Maintaining a clean home is important when it comes to the health and well-being of your family, particularly when it comes to managing allergens. For families in Perth, where seasonal allergens like pollen and dust mites can often trigger sensitivities, being able to effectively clean your home regularly is essential.
With over 30 years as professional cleaners, here are some practical tips for keeping your home as allergen-free as possible.
Why You Should Keep Your Home Allergen-Free
Allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, mould spores, and pollen, are common triggers of allergies and respiratory issues. For individuals prone to asthma or hay fever, these microscopic particles can worsen symptoms, leading to discomfort and health complications. Even for those without pre-existing conditions, prolonged exposure to allergens can compromise immune systems and lower overall quality of life.
Creating an allergen-free environment at home offers plenty of benefits, including:
- Improved Respiratory Health: Reducing allergens can minimise coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath, especially for asthma sufferers.
- Better Sleep Quality: A bedroom free of dust mites and pet dander fosters uninterrupted sleep.
- Enhanced Immune Function: With fewer allergens in the air, your body is less likely to be constantly fighting irritants, leaving your immune system stronger.
- Increased Comfort: An allergen-free home feels fresher and more welcoming, creating a space where your family can feel comfortable.
Key Cleaning Habits to Reduce Allergens at Home
Implementing the right cleaning habits can make all the difference in keeping allergens at bay.
Here are some practical steps that we leave our customers with:
- Vacuum Regularly with HEPA Filters: Carpeted areas and upholstered furniture can trap dust, pet hair, and pollen. Use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter, which is designed to capture fine particles that standard vacuums may miss. Aim to vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a week.
- Dust Strategically: Use a damp microfibre cloth to capture dust instead of dispersing it into the air. Pay special attention to surfaces like shelves, blinds, and ceiling fans where dust tends to accumulate.
- Wash Bedding Frequently: Dust mites thrive in bedding and mattresses. Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets weekly in hot water (above 60°C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens.
- Control Humidity Levels: Mould spores thrive in damp environments. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to keep indoor humidity levels below 50%. Ensure bathrooms and kitchens are well-ventilated to prevent mould growth.
- Keep Pets Groomed and Out of Bedrooms: We know many pets are part of the family, but pet dander is a common allergen and restricting pets from sleeping on beds can help maintain a clean sleeping environment. Regular grooming and bathing of pets can also assist in minimising shedding.
- Clean Air Ducts and Filters: Your HVAC system can harbour allergens if not maintained properly. Replace air filters regularly and consider professional air duct cleaning to ensure clean airflow throughout your home.
The Role of Professional Cleaning Services
While regular home cleaning is important, there are certain tasks best left to professionals to ensure a truly allergen-free environment. This is where professional cleaners, like us at FCT Surface Cleaning can make a significant impact.
- Deep Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning: Even with regular vacuuming, carpets and furniture can trap allergens deep within their fibres. Professional carpet cleaning services use advanced equipment and techniques to extract these hidden irritants, leaving your home cleaner and safer.
- Mould Removal: Mould is a persistent allergen that can be difficult to eliminate completely without professional help. We offer expert mould remediation services to address both visible and hidden mould issues in your home.
- High-Pressure Cleaning: Outdoor areas, such as patios, driveways, and walls, can accumulate pollen and dust. Our high-pressure cleaning services effectively remove these contaminants, preventing them from being tracked into your home.
- Tile and Grout Cleaning: Bathrooms and kitchens are prone to mould and mildew build-up in tile grout. Professional cleaning ensures these areas are thoroughly sanitised, reducing allergen levels.
- Window Cleaning: Dust and pollen can settle on window sills and glass, impacting indoor air quality. Our professional window cleaning services help maintain a clean and allergen-free environment.
Achieving an Allergen Free Home
There are a few questions our professional team often get asked by homeowners looking to ensure their home is allergen-free.
One of the most common questions is how often a home should be deep cleaned to minimise allergens. We know it can be hard to stay on top of it all, but regular cleaning should be done weekly, and we then recommend a professional deep clean every 3-6 months (or the changing of the seasons), depending on any specific needs within your household. Professional cleaning is worth the investment. The services offer specialised equipment and expertise that go beyond what standard cleaning methods can achieve, ensuring a healthier home environment.
Another question we often get asked is whether air purifiers can help reduce allergens. Good news – the answer is yes. For families who suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies, using high-quality air purifiers with HEPA filters can capture airborne allergens, and work with your cleaning to create a healthier home. We recommend placing them in the bedrooms and living areas for the most benefit.
The Risk of Mould
Mould is a serious allergen and can cause a lot of health issues. Unfortunately in some cases, you may not know your home has got mould until it’s too late. We do recommend doing regular checks of your home for mould growth. Common areas we see are on walls and ceilings indoors, as well as on footpaths, fences and the external walls of the home.
We do recommend keeping an eye on your home, particularly after large storms or unfortunate water leaks. If you aren’t sure if you have mould, before cleaning, we recommend a professional inspection which can test for the presence of mould.
We recently cleaned a mouldy acrylic render for a client, in the process removing bore stains and bringing the render back to life, ensuring the home was both safe and looked great.
Why Choose FCT Surface Cleaning?
As Perth’s leading cleaning specialists, FCT Surface Cleaning provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to create allergen-free homes. With over 30 years of experience and a commitment to quality, we use non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products to ensure the safety of your family and pets.
Keeping your home allergen-free is not just about cleanliness; it’s about creating a healthier and happier living space for your family. By adopting regular cleaning habits and enlisting the help of our professional cleaning services, you can significantly reduce allergens, improve air quality, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is safe.
Whether it’s mould removal, surface cleaning or high-pressure outdoor cleaning, FCT Cleaning has you covered. Contact us today to see how we can help your family.