After a long winter, it’s refreshing to see the first glimpses of spring… flowers have started to grow again, the clocks go forward, the weather is milder, and more often than not the sun is out. But unfortunately for many of us, spring has one major con – allergies. Itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing are things many of us recognise and associate with springtime. In this article, we’ll look at some of the things you can do in your home to reduce the number of allergens in your environment.
Clean your carpets!
Having your carpets cleaned at the beginning of spring is a great idea, especially if you or any members of your household suffer from allergies or breathing conditions. Dirt, dust, pet dander (if you have a pet) and other allergens will have built up in your carpet since it was last cleaned, and if you follow the guidelines on how often you should get your carpets cleaned, that could be anything from 12- 18 months ago. Using a professional carpet cleaning company to clean your carpet for you can greatly reduce the number of allergens in your carpet.
When choosing a carpet cleaning company, be aware that companies use a variety of processes and methods to clean carpets, and all are not equal. Generally speaking you have the option of having your carpets wet cleaned or having your carpets low mositure cleaned. Both of these methods are great for removing allergens from your carpet, but if too much water is used when wet cleaning your carpet, it can seep into the carpet backing. This increases the drying time signifcantly and can lead to the growth of mould, exarcabating your allergen problem! This issue doesn’t occur with low moisture cleaning or dry cleanin, because minimal amounts of moisture are used.
When choosing a carpet cleaning company make sure their process includes vacuuming using an industrial vacuum cleaner, and agitation using a Contra Rotating Brush Machine. An industrial vacuum cleaner will pick up a lot more dirt than the typical household vacuum can. And the Contra Rotating Brush machine can pick up deeply embedded dirt, that a vacuum cleaner cannot reach. Both of these steps will ensure you get a very deep clean and will maximise the removal of allergens.
Hoover your carpets regularly with this type of hoover!
Once your carpet has been cleaned, you’ll want to maintain it by hoovering it regularly. Carpets act like filters, so they do a great job of trapping dirt, dust, and other allergens keeping your environment free from them for the most part. But like all filters, eventually, they get clogged up and are no longer as effective. Regularly vacuuming your carpets will increase the amount of time it takes for carpets to become clogged with dirt. Reducing your exposure to allergens.
The best vacuum cleaners for your carpet are ones that have a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. These ensure that any particles you vacuum up stay in the vacuum cleaner. Models without this type of filter are prone to letting particles escape and resettle on the carpet.
Following these simple tips can help you reduce your exposure to allergens in the home. If you are in need of some carpet cleaning, get in touch with us today to discuss the work you need doing!