Deep Cleaning With Your Allergies in Mind

Allergies & Their Impact on Cleaning

Allergies affect millions of people and can make normal activities like cleaning more challenging. Common allergy triggers include dust mites, mold, and pollen. When you breathe in these allergens, it can cause sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

It’s important to understand how different allergens accumulate and spread through your space so you can use effective cleaning methods to control them. If you or someone in your workplace suffers from allergies, you need to take extra care with your cleaning routine. The goal is to remove and prevent the allergens that cause reactions, ensuring employee comfort and productivity.

Common Allergens

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic insects that feed on dead human skin cells. They live in soft fabrics and thrive in warm, humid environments. To control dust mites, make sure any upholstered furniture, carpets, and rugs are properly cared for.

Mold

Mold grows in damp areas when excess moisture is present. Check for leaks, improve ventilation, and thoroughly clean bathrooms and other problem areas with mold-killing products. Prevent mold by controlling moisture and fixing leaks quickly.

Pollen

During allergy season, pollen can blow in through open doors and windows. Close them on high pollen count days. Dust window sills and vacuum any visible pollen. Change HVAC filters often, and if necessary, use a portable air purifier.

How Allergies Affect Your Cleaning Approach

Allergy sufferers need to take extra steps to limit exposure to allergens. This includes using hypoallergenic cleaning products without irritating fragrances or chemicals and deep cleaning more frequently.

It’s also important to use high-efficiency filters in heating/cooling systems and vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters that capture microscopic particles. Wearing a dust mask can also limit allergen exposure while cleaning.

In addition to your regular cleaning regimen, do seasonal deep cleans to remove built-up allergens. This comprehensive approach helps create a healthier indoor environment.

Hypoallergenic Deep Cleaning: Products and Techniques

Hypoallergenic cleaning uses products and methods designed to minimize allergens and irritation for sensitive individuals. They remove dust, mold, pollen, and other triggers while avoiding fragrances, chemicals, and residues that can also cause reactions.

Many name-brand cleaning products now offer hypoallergenic formulations without dyes, added perfumes, or strong odors. Check labels closely and look for verbiage like “fragrance-free” or “for sensitive skin.”

Homemade cleaners using ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and Castile soap are also hypoallergenic options. While these are effective on a small scale level, they may not be practical or cost-effective compared to commercial cleaning solutions that are proven to mitigate allergens.

Hypoallergenic Cleaning Products: What to Look For

When selecting hypoallergenic cleaning products, read labels closely to avoid known allergens. It’s important to choose fragrance-free formulations so you avoid respiratory irritation. Plant-based ingredients are less likely to cause reactions.

Stay away from chlorine and ammonia-based products that can trigger asthma symptoms or chemical sensitivities. Opt for greener cleaning brands that use fewer harsh detergents and more natural enzymes and surfactants to lift dirt and stains.

Also, consider adding standalone HEPA air purifiers to filter out dust, pollen, mold spores, and other microscopic particles as you clean. This additional filtration helps remove allergens from the air.

Creating a Hypoallergenic Cleaning Regimen

A hypoallergenic cleaning regimen removes allergens while preventing new triggers from accumulating between cleanings. It takes some diligence but is essential for managing allergies.

Vacuum upholstered furniture and floors using HEPA filters and dust surfaces with microfiber cloths to capture allergens. Take measures to control moisture and humidity. Cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-use areas more frequently also helps.

Struggling to find a cleaning solution for allergens in your building? See how Corporate Facilities Management handles routine and deep cleaning.

Our Process

Air Purifiers and Other Appliances

Using air purifiers throughout your space can greatly reduce airborne allergens like dust, pollen, and mold spores. Look for HEPA filter purifiers that are effective at capturing extremely small particles. It’s best to run them continuously in heavily occupied areas. Adding portable dehumidifiers can also help by reducing humidity and controlling mold and mildew growth.

Be diligent about regularly cleaning appliances like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, fans, and AC units, as they can harbor mold and other allergens. Change out filters according to manufacturer instructions.

Vacuuming frequently with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter is also effective for removing allergens from carpets and upholstery. Using a microfiber cloth for dusting eliminates dust without dispersing it into the air.

Routine Cleaning

Focus on areas that tend to accumulate dust, like ceiling fans, bookshelves, window sills, and AC vents. Use a disposable duster and gently run over surfaces to trap and remove dust. For electronics like TVs and computer monitors, use special pre-moistened wipes suitable for screens.

Vacuum upholstered furniture weekly using a brush attachment to lift debris and dust mites from fabrics. Steam mops, while requiring some extra effort, use heat to kill bacteria and allergens on sealed hard flooring with zero chemicals.

Seasonal Deep Cleaning

In spring and fall, wash walls, floors, window treatments, and upholstery using hot water with small amounts of hypoallergenic cleaners or detergents formulated for sensitive skin. Often, companies call in outside help to tackle these jobs and ensure a thorough cleaning. A third-party service is also equipped to deep clean high-traffic areas.

Partner with a Professional Cleaning Service Provider

For those with severe allergies or sensitivities, professional cleaning services may be the best approach to maintaining a hygienic, allergen-free environment. Look for companies that specialize in hypoallergenic cleaning and detail what products and methods they use.

Validate that the service is licensed and insured and has extensive experience working with allergy issues. Schedule regular cleaning visits if needed.

Reputable professional cleaning services should complete a custom assessment of your needs and build a plan to target problem areas accordingly. This removes the burden of trying to deep clean a space yourself.

Make Deep Cleaning a Breeze with Corporate Facilities Management

If your business is dealing with allergens or has other cleaning needs, Corporate Facilities Management has cleaning services like day porters, night porters, and sanitization to keep your space allergen-free and sparkling. Contact CFM today to schedule a free consultation.