The spring flowers are blooming, and the weather is beautiful. Looking out the window, you long to raise them and invite in the delicate breeze, but your allergies are horrific enough in your house; why would you risk the extra pollen? Unbeknownst to you, your house cleaner, cleaning tools, and products might be contributing to your allergy issues, compounding the problems you hope to conquer.
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What is Green Cleaning?
We often hear this term thrown around, but what does it mean? The primary objective of an eco-friendly or green cleaning is to clean using only products and processes that will keep you, your home, and the planet healthy and free of harmful chemicals. Green cleaning can also indicate that the home cleaning products utilize biodegradable packaging, reducing landfill waste.
Home cleaning products that fall under the category of green cleaning tend not to have:
- Phosphates
- Chlorine
- Artificial fragrances or colors
As an added benefit, many green home cleaning products are made from organically grown ingredients derived using sustainable farming practices. Leading brands are taking notice of the growing consumer demand for green cleaning products – around $3.9 billion in sales in the year 2019. Looking to the future, it is forecasted that by 2029, sales could rise as high as $11.6 billion.
How Can Traditional Home Cleaning Make Allergies Worse?
If you are one of the nearly 25.7% of adults with seasonal allergies, you know your house is your refuge during allergy season. Did you know that many of the traditional home cleaning methods, from disinfecting with strong chemicals like bleach to cleaning floors with strongly scented cleaning products, can make your allergies worse? Not to mention the processes.
Open windows to air out a room? That will bring in a breeze to coat your walls, floor, and furniture with pollen. House cleaner dusting your room with a basic cloth? They’ll be spreading allergens around. And forget about the old style of vacuum cleaner, which kicks up dust and allergens into the air you breathe!
The traditional home cleaning products of old are filled with harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde, sodium laureth sulfate, d-limonene, and triclosan. All of these can exacerbate the symptoms of those with allergies or asthma. Green cleaning services utilize products proven to not further aggravate the symptoms for those sufferers.
How Can a Green Cleaning Service Help People with Allergies?
Green cleaning has gained in popularity as people and house cleaners discovered the harmful effects of traditional home cleaning products on the environment and human health. People began looking for green cleaning services when investigating house cleaners.
The chemicals found in many conventional home cleaning products can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health issues, particularly in people with allergies, asthma, or other sensitivities. Since green cleaning products are derived from natural ingredients and contain no toxic ingredients, they are far safer for those with allergies or other sensitivities.
Cleaning Methods that Reduce Allergens
Along with using green cleaning products, another tip from green cleaning services is to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters can trap tiny dust and allergen particles, keeping them from being released into the air. HEPA filters were originally designed by nuclear scientists to clean up radioactive particles. Luckily for us, we don’t need them to clean up anything that dangerous, but they certainly do the job on dust mites!
House cleaning with microfiber cloths that can trap allergens and dust rather than spreading them around is another allergy cleaning suggestion. When washing bedding, blankets, pillows, or any other textiles, use a laundry detergent listed as free of fragrances or irritants that might trigger allergies.
Additionally, the methods used by green cleaning services and house cleaners are more caring toward our environment. Using microfiber cloths for dusting and washing rather than paper towels reduces waste in production and garbage. Using a steam cleaner over a chemical-based cleaner releases fewer chemicals into our air and water.
What Are Other Allergies Cleaning Tips?
Aside from hiring a green cleaning service, there are other ways to limit exposure to allergens within your home. Practicing eco-cleaning techniques can take some time to learn as you read labels and get educated. Still, it can significantly decrease allergy and asthma symptoms and streamline your house cleaning process. Many green cleaning products can be utilized for more than one purpose!
7 Tips for Reducing Allergies in Your Home:
- Limit pollen exposure
- Remove layers
- Consider flooring choice
- Vacuum
- Clean fabric upholstery
- Review bedroom dust traps
- Keep the windows closed
Stop outside allergens from entering the home – Pollen clings to your shoes when you are outside. To avoid having it contaminate your home, remove your shoes in your entryway, and establish a no-shoes policy in your home. Have a mat right inside your entryway to place the footwear, and make sure to vacuum this area often during the high allergy season, when your allergy cleaning is at its height. Be sure to place a water-resistant doormat outside to wipe your shoes off before entering your home.
Take off outside clothing – Pollen will cling to clothing just as it will to shoes. For those with severe allergies, remove as much of your outside clothing as possible when returning inside and keep it near the entryway. Hats, jackets, scarves – all of these can carry hidden allergens.
Purchase allergen-resistant flooring – Allergy sufferers should skip the carpet and opt for wood or tile floors. If you still long for the warmth or style of rugs, look for short-pile or no-pile style ones. Short-weave ones made from sisal or polypropylene are easy to clean and long-lasting.
Vacuum floors well – Many people do not know how to vacuum properly when doing their home cleaning. The “push” pass is to position your vacuum the correct way, and the “pull” is the one that cleans, so make sure to take your time with the “pulling” motion for your best allergy cleaning. It is also essential to buy a vacuum with HEPA filtration so that it will trap even the smallest dust particles.
Fabric furniture care – Much like carpet, your fabric furniture can be a magnet for allergens. If you suffer from bad allergies, you might want to consider leather or faux leather so that you can easily wipe off pollen, dander, or dust. Another option is to use a machine-washable slipcover and launder it weekly during your scheduled home cleaning. Don’t forget the throw blankets and pillows as part of your allergy cleaning routine!
Clean up the bedroom – The bedroom can harbor many hidden dust traps. Remove the decorative throw pillows and any fabric curtains if they aren’t washable. Make sure you have dust-mite-proof encasements for your pillows and mattress. Remember to wash your bedding at least once weekly in the hottest setting.
Run the air conditioning – As much as you love the fresh air, it is best to leave the windows closed to prevent pollen from entering your home. Another point to remember during your allergy cleaning routine is to check and clean your filters regularly, once a month if you have a window unit or every three months for central air.
Do Cleaning Companies Specialize in Green Cleaning Services?
When looking for a house cleaner, if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, it is vital to look for a green cleaning service. Pure House Cleaning, a green cleaning service, offers a myriad of house cleaner options, such as scheduled or one-time cleaning, post-construction cleaning, move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, and more. The company only uses non-toxic and safe cleaners to ensure that customers have healthy homes and the environment will not be impacted.