Our homes are supposed to be a safe haven, protecting us from all sorts of harm. In reality, though, they could be the very breeding ground for germs and microorganisms that trigger different health conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. If you think about it more carefully, there are far more asthma triggers indoors than the outdoors, and because you are constantly exposed to them, you are more vulnerable.
How do you keep yourself and your family from such health conditions? You should watch out for these common asthma triggers:
1. Heating Systems
You have probably noticed that you frequently get asthma attacks during the autumn or winter when you turn on your central heating system. The reason behind this is there could be contaminants lurking inside your heating ductwork. Mold spores will easily go up into the air as soon as you switch on the heating system. What you should do then is to clean the air ducts at your home regularly, especially before the cold season sets in.
Note that there might be dangerous chemicals in your ductwork, like asbestos, which would need the expert removal of professionals. When booking a professional, make sure you do not do it in the last minute because it could get difficult to find one since everybody will be doing the same. Call an expert at least a month before the cold season, so you would not also settle with whoever is available.
2. Carpets
Carpets can accumulate mold, pet dander, and dust mites. As it traps most of the dirt and dust brought in by people coming to and from your house, you may not know it but your carpets could already be making you sick — slowly, but surely.
If you do not want to give up your carpets (and rugs), just make sure to steam clean them on a regular basis. DNA Pro Cleaning and Restoration recommends going for professional cleaning services that Alexandria and other VA companies offer, as cleaning the carpets yourself can also be a trigger for asthma symptoms. If you decide to replace your carpets, consider getting those that are resistant to mold and do not have VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Better yet, stick with hardwood flooring since they are easier to clean.
3. Shelves
These are notorious collectors of dust. Just skip a few days of dusting and it is a guarantee that your toys, books, and fine china will all be covered in dust mites. Cleaning the shelves is one of those chores no one wants to do. When people do tackle it, they often do it improperly, forgetting spots and never really removing the dust mites. Put a system to it, and start by removing the items on the shelves. Then, dust off using a feather duster. Use a damp cloth to further clean the surface, from top to bottom. After that, wash off the cloth then clean the items before returning them to the shelves.
Is your home a breeding ground for asthma symptoms? Avoid exacerbating your health problem by cleaning these household objects regularly.
