samedi 15 février 2014

The Hidden Dangers In Your Home

By Suzanne Herrman


Sometimes it's easy to see areas of your home that need cleaning. A spot on your carpet or a touch of mildew in your shower are easy to see. But there are also many microscopic dangers lurking in a home, and while these might not be visible to our eyes, they can pose a threat to our health and need to be eliminated.

Dust mites are tiny creatures that exist by eating organic matter such as flakes of skin from humans and their pets. Their excrement contains enzymes that seriously can aggravate asthma and allergies. These mites are extremely resilient and can live in almost any climate. In addition, dust mites also can live in your carpet, pillows, mattresses and furniture upholstery.

Dust mites aren't the only thing you might not be able to see. Sometimes mold is visible, but often it lurks under carpets or in the backs of cabinets or other areas you cannot see easily. In addition, other types of fungi as well as bacteria can rest in your curtains, carpet and upholstery. All of these can pose a risk to your health, and even if you aren't asthmatic, mold can cause sore throats, coughing, sneezing, headaches and runny noses.

The good news is that with thorough cleaning, you can reduce or eliminate these toxins. This cleaning includes weekly or bi-weekly dusting and vacuuming, as well as airing out and cleaning areas prone to mold. You also will need to plan on having your carpets and rugs professionally cleaned and probably your upholstery, as well. This removes a great deal of dust, debris, bacteria and fungi from your home.

Turning on your heater or air conditioner can be a way to circulate dust and toxins around your home. Turning these items off isn't the answer, but you can clean or replace the air filters to ensure that dirt is trapped in the filter and not floating around your house. Scheduling a yearly air duct cleaning is another important step in keeping the air in your home as safe as possible. Fortunately some carpet cleaners offer this service, so you can knock off two cleanings in one day.

While it is impossible to eliminate every toxin from our lives, the cleaner we keep our flooring and carpeting, the healthier we will be. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that carpet cleaning in your home should be scheduled at least once every year and bi-annually if you live in a home with children, pets or your loved ones have asthma or are prone to allergies.




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