Home Cleaning Is Nothing to Sneeze At

Spring is here, and allergies are on the rise. Experts predict that spring of 2012 could be the worst allergy season in 10 years because of a relatively mild winter. Allergy season has already kicked off, causing many allergy sufferers to start taking medications earlier than normal.

Doctors have traditionally cautioned parents to remove wall-to-wall carpeting in their homes as a way to limit exposure to allergens. But a recent study, presented during the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2012 Annual Meeting, has raised significant doubts about the incidence of surface and airborne allergens. In the study, scientists measured higher levels of cat and dust mite allergens floating in rooms with hard floors, compared to carpeted floors that were cleaned through diligent vacuuming and water extraction.

Despite their good intentions and best efforts, Americans doing their Spring cleaning might make the home look or smell better on the surface, but vacuuming and cleaning machines remove a relatively small portion of the dirt, dust and particulates that cause allergic reactions. To combat allergy season and truly make their homes clean, consumers should consider a cleaning by professionals to make a deeper impact this spring.

After more than 60 years in business, Stanley Steemer knows dirt, and in 2011 their technicians removed more than 200 tons of dirt from American Homes. Their experts in the field offer these tips for maintaining a cleaner, healthier home throughout allergy season:

• Vacuum heavy traffic areas 2-3 times a week and the rest of your carpets once a week

• Use indoor and outdoor entrance mats to reduce the amount of dirt that enters your home

• Clean dust and loose dirt from the bottom of the window sills, to prevent it from blowing in

• Vacuum under area rugs periodically; to help periodically remove any loose dirt that might be trapped

• Schedule a professional deep cleaning every six months to help maintain the value and health of your home

For more information about spring cleaning or to engage a professional cleaner, readers can call 1-800-STEEMER or log on to www.stanleysteemer.com.