Category Archives: Allergies

Home and office cleaning

A Breath of Fresh Air: Allergy & Asthma Cleaning Tips

It’s spring cleaning time again! And although most people associate this yearly ritual with doing “a full sweep” of their home from floor to ceiling to get things fresh and ready for the warm weather months, there’s actually a very good reason beyond just neatness and cleanliness to pull out the mops and wring out the sponges: eliminating your home of allergens, particularly for those suffering from allergies and asthma. Spring cleaning is about health and hygiene, too!

Luckily, we no longer have to beat our rugs with a broom or air out our linens over a clothesline or tie rags to poles to wash down the walls like our grandmothers did. These days, we have an array of convenient and affordable products and tools at our disposal to help us swiftly and successfully dispose of allergy- and asthma-inducing agents, including disposable wipes, replaceable wet/dry mop cloths, spray disinfectants, lightweight vacuums, and rentable steam cleaners. So set aside a weekend to attend to a top-to-bottom spring cleaning to keep your household both sanitized and safe.

Here are some tips to make the best use of your time in the most targeted areas, starting with two things to keep in mind: (1) make sure the cleaning products you use aren’t allergy or asthma triggers themselves and (2) if you’d rather keep that weekend to yourself, call in a professional company to tackle your spring cleaning for you!

  • Ceilings: Take advantage of extension rods and poles to wipe down your ceilings and loosen the dust and cobwebs lurking in corners and crevices. You don’t have to capture every last bit with your mop or vacuum attachment—you can sweep up anything that falls to the floor later.
  • Walls: Next, proceed to your walls, using a dampened dust mop to wipe them all clean, starting from the top and swiping downward. Again, you can later vacuum up anything that falls to the floor.
  • Nooks & Crannies: Now it’s time to manually reach wherever and whatever you didn’t already capture—spaces behind furniture, in back of the refrigerator, the backs of the shelves in your curio cabinet. You know where those pesky areas are that stay hidden but should still be accessed every now and then!
  • Carpets & Floors: Vacuum all wall-to-wall carpets, area rugs, and throw rugs thoroughly to suck up all the loose debris that’s been collecting in them all winter. If you have wood or tile floors, it’s time to fully mop them. Thereafter, do touch-up vacuuming and mopping weekly to stay on top of everything your family walks upon.
  • Curtains: Once a year, you should remove your curtains and wash them. If that’s not practical or possible for heavy drapes, use your vacuum’s attachments to reach into folds and pleats, where dust is often trapped and overlooked. If heavily soiled, it’s worth a trip to a professional cleaner’s to breathe new life into your window dressings.
  • Linens: Once the curtains are drying, keep the washer running for all your bedding linens in every room. This includes cleaning pillows, mattress pads, and bedskirts. Dust mites love to hide there, so before reassembling your bedding, consider purchasing dust-mite-proof covers for your pillows and mattresses.
  • Knickknacks: All the little things that make a house a home? The statues and figurines, the picture frames and pottery, the souvenirs and collectibles? They can be BIG dust collectors. Turn on some tunes and wipe every single piece of bric-a-brac down with a dust rag or damp cloth. Vinegar works great on glass surfaces.
  • Windows: Save the biggie for last so you can look forward to looking both out of and into your home through gleaming windows once your annual deep cleaning is done. This requires cleaning your windowpanes inside and out since smudges and buildup collect on each side. And don’t forget to remove the screens and hose them down too, getting off all the pollen and outdoor pollutants.

Spring cleaning is a big effort, but it has a big payoff—especially for your family’s respiratory systems. You can do it yourself, or you can call in some experts to help. We’d be happy to be at your service!

Home Services Enterprise  |  301-674-9564  |  www.homeservicesenterprise.com

Reducing Allergens in Your Home This Spring

Those who suffer from seasonal allergies know to avoid the outdoors, with all its triggers and irritants, at particular times of the year. But did you know that staying indoors presents its own set of dangers? If you have pets, for example, animal dander is likely present in your home, which can set off sneezing and coughing, as can mold and mildew. House plants, draperies, bedding, carpets—these can all contain mold as well, along with dust mites that cause swelling and itching.

The first step in combating indoor allergens is to open your windows and doors to let the stale air out and the fresh air in. You’ll also want to use fans to keep the air circulating throughout your home.

There’s more you can do to prevent health issues and allergy flare-ups by reducing the allergens in your home:

  • Check the moisture in your home. Moisture is one of the main contributors to allergens because high moisture levels can lead to mildew in your home. The best way to keep the air clean and dry is by using air-conditioning and dehumidifiers. Also remember to regularly change the air filters in the furnace to purify the air and filter out allergens.
  • Clean curtains and carpets. Window coverings, carpeting, and all kinds of upholstery collect dust and allergens over time. Vacuuming regularly and having them professionally cleaned occasionally to remove dirt and dust will cut back on the allergens and keep your furniture and carpets smelling fresher. If the carpeting is the main source of your allergens, you may want to consider removing it entirely and replacing it with tile or wood floors.
  • Change cleaning solutions. Fumes and odors from over-the-counter cleaning products can often cause breathing problems for allergy sufferers. Green products, however, use natural and organic ingredients that don’t carry the same risk. Or make your own tried-and-true cleaning solution of vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. Going green with your cleaners will not only improve the air quality in your home, it will neutralize various allergens lurking in it.

Home Services Enterprise uses all green cleaning products to keep the air in your home fresh and the environment clean. Book a cleaning today: www.homeservicesenterprise.com  |  301-674-9564

Spring Is in the Air: Tips to Freshen Your Home

Home house and office cleaning

Home is where the heart is. But getting a breath of fresh air your home this time of year may not be as effortless as it sounds. Following the colder months of winter, when our doors are fastened tight and our windows are sealed shut, the air quality in our homes can feel stuffy and stagnant, making for a less comfortable (not to mention even a less healthy) living environment for you and your family. Compounding the stagnation of winter are the chemicals we inhale from our carpets, draperies, furniture, paints, fabrics, and other items in our homes that collect dust, dirt, and mildew.

Springtime, though—with its warm, sunny days that beckon us to let the sunshine in and bring the outdoors indoors—is the most opportune season to renew and re-energize the air inside your home. Follow these tips, and you’ll breathing easier in no time!

FOUR TIPS TO FRESHEN YOUR HOME:

  1. Clean your vents: Dusting and cleaning out your vents will eliminate the dirt and debris that accumulates inside them and is then distributed in the air that circulates around your home. Cleaner vents will also reduce any allergy and asthma issues your family members may suffer from. You can do this yourself or you can hire a professional duct cleaner to do the cleaning.
  2. Dust and vacuum: Thoroughly dust all surfaces in your home, including windowsills, window treatments, baseboards, ceilings, and ceiling fans. Don’t forget to dust off any household plants and their leaves, which collect a buildup of dust and dirt. Take advantage of your vacuum’s brush attachments to allow you to access those hard-to-reach places where dust accumulates.
  3. Clean bedding and blankets: Laundering and airing out bedding is another important step to take, especially for people with allergies and asthma. Sheets should be washed weekly, and blankets and pet bedding should be washed regularly as well.
  4. Open the windows: Opening windows on all available sides of your home will let a breeze blow in to clear out the stagnant air. You can even leave the windows open all night (if your allergies can handle it) to awaken to crisper, fresher-smelling air throughout your home!

Home Services Enterprise can swoop in today to help bring the freshness of spring into your home. To schedule a cleaning, call us today at 301-674-9564 or visit our website: www.homeservicesenterprise.com.

 

Tips for Combating Spring Allergies

Tips for Combating Spring Allergies

Home and office cleaning

Springtime is the season of renewal… with flowers blooming and spring rains here to help things grow. Of course, that also means that the trees, flowers, weeds, and grass that are blossoming spread pollen throughout the air – which makes springtime the height of allergy season for many people who suffer from seasonal allergies. Often times, along with the rains making everything green outside, we are also renewing our homes inside with spring cleaning. This has the potential to bring out dust mites, and may cause some allergies to worsen.

With all of these factors in mind, here are some tips to help reduce allergens in your home:

Clean Air in Your Home
Keeping your indoor air clean is important so that you don’t allow more pollen to seep in through doors and windows. Keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible will help reduce the pollen inside, and the air you are breathing will be cleaner air. Be sure to change filters in air conditioning units and vents frequently.

Cleaning Rugs and Carpets
Area rugs can be washed once a week, and this will help remove any pollen brought in from outside. For the wall to wall carpeting, professional steam cleaning is best to have done mid-season. This will help to remove pollen tracked in from outside. It’s also a good idea to wash bedding once a week in hot water to remove any allergens.

Clean Surfaces in Your Home 
Hiring a professional cleaning service to come in and clean, dust, and vacuum all the surfaces in your home will not only create an inviting space, it will also greatly reduce allergens. This will help keep all your surfaces that you touch on a daily basis free from dust, allergens, and pollen build-up.

Remember to follow these simple tips during spring and summer seasons to help reduce your pollen levels and any other type of allergens that are present during these months. You will be breathing a little easier! To schedule a cleaning with us, please visit our website: www.homeservicesenterprise.com

Allergies and Air Ducts – Keeping Your Vents Clean

House cleaning

Allergy season can be tough, and people try all kinds of things to keep their allergies to a minimum, from taking medicine to staying inside. Unfortunately, staying inside your home during allergy season will not necessarily limit your exposure to allergens.

All types of allergens, such as dust, mold, mildew, and pet dander can be a bothersome issue inside your home year-round. Whether you or your family members have indoor allergies, outdoor allergies, or no allergies, everyone will benefit from having all of the indoor vents and air ducts cleaned. There are air vents and ducts in every room in our households, but we sometimes forget about them and often overlook cleaning them. They tend to attract all kinds of household debris that is neatly hidden behind a cover, including allergens such as dust, mold, and mildew – and even pet dander.

Here is a checklist on what to look for when considering having your air vents and ducts cleaned:

  1. If the components of the heating and cooling system have any visible mold, or if surfaces of ducts have visible mold and mildew on them
  2. If the inside of the ducts are clogged with debris, dust, and/or mold
  3. If debris and/or dust is released through the heating and a/c system registers

If you do see any sort of visible mold, mildew, or dust on any of your air vents, ducts, or even overhead fans throughout your home, it is strongly recommended that you remove all mildew and dust to prevent allergens from entering the air you breathe. Alternatively, you can have Home Services Enterprise come in and professionally clean for you. Having your air ducts cleaned may also require an air conditioning and heating service technician to come into your home and professionally clean out the air ducts for you.

Keeping the all of the vents in your home clean is crucial for reducing allergens in the air that you breathe each and every day. If you or any of your family members suffer from any type of allergies, keeping your home dust-free is an important step in maintaining a healthy, symptom-free lifestyle.

Improving Air Quality: How To Avoid Allergies

Little is more gorgeous than a Maryland spring. Our zone supports lovely foliage and plant life, beautiful sunlight streams in regularly, and all of our favorite nature companions come out to play. Unfortunately, not all of spring can be roses and buttercups. You know the thorn we’re talking about, right?

The itchy, sneezy nuisance called allergies also makes an appearance in our favorite season, as well. Fortunately for you, Home Services Enterprises knows a thing or two about keeping the worst of mother nature at bay!

Reducing Allergens In Your Home: A Brief Manual

The air quality of your home is dependent of a number of factors; most of which can easily be controlled by taking the right steps:

  • Adequate humidity levels.When you hear the word humidity, it conjures up an unpleasant, sticky and hot feeling, right? Well, that’s not entirely the case, actually. Humidity in the home (specifically, relative humidity) plays a vital role in keeping both you and your home healthy. Experts state that you want to keep your home at between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity to reduce allergies, improve air quality, and preserve furniture. To do this, look into adding a whole home humidifier. You might look into a dehumidifier for balance, but usually air conditioners and furnaces serve this function just fine.
  • Order in for a duct cleaning.The ductwork in your home is a hotbed for nasty dust, debris, pollen and pet dander. Have it professionally cleaned annually or biannually, and you’ll soon be breathing much, much easier.
  • Dust and vacuum regularly.Particularly in the spring (and fall) months, be sure to go about these chores weekly to reduce buildup and keep your symptoms at a minimum.
  • Avoid harmful chemicals.Many commercial cleaners do just fine at killing bacteria, but they can be killer on your sinuses as well. Pursue the use of organic cleaners or other alternatives to keep this particular culprit to a minimum.
  • Order a carpet cleaning.Much like your ducts, carpets and rugs are a breeding ground for all of our worst allergens. Dander, dust and even mites can practically add a second layer to your fabrics. Have them professionally cleaned!

Superior Cleaning Services In Maryland With Home Services Enterprise

Need some assistance getting your home ready for the spring months? Our Rockville experts can bring you the professional touch your home craves!