Carpets that are not regularly cleaned can have a negative effect on the air quality in your home. All types of pollutants can reside in your carpets and get tracked throughout the rest of your home as you walk from room to room.
The first step in making sure that you protect your family from household pollution is knowing what the pollutants are so that you can deal with them. Here is a list of the most common allergens and pollutants that affect indoor air quality.
During the winter, we tend to keep our windows closed tight against the cold air. Steam from the bathroom and the kitchen, as well as other kinds of moisture, can build up in the home, which can lead to the growth of mold. Mold and mildew reproduce through spores, which then become airborne and easily inhaled.
Many households have dogs and cats and pet dander is one of the most irritating and hard to eliminate of allergens because they are small and light. Indoor concentrations are especially high during winter when pets, as well as people, spend more time indoors.
Dust mites feed on human skin cells and their numbers go up when there is more food available. During the winter, dust mites can increase their population to a staggering degree if left unchecked. Dust mites are present wherever there is dust, including household surfaces, upholstered furniture, draperies, carpets, and especially bedding.
Biological pollutants cover everything from pollen to bacteria. Pollen is much less a problem in winter but germs and viruses tend to increase in numbers. Keeping your home as free of these hazards as possible will keep you healthier and help you fight off winter colds.
Secondhand smoke is another major air pollutant. The odor and particles linger on surfaces.
Older homes can have issues with lead. Lead can show up in your home as paint or dust. Older homes often used lead paint, and cracked or damaged paint creates both paint chips and paint dust. Both are dangerous pollutants, especially if there are young children or seniors in the home.
Routine cleaning will help keep these pollutants at bay and your family’s health safe. Call Royal Interior Cleaning today if you need professional help getting your home ready for the winter months ahead.
