Spring Cleaning for Indoor Air Quality

professional carpet cleaning When winter transitions to spring, many of us are excited to open the windows, get outside and wear short sleeves. The arrival of spring is also a common time to get our homes in tip-top shape with a routine commonly called “spring cleaning”. Your personal list may include tasks like washing the walls, shampooing the rugs, hosing down window screens and thorough dusting.

How can these spring cleaning acts improve the indoor air quality in your home?

What Is Indoor Air Quality?

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air quality “refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants”.

Indoors, we are surrounded by air pollutants we cannot even see. Understanding the health effects of these pollutants can help reduce our risk of future illness. Possible effects include:

  • Eye, nose and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue

After many years of exposure to these dangerous air pollutants, respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancers can result.

Cleaning Tips for Better IAQ

After a chilly winter season spent inside, your family is likely eager to get outdoors. The seasonal change to spring may cause allergies to flare up, so the last thing you want is for indoor allergens to also cause irritation. The following tips can help keep your home free of air pollutants.

Clear the Air Ducts

Our HVAC systems run throughout the year. Whether it’s the furnace or air conditioner, these systems can release allergens into the air when in use. Before you rev up the air conditioner during the first spring heatwave, make sure the ducts have been thoroughly cleaned. You should also make a habit of replacing the air filters monthly as the A/C season gets underway.

Clean the Carpets

Carpeting is another magnet for dust and allergens. If your family has a dog or cat, their hair can become trapped in the fibers and irritate your sinuses. After a long winter season, sometimes vacuuming is insufficient. A professional cleaner can get deep into the carpet to extract embedded debris and other hidden allergens.

Get an Air Purifier

After you work to remove dust from your carpets, furniture and wooden surfaces, you’ll want to maintain those results. Air purifiers with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration remove dust, pollen, pet dander and other common pollutants. The air is cycled through the filtration system to remove particles and released back in a cleaner state.
 
Fortunately, indoor air quality is something homeowners have the option to manage. The professionals at M.J. Fahy & Sons can help you do that. This spring, contact our team to schedule maintenance for your air conditioner, before it releases pollutants into your home.