Think about all of the things in your house that you touch every day. Now think about how many of those things might be making you sick. It’s probably more than you think! But just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. In fact, there are all sorts of hidden dangers lurking in your home that you need to be aware of. This blog post will talk about some of the most common sources of illness in the home and how to avoid them. Keep reading to learn more!
Dirty Bed Sheets
We all know that the bed is somewhere most of us spend 8 hours a night. But did you know that your dirty, unmade bed could be harboring all sorts of nasty things? Dust mites are microscopic insects that feed on dead human skin cells and can also eat pollen, animal dander, and fungal spores. When there’s a lot of them, they can cause all sorts of respiratory problems. And if you’re not a fan of dust mites, you’re not alone. They’re one of the most common causes of asthma in the world.
The good news is that there are a few things you can do to reduce the number of dust mites in your bed. First, make your bed every day! This will help keep the sheets clean and free from dust mites. Second, use allergen-proof covers on your pillows and mattresses. These covers will trap allergens and prevent them from coming into contact with your skin. Finally, wash your sheets at least once a week in hot water to kill any dust mites that might be lurking on them.
Contaminated Cooling & Heating Vents
Did you know that the vents in your home could be spreading bacteria and mold from one room to another? That’s right, these common household items could be responsible for a whole host of illnesses. The problem is that most people don’t think about cleaning them regularly, so mold and mildew can build up inside the vents. If you have small children or anyone with asthma living in your home, it’s important to clean these areas at least once a month.
When the seasons change, there tends to be a huge spike in heating and cooling costs. This just means that there are more particles floating around in the air that could get into your cooling and heating systems. So why not give them a deep clean? To do this yourself, take the vents outside and use a hose to spray them down with water. You can also use a brush or vacuum attachment, but be careful not to damage the vent covers.
The Old Vacuum Cleaner
Speaking of vacuums, did you know that some people hang onto them for over ten years? If your vacuum is more than a decade old, it’s time to get rid of it. And not only because it looks bad! Older vacuum cleaners are often less powerful at forcing air through the hose and tend to emit larger amounts of pollutants into the air. Even if your vacuum is doing an okay job on hardwood floors or low pile carpets, you should still think about replacing it.
If you’re planning on buying a new vacuum cleaner, try to find one with at least 10 amps of power. Anything less will probably have trouble sucking up small particles like pet dander or dust mites. Also, look for something with at least a 12-inch cleaning width if you’re going to be using it on carpets. As far as brands go, there is a lot that has a good reputation. You can’t go wrong with Bissel or Oreck, but Shark and Dyson also tend to be reliable choices.