House Cleaning

House cleaning is more than just dusting, vacuuming and mopping.  Most people want not only a clean house but a clean home environment as well.

Removing mold and mildew is one of the first things we can do to make sure our home is really clean. First of all we need to identify where it is growing. Sometimes it's easy to get rid of. We just have to remove the items that are growing mold, like shoes or things in the basement. Other times it's not so easy. Whole house air cleaners installed in the cold air return of your furnace air conditioning system can remove airborne molds like Penicillium spores.  Operating the air conditioning fan continuously can remove up to 90% of mold spores.

Antimicrobial is a term that confuses most of us.  There are many "antimicrobial" products on the market that we use for home cleansing.  How can we tell what ones are really antimicrobial?  The degree of antimicrobial activity varies with manufacturer and product, but generally they have been tested for growth inhibiting or germ killing properties.  There are several disinfectants on the market that are EPA registered antimicrobial pesticides and as such, make good cleaners and disinfectants. Many antimicrobial treated products are developed by companies that go the extra mile to manufacture products that have an impact on public health.

Dusting is something that most of us hate to do. Removing dust in a way that eliminates it and not just moves it around is important for a truly clean house and environment. There are several dusting compounds on the market that pick up the dust and keep it on the dust cloth until you throw it away. Dust particles floating in the air can sometimes cause allergies to flare up, so a dust free home is important.

There is a phenomenon known as "sick building syndrome". It includes symptoms like respiratory problems, sinus problems, headaches, allergies and asthma. These symptoms can be attributed to a variety of allergens in the house.

Did you know that we contribute to house contamination just by being us?  We are the source of carbon dioxide, bacteria, viruses and skin scales. Pet dander can make up the bulk of visible dust on surfaces. Sitting for long periods on a cushioned surface can foster the growth of dust mites.  Dust mites are responsible for over 50% of asthmatic allergies. Most of us would rather not be exposed to all of this contamination.

Some people replace their carpeting with wood floors to reduce the dust mite population or use a HEPA filter on their vacuum cleaner while house cleaning.