There's something about spring that leads us all to want to make a fresh start. Spring-cleaning is far more than just a part of almost everyone's vocabulary; spring cleaning is a great way for you to take a much closer look at what you have, what you need and don't need, and to make sure that your home is a healthy home.
Cleaning your home - when a healthy home is your goal - is about far more than just going through the kids' rooms and getting rid of clothes and toys that they have outgrown. Cleaning your home, ultimately, is about taking the time to thoroughly check your home for mold and for allergens; it's about making an effort to ensure that your home is a healthy place for you and your family.
Rather than simply looking for the spring cleaning recommendations that will help you to get more organized - the spring cleaning recommendations that you can find in a wide variety of places - why not look for those tips that will help you to create a healthy home for you and your family? Rather than focusing on simply getting things tidied up during your spring-cleaning, why not focus on those deep cleaning processes that will ensure that your home is a place where you can be healthy and not a place that may potentially make you sick?
When you take advantage of the following spring-cleaning recommendations, you can be sure that you are making your home a healthy home:
1. Wear protective equipment when you are focused on intensive spring-cleaning. When you know that you could be exposed to mold, pollen, dust mites and allergens, it's important to wear a mask or respirator so that you won't be breathing in harmful particulates. Wear gloves when there is a risk of coming in contact with molds and rust as well as harsh cleaners that you will be using. Consider wearing safety glasses if necessary as well.
2. If you will be using a wet-dry vacuum, be sure that you take it outside for a thorough cleaning before use. Open the wet-dry vacuum outside in the event that water was left in the unit the last time that it was used; that way you will be able to know that you are not spreading mold when you vacuum. Start too with a fresh bag - the best bag that you can buy for your vacuum.
3. Remember that outdoor spring cleaning is important as well; check the gutters and downspouts of your home to ensure that there are not holes that could create leaks and check for holes around the foundation; if you find them, repair them and, if possible trap rodents or exterminate insects that could be causing damage to your home.
4. Check external walls around your home for mold and pay careful attention to the insides of closets where there may be a lack of insulation along with a lack of air circulation. If you discover that there is mold in the closets, you are going to want to remove any clothing that has come in contact with mold to clean it thoroughly; if mold is growing on the clothing, it should be discarded. Consider installing a transom to increase air circulation or a dehumidifier to reduce moisture.
5. Check all of the plumbing in your home. Leaks can create the potential for mold growth in your cabinets, so be sure that you are looking for signs of water damage that may have dried as well as current wetness.
6. Check the air vents within your home to ensure that there is nothing obstructing the flow of air. Remove the grates, and clean behind them; check for rust or anything else that could create health risks.
In addition to the value of these spring cleaning recommendations when it comes to ensuring that you have a healthy home, you will find that these spring cleaning tips will give you the opportunity to start thinking about those parts of your home that are often neglected.
Ultimately, these same areas that deserve close attention while conducting your spring-cleaning activities are areas in which home inspectors would discover problems in a home; by focusing on them during your spring-cleaning, you can be sure that your home is a good, healthy place to spend your time.
Copyright: Copyright © 2008 Thomas Ray
About the Author:Thomas Ray operates ENView Inspections, based in Fairfax, Virginia. ENView Inspections serves Baltimore-Washington area residential and commercial clients. They provide key indoor environmental inspection and testing services to help their clients meet the challenges of indoor air quality management. To learn more, you can give them a call at 703-910-0912, or visit the ENView website at: http://www.enviewonline.com
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