners as models that have efficient soil removal, keep dust in the machine and out of the air, and keep carpet looking good.
Consumers should look for the bright green IAQ program labels on the vacuum cleaner packaging, merchandise displays, or hang tags when selecting a model.
Busting the Dust Dust-mites are invisible insects that may be causing allergic reactions. They hide everywhere indoors, but particularly in mattresses and pillows. To control the mites, look first in bedrooms.
Wash sheets, pillowcases, and stuffed animals in hot water -- of at least 130 degrees F -- once a week. Regularly wash comforters, dust ruffles, and other bedding. Mattresses and pillows encased in "allergen-control" covers are helpful.
Other rooms collect dust, too -- living rooms, family rooms, dining rooms and home offices. Clean them at least once a week by vacuuming all floors and upholstered furniture and dusting shelving, ceiling fans, light fixtures and storage units. To minimize dust, store books and knick-knacks in closed cabinets -- doing so leaves fewer places for dust to settle and makes cleaning easier.
Minimizing Moisture
Experts recommend maintaining relative humidity level at or below 55 percent indoors. This can be achieved by running the air conditioning when it's hot (or heating when it's cold). A dehumidifier is a good idea for moist spaces, such as basements. Using air conditioning, heating equipment, and a dehumidifier minimizes mold and mildew and discourages dust mite populations because they don't survive in relative humidity under 55 percent.
Warm, moist kitchens and bathrooms provide a breeding ground for mold and mildew, so clean them often with disinfectant cleaners. Launder all towels and rugs weekly in hot water. Repair leaky faucets to discourage mold and mildew growth. In addition, food in the kitchen provides fodder for insects to flourish, so clean off all grease and food, seal cracks around cabinets, and store food in closed containers.
Window-Drop
Cool, breezy days are quite inviting. While the temptation may be to open the windows and let the fresh air in, consider keeping them closed. Windy, cooler days are often the most likely to have the highest pollen count. It's also important to clean windowsills and window frames with a damp cloth weekly. All window treatments -- blinds, shutters and curtains -- should be cleaned on a regular basis.
By following these tips, you'll feel a lot more comfortable hibernating indoors once cool weather returns.
For more information on these tips and answers to other carpet cleaning questions, call the Carpet and Rug Institute's consumer information line at 800-882-8846 or visit the Web site at www.carpet-rug.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
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