Make Your House Cleaning Safe

First of all, to avoid unnecessary work, keep clutter to a minimum throughout your home. Having a lot unnecessary stuff around only adds to dust collection and makes cleaning more difficult. Also, always wipe shoes on entryway rugs and mats to protect floors and carpets. These mats will help to catch dirt, dust, pollen and other allergens brought in from the outside.

Starting with the bedroom, launder all washable sheets, mattress covers, pillows and bed skirts, blankets and comforters. Flip the mattress and vacuum both sides as well as the box springs. Many allergies are triggered by the tiny dust mites in bedding. To avoid dust mites, wash bedding in hot water above 130 degrees routinely.

In the closets, pull out the winter clothes and determine which items need to be washed or dry cleaned before storing. Discard clothing no longer needed. If you choose to use moth repellents, do so with caution as they often contain a pesticide called paradichlorobenzene. Avoid breathing the vapors. Place moth repellents in tightly sealed trunks or other closed containers. Make sure your closets are dry to avoid mold and mildew. Make an attempt to vacuum routinely.

Inspect your bathroom for any leaks that can lead to mold and mildew. Always fix plumbing leaks promptly. Make sure the bathroom has a working exhaust fan and use it to avoid moisture problems from bathing. When appropriate, open windows to allow for fresh air. If using air fresheners, follow
manufacturer’s directions.