No doubt allergies and asthma can affect how you live your every day life. There is so much misleading information out there on dust mites, dirt, fungus, allergies, mold, pets, carpet vs hard surface and how to control or treat allergies. So we dedicated this page:
- to helping you understand why indoor air quality is so important to your health.
- to offer tips on how to improve your indoor air quality and reduce indoor allergens to remove the source of your symptoms.
- to educate you on the professional services we offer to keep your home clean, healthy, comfortable and happy.
If you are ready for a clean, healthy, comfortable and happy home for your family call Referral at 260-483-4383 or email us at ReferralCarpetCare@msn.com |
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When we think of air pollution, we usually associate it with outdoor air. But with the growing concerns of allergies and asthma more attention has been given to indoor air. In fact, in 1990 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranked indoor air pollution as "a high priority public health risk."
Indoor air quality in the home plays a major role in your respiratory health, particularly if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Research by the American Lung Association and the Environmental Protection Agency
has determined that the inside of most American homes contains two to five times more pollutants than outside air. What is the cause of this? |
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During the 1960’s and 1970’s much of our nation’s focus was on the pollution of our outdoor environment. Concern for fuel economy in the early 1970’s led to changes in construction techniques and building design
to prevent the loss of temperature-controlled air from buildings. Airtight structures keep air inside, but they
also prevent the flow of fresh air from outside. The Indoor Air Quality Association says studies have shown we spend 90 percent of our lives inside a closed structure. Many people with allergies stay indoors when outdoor air is full of pollen and spores. But dust mites, animal dander and even cockroaches can cause problems indoors. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, eight out of 10 people in the United States are exposed to house dust mites, and six out of 10 are exposed to cat or dog dander. Cockroaches cause allergic reactions among people who live in the inner cities or southern parts of the United States.
There is a growing amount of scientific data that reveals better environmental hygiene improves health. The Environmental Protection Agency has consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health, and according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology "50 percent of all illnesses are caused by or aggravated by polluted indoor air."
If you are ready for a clean, healthy, comfortable and happy home for your family call Referral at 260-483-4383 or email us at ReferralCarpetCare@msn.com
So You May Wonder "How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality And Reduce Indoor Allergens?"
Here Are Some Tips To Help Keep Your "Home Sweet Home" A Healthy One For You And Your Family.
Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum.
This cannot be stressed enough. You should vacuum at least twice a week, more often if you have pets. Vacuuming helps rid your carpet of dust, dust mite feces, animal hair and dander, human hair and dead skin, mold spores, dead bugs, abrasive sand and soil that shortens a carpets life. Make sure that you use a vacuum cleaner that has a high efficiency HEPA filtering system.
Dust mites love their home and no big, bad, ugly vacuum cleaner is going to stop them from clinging to carpets. Sad to say, vacuuming doesn't remove mites. It does, however, help remove their dead bodies (which can't cling) and fecal pellets as well as some dust-mite foods such as skin flakes, hair, pet dander, etc. Selecting the proper vacuum is of utmost importance. Look for models with tight connections to prevent allergens from blowing out and built-in HEPA filters, which are designed to absorb and contain up to 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants as small as 0.3 micron. HEPA vacuum cleaners are more expensive, but inexpensive vacuums often have porous bags and loose connections, allowing allergens to escape. If possible the best bet is to install a central vacuum system with the collection bag and motor in the garage. A vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency filtration bag removes soils
and bio-contaminants from carpet and upholstery reducing the release of respirable particles
into the air. These bags are now available for most models of vacuum cleaners at retail stores
that carry vacuum cleaners and accessories.
If you need suggestions for choosing a new vacuum or yours needs repaired call Service All Vacuum - 3211 E State Blvd 46805 260-483-8421 or 1029 East Dupont Road 46845 260-482-2258.
If cleaning hard surface flooring don't sweep because the allergens will be redistributed into the air and remain airborne. Instead vacuum the floors followed by a damp mop to keep the air your family breathes cleaner.
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Adopt A "No Shoes" Policy In Your Home.
Many cultures around the world do this to prevent outside grime and pollutants from entering their tidy homes via the bottom of someone's shoe.
Taking your shoes off may help reduce the number of allergens entering the home. Your carpet will not wear out as soon and it will stay cleaner longer. |
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Clean Your Air Ducts.
The air conditioning and heating system in your home collects and circulates contaminants throughout your home contributing to indoor allergies. Reducing the amount of the allergens circulating through your ventilation system can help to improve the indoor air quality of your home.
Air duct cleaning even makes sense to extend the life and maximize efficiency of your HVAC system. A build up of 0.42 inches of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease in efficiency of 21%. In addition 9 out of 10 heating, ventilating, air conditioning systems failures are caused by dust and dirt.
Read Angie's List Article on "Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It?"
Watch Angie's List consumer awareness video on tips to find the air duct cleaning.
On average the typical homeowner should have the air ducts in their home cleaned at least every 3 - 5 years to help eliminate allergens from being distributed throughout the home. There are some factors involved that would indicate more frequent cleanings such as
allergy sufferers in the home, when you move into a new or used home, after remodeling or renovation, if your pet frequently sheds, moving into a previously occupied residence with smokers, after spring cleaning when dust is kicked up.
If you need your air ducts cleaned in Fort Wayne call Ken at Quality Air Air Duct Cleaning at 260-492-4247 or visit www.492-4air.com |
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Avoid Smoke And Combustion Products.
Smoke is a major asthma trigger so do not allow smoking in your home or car. Avoid burning candles as they release smoke, soot, and small amounts of chemicals into the air. If you do burn candles make sure the wicks are short. Burning a long wick can result in a larger flame and produce more soot. Avoid using scented or slow burning candles because they may contain additional additives. Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces also can be a source of smoke that trigger asthma or allergy symptoms. Avoid using a wood-burning stove or fireplace. Make sure it is airtight if you do use one. If you must use a wood burning stove or fireplace, use dried or cured wood instead of pressure-treated wood because fewer fumes are given off.
The optimal heating system for someone with allergies or asthma would limit exposure to the by-products of burning wood or fossil fuels. Heat pumps, electric baseboard heaters, geothermal heating, or sealed combustion heating are good examples. Do not allow smoking in the house. Other fuel-burning appliances, like gas ranges, oil furnaces, water heaters, and space heaters, release combustion by-products that can pollute indoor air significantly and trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Have these appliances inspected and maintained regularly to identify leaks or damage. Back drafting (downward air flow in a chimney) can allow soot or smoke to enter the living space. Ask a chimney specialist to check the air pressure inside and outside the chimney to prevent back drafting. It's a good idea to have your chimney or flue cleaned and inspected regularly. For dryer vent & chimney inspection, cleaning, repair, and installation call
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Clean Your Mattress.
Imagine getting a good night’s sleep tonight!
On average we spend about one-third of our time in bed. Keeping your sleeping area clean and allergen free is essential for your health.
According to a study published by The National Institute of Environmental Health, 46 percent of North American homes have bedding with enough dust mite allergens to cause allergies. For allergy sufferers, the bedroom is the primary source of dust mite exposure in the home. About 60 percent of mites in the home are found in the mattress, as we spend one third of our life in bed - shedding skin and feeding dust mites.
According to the Center for Disease Control, a mattress can have from 10,000 to 10,000,000 dust mites in it. |
Referral can professionally cleans mattresses. First the mattress is vacuumed with a truck mount so the allergens are vented outside.
Then we wet-clean the top and sides of the mattress. The fabric is not overwet and an air mover is used to accelerate the dry time.
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To Effectively Control Dust Mite Allergens:
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The mattress should be regularly cleaned, about every 6 months for allergy sufferers.
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Wash bedding weekly in hot water and dry in a hot dryer.
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Cover mattresses, box springs and pillows in airtight, zippered plastic or allergen proof fabric covers.
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Don’t forget the pillows. An old pillow can contain up to 20 percent of its weight in dead dust mites, dust mite body parts and their fecal matter. Pillows should be replaced every six months.
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Reduce Dust Mites - The No. 1 Indoor Allergen Source.
The most common cause of indoor allergy and asthma symptoms is dust mites, microscopic creatures that thrive in household dust, even in the cleanest homes. Dust mites are microscopic, eight-legged arachnids (not insects) 0.3mm in length. They are invisible to the human eye, so small they can crawl through the weave of bedding fabrics. Dust mites feed on tiny flakes of shed human skin cells. The average adult sheds about 2 pounds of skin per year. This will feed millions of dust mites.
The dust mite is not what causes the problem. The problem lies with a protein found in the fecal matter called Der p1. The fecal matter is lighter than air and becomes airborne when disturbed by activity like fluffing pillows and tossing and turning during the night. The airborne particles are inhaled; the protein Der p1 breaks down the protective mucous lining of the eyes, nose, lungs and skin. The allergens enter the body and cause an overreaction of the human immune system. |
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Should I Rip The Carpet Out Or Clean It? The TRUTH!
A carpet and allergies are like best friends. Your carpet soaks up anything that touches it and won't release it until it is thoroughly washed. You wouldn't wear a T-shirt for a year without washing it, and carpet is fibrous material just like your clothes, it needs regular cleaning. The link between your carpet and allergies is indisputable. But it is made better or worse depending on how old the carpet is, how thick it is, its quality and of course how often you clean it and with what method of cleaning. Carpet is the largest filter in a home. Carpet filters soils, gases, dust, spills and other pollutants. Most soils encountered are of microscopic size and are invisible to the naked eye. The smaller the particle size the easier it becomes airborne. Particles of one micron size can stay airborne for more than eight hours. These particles are respirable and can trigger allergic reactions. Carpet acts as a trap for airborne particles grounded through natural gravity until they can be safely removed during vacuuming.
It is rare for a person to be allergic to carpet as carpet is usually made from the same sort of fabric types as your clothing. Of course if you know that you get a horrible rash from that wool sweater you got from Aunt Barb last Christmas, make sure you talk to your carpeting specialist to avoid inadvertently buying a wool or wool-blend carpet. There are individuals who are allergic to certain types of carpet or the fumes that are released from new carpet but they are a small percentage. The majority of people will have no trouble with the carpet in their home as long as it is well maintained. The EPA and carpet industry findings indicate that with proper
ventilation of new carpet, carpet itself does not contribute negatively to indoor air quality.
Many people think that carpets and allergies are a bad combination. Even some allergists will encourage their patients to remove carpeting in favor of hardwood or tile floors. However, carpets can actually help to reduce the allergens in your home by trapping them, as long as they are properly cleaned on a regular schedule. Health professionals sometimes recommend that allergy and asthma patients remove carpet from their homes. But those recommendations are generally based on faulty assumptions. In fact, clean, dry, well-maintained carpet actually improves air quality.
In 1975 Sweden claimed that textile floor coverings were causing allergic reactions and subsequently carpet's share of the floor covering market shrank from 40 percent to 2 percent in less than 20 years. Interestingly, a study done in Sweden found that while carpet had steadily decreased, the occurrences of allergic reactions had increased just as steadily. The Swedish people realized their error and carpet is once again a popular floor covering. In fact, in Sweden where health hysteria led to a 77% reduction in carpet use between 1975 and 1990, there was an increase of more than 300% in allergic disease over the same period.
Still want more? Read these articles and study results from the Carpet & Rug Institute on the relationship between carpet and allergy symptoms.
Professional Testing Labs studied the distribution of airborne dust associated with normal activities on hard and soft flooring surfaces. Their findings showed that walking on hard surfaces disturbed more particles because with each footstep the allergens become airborne and enter the breathing zone. In contrast, carpeted surfaces trapped more particles so that walking disturbed fewer particles. The result is less dust in the breathing zone over carpeted floors.
According to Michael A. Berry, Ph.d., former Deputy Director for the EPA Environmental Criteria and
Assessment Office, the single leading cause of poor indoor air quality in built environments today is poor
maintenance. Carpet and upholstery must be cleaned to remove trapped contaminants before they overflow
and are released back into the indoor air. For a healthier indoor environment, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
(IICRC) recommends: Have your carpet cleaned professionally at least once a year by a certified firm to ensure the use of proper extraction procedures, to make certain that the carpet is not overwet and that the soil is not just redistributed, but removed. Learn more about the hot water extraction carpet cleaning method we use and learn why Referral is the best choice to keep your home clean and healthy.
Use The Proper Carpet Cleaning Method -
Hot Water Extraction / Steam Cleaning
Some people believe that if the carpet is steam cleaned or the hot water extraction method is used mold and mildew will grow in the carpet therefore causing allergies. This is not true. Carpet manufactures require the hot water extraction cleaning method to maintain warranties because it is the best system... IF it is done properly. Many cleaning companies have a reputation of leaving the carpet saturated. Referrals cleaning technique is different than many companies. By using powerful truck mounted equipment, keeping the filters clean, using a thorough cleaning technique, performing dry vacuum strokes and using fans allows the carpet Referral cleans to dry quickly. Learn more about the hot water extraction carpet cleaning method we use and learn why Referral is the best choice to keep your home clean and healthy. Here is what some homeowners had to say about Referral and the drying of the carpet.
Mrs. Tyler -There is no worry about wetness. Previously we used a dry cleaner because we were worried about over wetting carpets and padding. Referral left our carpets looking beautiful and almost dry.
Mrs. Phillips - The other cleaners also left my carpet soaked and it took days to dry.
Rachel R - The carpet doesn't feel saturated after cleaning. The carpets are thoroughly clean and dry in a few hours.
Mr. & Mrs. Critchfield - Fans were used to hasten drying. This was superior to any other company we have used in the past. Keep doing what you are doing! |
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Clean For Health.
Carpet and upholstery fabric hide soil. Don’t just clean for appearance
when the accumulation of soil becomes visible. Clean your carpet and all fabric surfaces in your home including mattresses, rugs and upholstered furniture. Our powerful steam cleaning process uses hot water to effectively kill and remove dust mites and other allergens. Follow the above simple tips, and not only will you have a healthier home, but your carpeting will last longer also.
Enjoy significantly reduced allergen levels with Referral Carpet Cleanings many solutions to provide you with relief from allergies. Thorough cleaning
removes soil and pollutants to improve indoor air quality. Our expert technicians use the hot water extraction method also known as steam cleaning, the preferred carpet cleaning method recommended by carpet manufacturers to remove pollutants and allergens for carpet and upholstery. All of our cleaning products are hypoallergenic, non-toxic, dye and perfume free, contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), phosphates or other hazardous materials and are biodegradable and environmentally safe. They are safe and effective for you, your children, your pets and the environment. If you are ready for a healthy home, call 260-483-4383, you can count on the professionals at Referral to make your home a healthy one with these cleaning services Carpet Cleaning Upholstery Cleaning Ceramic Tile & Grout Cleaning Water Damage Restoration Oriental and Area Rug Cleaning Auto, Boat & RV Cleaning Pet Stains & Odor Removal Commercial Cleaning |
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Control Temperature And Humidity.
Maintain a comfortable temperature and relative humidity of 35% - 50 %
If you can cut down on the amount of humidity, you can decrease mold growth and dust mite population. Hygrometers can be used to measure humidity accurately.
Air-conditioning often helps because it allows you to keep the windows closed on high-pollen days and keeps mold growth and dust mites to a minimum. A centralized heating and cooling system helps to maintain the same temperature and control humidity throughout the house.
Use a dehumidifier to keep the level of moisture in the house to a relative humidity of 35-50%. Keeping the house cool and dry helps reduce mold, dust mites, and cockroaches. However, this may be a difficult task depending on where you live. According to Dr. Elaine Gonsior, Director of the Allergy Clinic at Kansas State University, it is very difficult to get humidity levels below 50% in many areas of the United States, even with air conditioning and dehumidifying. "Levels as low as 35% can only be achieved in standard homes in cold, dry climates unless the insulation and ventilation are hi-tech, and that is beyond the reach of the average homeowner," Gonsior says. A basement can also be a source of high moisture which can result in mold. Visit our water damage restoration page to learn how to keep your home dry, clean and healthy.
On the flip side be sure not to lower the humidity to much. As the weather turns dry and the humidity is low static electrification due to walking across carpet is much more likely to occur and to cause an annoying or unpleasant shock. Today many carpets have conductive filaments or antistatic agents build into the carpet fibers to avoid this problem. But certain carpeting may not have these features and is thus prone to static buildup. If your carpet 'bites back' in dry weather it may be possible to obtain some relief by increasing the humidity in the affected room. Adding a humidifier can accomplish the goal of rasing the humidity to 30-40%. As the humidity goes up, this lessens both the static charge and resultant shocks.
Also be sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outdoors. This will prevent odors and high humidity indoors that can cause allergic reactions.
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Increase Ventilation.
If you have forced air heating and cooling systems, leave the fan switched to on at all times. This will continually circulate the air in your home through the air filters, removing airborne particulates. Make sure that you change your filters monthly.
Proper ventilation in certain areas of the home is essential for improving your indoor air quality. An everyday task like cooking can produce odors, water vapor, and other potential irritants like grease and smoke. Avoid using standard window fans for ventilation, because they allow pollen and outdoor mold spores to enter the house. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove moisture and indoor pollutants. |
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Improve Air Filtration.
Be sure to regularly clean or replace your furnace's air filter. A dirty or clogged air filter can decrease the circulation in the home and cause extra work for the furnace increasing utility bills. Also double check to make sure you replace it with the correct size filter.
Consider using high-efficiency HEPA air filters. Although the EPA recommends air filtration, controlling the sources of allergy-causing pollution and ventilation are more important. Air filters are worth considering, but not as a solution to your asthma or allergy problems by themselves. In fact, research studies disagree on whether or not filters give much added relief in a clean and well-ventilated home.
To improve your existing forced air heating/cooling system, consider installing an electrostatic filter. These filters, which work 3-4 times better than a standard foam filter, can be easily installed on your system to minimize small airborne particles that are potential allergens. An alternative to the electrostatic filter is the extended-surface air filter. This accordion-like filter, which is usually 2 to 6 inches thick, requires installation by a professional heating/cooling contractor. The extended-surface filter can last up to 2 years and can capture more airborne allergens than an electrostatic filter.
After taking these steps to remove obvious sources of indoor air pollution, consider purchasing an air cleaner to eliminate any airborne particles that remain. Air cleaners range in size, type, and efficiency. You can choose from an inexpensive, stand-alone, tabletop unit to more involved and expensive whole-house systems. The standard measure to rate the efficiency of an air cleaner is the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), measured in cubic feet per minute. A higher CADR indicates greater ability for the air cleaner to return clean air to the room. Some models are designed with a higher CADR for one type of particle than another. Desktop models are generally too small to be effective, but a stand-alone, single-room High Efficiency Particulate Accumulator (HEPA) air cleaner can help filter out airborne particles like smoke, dust mite allergens, and pet allergens. Electronic air cleaners (also called electrostatic precipitators) are quite efficient, but they release a small amount of ozone while they're running. In general, air cleaners do not remove irritating gases, such as radon, carbon monoxide, or formaldehyde. However, if they contain activated carbon or a similar material they can remove some types of gases. |
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Keep The House Clean.
Since many irritants can be trapped in dust, try to keep your house dust-free. Once a week, use a damp cloth to wipe all flat surfaces. Be careful with the cleaning agents you use. Some scented or aerosol sprays and other cleaners can be irritants for people with asthma and allergies. To be on the safe side, use trigger sprays and a face mask, and increase ventilation while cleaning to minimize your exposure to irritating chemicals. While many allergens and irritants are suspended in household air, there are far more resting on surfaces like rugs, furniture and countertops. Keeping these areas clean is an important step in controlling your allergy and asthma triggers.
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Don't Forget Pets.
Proteins in a pet’s dander, saliva and urine cause pet allergies. Grooming by cats cause the saliva on fur to become airborne, which in turn triggers the allergic reaction. Allergy sufferers should not have pets, but of course many do. We can help by introducing regular cleaning and treatment of their home furnishings.
Dogs, cats and many other animals secrete fluids and shed dander that contains allergens. The allergens stick to the animal's fur or feathers as well as carpet, furniture, bedding, clothing, and many other surfaces. Animal hair or fur is not an allergen itself, but can collect dander and harbor other allergens such as dust or pollen.
Animal allergens can be found everywhere including schools. Pet dander is even present in homes without pets because the dander is carried around on people's clothing. The allergens get in the air with petting, grooming, or stirring of the air where the allergens have settled. Once airborne, the particles can stay suspended in the air for long periods of time.
The best treatment for allergies to animals is to avoid contact altogether, which may make it impossible for you to have pets with fur or feathers at home. If this is unacceptable, make sure you have a treatment plan for your asthma/allergies, keep pets out of the bedroom, keep the animals clean and follow the tips on this page.
Are you allergic to your pet?
Visit the Humane Society's Web Site to learn how to live with your pet in harmony, even in you're allergic to them.
Download your guide to your allergies and your pet here.
Learn more about Referral's Pet Stain & Odor Removal Services on the pet page. |
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If you are ready for a clean, healthy, comfortable and happy home for your family call Referral at 260-483-4383 or email us at ReferralCarpetCare@msn.com
Listen To These Allergy Sufferers Experience With Referral Carpet Cleaning.
Our children have allergies and your method of cleaning does not bother their skin. We appreciate that! Mr. & Mrs. Slosson
I have severe asthma to the point that I am unable to even clean my own bathroom because of the fumes from the cleaning products. Therefore I was concerned about having our carpets cleaned. Referral Carpet Cleaning restored our carpets at our office and I was very surprised that the cleaning solutions do not include harsh chemicals. I was present during the majority of the cleaning and I suffered no ill effects. As a matter of fact, by having the carpet cleaned my asthma related issues at the office have been very few and far between. Many thanks to you! - Ms. Wilkinson
I have tried several companies and there is no comparison to the quality of work performed by Referral Carpet Cleaning. Their professionalism both on the phone and in the home was outstanding. They were very prompt with scheduling as well as arrival on the day of service. The young men who performed the cleaning services were very professional in appearance and extremely polite. They were very careful not to leave the carpet too moist which is so very important in a home where persons with allergies and asthma reside. My carpets dried very quickly and looked absolutely beautiful when the cleaning was completed. They are very knowledgeable regarding stain removal and provide customers with printed information following the cleaning process. I have recommended this company to other people I know and those I work with. - Mrs. McCleskey |
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