Your home's health is important for your safety, as well as that of your family and friends. A general cleaning throughout the house is great, but there is more you can do to give yourself some peace of mind. Here are 6 home cleaning tips that will make your home healthier right away.
1. Clean Mold Damage
Our first home cleaning tip is to get rid of your mold. It can end up anywhere, from your shower curtain to your basement. Washing with soap and water is only half the battle. You need to check for mold throughout your home in case it's spread to places that are harder to reach. At the first sign of mold, call a restoration company to come take a look. If it's a small enough area, you can probably do it yourself. But larger sections of mold, especially black mold, should be handled by a professional.
2. Clean Your Carpets
Carpets should be professionally cleaned once a year, but you can also clean them yourself throughout the year. Make sure to vacuum regularly and spot treat stains. You can also rent a steamer to get a deeper clean around the six-month mark. Regularly cleaning your carpet will get rid of dust and allergens that sit in the carpet and the air above your carpet, leading to increased allergies and even sickness.
3. Clean Out Your Air Ducts
Another way to get rid of allergens is to clean out your air ducts. All of the particles from your carpets, your furniture, particles that come through the doors, and even particles from sprays and cooking will eventually end up in your air ducts. Think about everything you're breathing in that isn't pure air. Doesn't sound pleasant, does it? A yearly professional deep cleaning will do wonders for your respiratory system.
4. Clean Your Furniture
Did you know you can clean the upholstery on your furniture? First, you should vacuum regularly to get rid of dust and crumbs. But you can also hire a restoration company to deep clean your furniture items to restore them to their former glory. After a while and some wear and tear, colors will begin to fade and cushions can start to sag. With the right cleaning solutions and training, restoration companies can go beyond what you can do on your own.
5. Inspect For Leaks or Cracked Pipes
This is especially crucial in the winter season – but ideally every couple of months, you should be checking your piping and plumbing for leaks and cracks. Leaks that go unnoticed will eventually lead to water damage that will cost a lot more than fixing a broken pipe. A routine walkthrough of your home to check for cracks or water damage is a great way to prevent this. Be aware – especially in the winter, when frozen pipes can expand with water inside and lead to cracks that weren't there to begin with.
6. Hire A Restoration Company
If you're a DIY type, you probably think you can do all of this yourself. And you may be able to get away with most of it. But hiring a restoration company will lead to a lot fewer headaches and mistakes. Hiring a restoration company to come in once a year to clean your carpets, your air ducts, to inspect for mold and water damage, and do a general walkthrough of your home will give you peace of mind. You'll also be able to learn what to look for between cleanings.
Hopefully, these 6 home cleaning tips gave you a sense of what to do to really take care of your home and your household. Remember that these are just the basics, and you should definitely ask your local restoration company if you have any questions. At ANR Restoration, we are here for any and all of your household cleaning and repair needs. Give us a call today at (812) 220-0671.