Terry Haifax
Northern News Services
Hay River (Apr 06/01) - Spring cleaning does more than just make your home a neater place to live, it makes a healthier place.
Bacteria, mold and mildew can all contribute to an unhealthy environment. Cleaning helps remove allergens, which aggravates people susceptible to allergic reactions.
The allergens inside the house -- dust mites, animal dander, and mold -- should be addressed on a weekly basis but seldom are, hence spring cleaning is mandatory.
The central heat and air system in your home can become contaminated and be a breeding ground for molds, mildew and other sources of contaminants.
Once contaminated, the system can then distribute these enemy allergens throughout the home. It is recommended that the duct-work be cleaned as well because it is a big source of allergens.
There are many sources of mold on the inside of your home. Refrigerators, garbage cans, house plants, bathrooms, and basements are all possible sources of mold growth.
Look for leaky pipes, clogged drains, or bad water drainage systems beneath the ground surrounding your home.
House dust is material that consists of a combination of many particles such as dust mites and their byproducts, food particles, human and animal dander (flakes of dead skin), bits of plant particles, insect parts and waste, mold and fungus, and bits of fabrics.
A natural resting place for airborne allergens and irritants is carpets.
Carpets make a wonderful home for dust mites who live off human and animal dander.
The highest concentration of dust mites is usually found in bedrooms. To conquer the ever-growing population of dust mites a few preventative measures should be followed.
First, box springs, mattresses and pillows should be completely encased in allergen-impermeable covers. All bedding should be washed in hot water to get rid of mites, their byproducts, and human skin flakes, the food source of the mites.
A regular regimen of vacuuming will help remove the food source from carpets and area rugs.
Spring cleaning is a good time to do a top-to-bottom cleaning, but year-round cleaning habits will ensure that your home is a healthy home.
