Would you say your house is clean? What would you see if you ran a white glove across
your nightstand or across the top of your refrigerator? When was the last time you
cleaned behind your stove or disinfected your kitchen sink? Most people sweep and
vacuum regularly, they wipe down the kitchen counter and brush the crumbs off the
coffee table. Our homes generally look presentable, but rarely are they truly clean and,
unfortunately, a home that is not properly cleaned on a regular basis will accumulate
large amounts of dust and bacteria, which can have negative affects on your health.

Dust can never be completely eliminated from our homes, but it can be well managed.
House-hold dust is a mixture of dead skin cells, fibres from carpets and upholstered
furniture and dirt that is tracked or blown in from the outdoors. While exposure to dust
is not fatal, consistently inhaling high levels of dust can cause irritation of the eyes,
coughing, sneezing, hayfever and asthma attacks. For people living with respiratory
issues such as asthma or emphysema, small increases in dust concentration can make
their symptoms worse. Small children and seniors also tend to be more prone to
developing health issues from consistent exposure to high levels of dust.

In addition to dust, most people are also living with dust mites. These microscopic
organisms live in warm places such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, sheets and
pillows. Dust mites are one of the world’s most common allergens and, if you or
someone in your house is allergic to them, without regularly cleaning the items
mentioned above you can find yourself consistently suffering from an allergic reaction.

Exposure to bacteria can also have negative effects on your health or the health of a
loved one. Funnily enough, two of the places bacteria is most commonly found are the
places where we clean our food and our bodies, the kitchen sink and the shower.
Bacterias found in the bathroom include Gastrointestinal viruses, which can cause
stomach pain and remain on a hard surface for up to a week, and Dermatophitic fungi,
such as Athlete’s Foot, which can be shared by simply walking barefoot in a bathroom.

How to Combat Dust and Bacteria
Regularly cleaning your home can help eliminate a lot of the dust and bacteria that
builds up without us noticing. Here are some weekly cleaning tips:

• Sweep and mop all tile and hardwood floors, and remember to move and sweep under larger pieces of furniture such as sofas and chairs
• Vacuum area rugs and carpets
• Use a damp clean cloth to wipe down table tops and any other hard surfaces
• Disinfect your sinks, showers/bathtubs and toilets

Every month or so you should also:

• Dust and mop under bigger appliances (fridge, washer, dryer, etc)
• Wipe down your walls and baseboards
• Clean any light fixtures or fans
• Wash your curtains and wipe down your blinds

You should also have your area rugs, carpets and upholstered furniture professionally cleaned at least once a year. Professional cleanings not only removes dirt, dander and bacteria, but also helps to keep your items looking like new. Not sure if your carpets or furniture require professional cleaning? Turn your vacuum on and place a white cloth over the end of one of your vacuum attachments. Now vacuum one of your carpets or pieces of furniture with the white cloth covering the vacuum. Once you are done look at the cloth. If it is no longer white, it is time for a professional cleaning.

Keeping your home clean will help to ensure the long-term health of you and your loved
ones. However, it can also be a time-consuming task that keeps you from spending time
with your friends and family. The Steamwise Cleaning team is now offering home
cleaning services for residents of Northumberland, Peterborough and Quinte, Durham
and Clarington. Contact us today to set-up a complimentary consultation for your home.