Every home has allergens, such as dust, pollen, dander, and mold. These common contaminants reduce the air quality and cause excessive sneezing or coughing. Fortunately, there are several simple residential cleaning techniques you can use to cut down on the allergens in your home to keep everyone breathing easier.

Residential Cleaning Tasks That Will Combat Allergens

1. Get an Air Filter

Place a portable air purifier in the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as the living room and bedrooms. These are equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that will capture most of the allergens. It’ll circulate the air in the room, forcing it through a fine mesh filter, which will capture contaminants and release pure air back into the space. These filters should be replaced once every three to five years.

2. Vacuum

You should be vacuuming high-traffic areas twice a week and all other areas once a week. This simple residential cleaning task will pull out harmful allergens that settle in the carpet fibers.

Buy a HEPA vacuum as these models are equipped with filters to capture smaller allergens that a normal vacuum would miss. To ensure your new vacuum is a true HEPA model, the test results for the machine should read 99.97% for 0.3 microns. Some vacuums may claim they use HEPA filters; however, they only capture 85 to 90% of 0.3 microns.

3. Dust

This is an often-overlooked task, especially in hidden or hard-to-reach areas, such as high shelves. Use a specialized duster to trap the allergens in its fabric rather than sweeping the particles back into the air with a rag or cloth. If you’ve been experiencing allergies, wear a mask while you dust to avoid inhaling particles. Do this weekly on a rotating schedule so that no part of the home is missed.

4. Address Mold

This allergen is commonly found in moist rooms, like the bathroom. If you spot dark colonies, use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to eradicate the spores. Since mold thrives in damp conditions, run a humidifier or use a fan to circulate the air while you’re taking a hot shower.

 

Constantly wiping and vacuuming to remove allergens takes time, so if you have a busy schedule, contact the team at Maid Brigade in Honolulu, HI. For over 35 years, these professionals have provided Oahu homeowners with a variety of residential cleaning services, such as general tidying, dusting, and glass door washing. Get more cleaning tips online, or call (808) 377-4024 to request a free, customized estimate.