Cleaning Tips For A Healthier Home

Spring is in the air. There is no better time than now to get rid of a winter's worth of dust and grime.

As you prepare for your spring cleaning, remember to dig beneath the surface, because what you can't see can hurt you.

How clean is clean?

Understanding the difference between a home that looks clean and a home that is properly disinfected is especially important. A room may appear immaculate, but millions of germs and bacteria are lurking where you least expect them.

Cleaning with soap and water removes dirt and most of the germs, but to protect your family from getting germs that cause illness, you must disinfect all areas to destroy germs and prevent them from spreading.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like telephones, doorknobs and tables. Cleaning and disinfecting these "hot spots" regularly is key to keeping a healthy home.

Clean your kitchen sink and counters with antibacterial solutions after each use. Bacteria left from meats and vegetables can flourish and get on your hands, utensils or other foods.

Breathe easy

Americans spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors, where air pollution levels can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels.

"Homeowners often complain about poor indoor air quality leading to headaches, dry eyes and fatigue, as well as asthma and allergy attacks," said home improvement expert Lou Manfredini.

But you can breathe

asier by following these strategies for reducing air pollution in your home:

* Control the source. Reduce or remove as many asthma or allergy triggers from your home as possible. Keep pets outside whenever possible; wash all bedding weekly in hot water; and don't allow anyone to smoke indoors.

* Check and replace. Maintain your heating and air conditioning systems by changing the filters frequently. Good maintenance and ventilation are key to keeping indoor air pollution under control. This includes gas appliances, wood stoves and fireplaces.

* Invest in the best. Equip your home with a high-efficiency whole-home air purifier like the new Infinity Air Purifier from Carrier Corp. This is the only air purification solution on the market proven to capture and kill airborne allergens, bacteria, mold spores and viruses.

"The Infinity Air Purifier is by far the best solution the IAQ market has ever seen," said Manfredini. "You will notice a significant change in your breathing and overall well-being, and recognize the worth of this investment immediately."



By: Ralph King