Research Supporting the Effectiveness of Steam Cleaning
Allergens, Warm-blooded animals, such as small rodents, birds, and dogs, dust mites in homes, the pollen of trees and grass, indoor and outdoor mold trigger asthma symptoms. Irritants, smoke from cigarettes and wood, scented goods including cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and hairspray. Strong cooking or new paint scents. Air pollution and vehicle fumes. Insecticides and lawn treatments, for example, are also harmful to allergy sufferers.
Doctors and experts concur that removing or drastically reducing dust mite allergens or asthma triggers from the home is the single most crucial thing parents can do to prevent their child from having asthma in the first place.
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The results of the study showed that both dry steam cleaning plus vacuuming and vacuuming alone were effective in reducing house dust mite allergen concentration and load in carpets. However, the effects of intensive vacuuming diminished over time, while steam cleaning plus vacuuming maintained a decrease in allergen levels for up to 8 weeks post-treatment.
Reference: Arbes Jr., S. J., Cohn, R. D., Yin, M., Muilenberg, M. L., & Friedman, W. (2003). House dust mite allergen reduction in low-income, urban homes: a randomized control trial. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 112(2), 357-363.
Why Steam Cleaning is Effective in Reducing Asthma Triggers
Using steam cleaners as an effective approach for asthma, recommended by the CDC, eliminates the need for toxic chemicals found in most cleaning products, thus reducing the risk of triggering asthma and allergies.
Most cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that can worsen asthma and allergies. This is why using steam cleaners to clean your household is the better choice.
Steam cleaners provide chemical free cleaning and harnesse the power of hot vapor to banish invisible allergens, leaving your home a sanctuary of clean, fresh air in your home. With this cleaning device, you will see a drastic improvement of asthma and allergies.
We provided a couple more reasons why you should do deep cleaning with a steamer.
Advantages of Steam Cleaning for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers
1. Chemical-Free Cleaning for a Healthier Home
Sanitizing your home has never been more convenient or environmentally friendly because steam cleaning simply needs heat and water. Does it really make sense to prepare food on a countertop that you just chemically cleaned? With the removal of chemical residue, steam cleaners help to make your home a safer place overall, but especially for kids and pets who practically spend most of the time on the floor.
By lowering the quantity of harsh chemicals that are flushed down the toilet and recycled back into our water supply, steam cleaners also benefit the environment.
2. Swift and Thorough Cleaning with Steam
The outcomes achieved through steam cleaning with Handheld Steam Cleaners or Steam Mops surpass those of traditional methods that rely on harmful chemicals and solvents, although some effort is still required. The process of steam cleaning ensures thorough, swift, and easy removal of debris without the need for chemicals. This is because steam, which sanitizes and deodorizes, utilizes only heat and moisture to accomplish the task.
Every room in your house, including the bathrooms and basements, has a cleaning accessory for large surfaces like tile floors and countertops, carpeting, upholstery, and even barbecue grills. You'll have to tidy stuff you've put off doing for a long time.
3. Germ Elimination through High-Temperature Steam
Mold, viruses, and bacteria may not be visible, but they can pose significant risks as some of the most hazardous pathogens in your home. They have the potential to cause infections, allergies, and rashes. However, with the use of a steam cleaner such as a steam mop or canister steam cleaner, the small vapor molecules generated by the heat can effectively penetrate the surfaces being cleaned. These molecules expand, pushing out all the dirt, grime, and bacteria, ensuring a thorough cleaning process.
Furthermore, because to their extreme heat, vapor molecules have the ability to remove and kill organisms like Salmonella and E. coli from surfaces. Goodbye, contagious foes!
4. Removing Indoor Allergens with Steam Cleaning
The only other factor in the top two causes of allergy responses after pollen is house dust mites. The advantages of steam cleaning include permanently getting rid of these tiny, sneeze-inducing bugs with portable steam cleaners and steam mops. Some allergic reactions result in asthma, which is becoming more common among kids. However, research indicates that avoiding allergens in infancy helps delay the development of asthma.
A fantastic approach to maintain everyone's health in your home is by using a steam cleaner. Your upholstered furniture, mattresses and pillows, and can all be free of these allergens, which can help a lot!
5. Sanitizing Kids' Toys with Steam Cleaning
A germ filled nursery can be transformed using a steam cleaner into a spotless, chemical-free baby paradise. Toys are well-known germ magnets, especially ones that kids share while playing. They are extremely effective at drawing a variety of bodily fluids. After a play date full of runny noses and sniffles, a steam cleaner will eliminate any remaining visitors.
6. Pet Hair Removal and Pest Control with Steam Cleaning
It's not necessary for your home to carry the scent of a pet simply because you own one. A steam cleaner can effectively eliminate the unpleasant odors caused by your dog. It can even clean surfaces like birdcages and aquariums to prevent you from holding your breath when passing the litter box area. The high temperatures produced by the steam cleaner can kill fleas, their eggs, and larvae, without the need for hazardous chemicals. By employing steam cleaners, you can effectively eradicate these persistent bugs.
Recommendations for Optimizing Cleaning Routines for Asthma Relief
Avoid Harsh Carpet Cleaning Products
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which are extremely hazardous coatings meant to repel liquids (like nonstick cookware), are frequently found in standard carpet cleaners. PFCs are extremely harmful to human health since they accumulate in our body and can harm our organs, endocrine systems, and other systems. Additionally, they never degrade in the environment.
Conventional carpet cleaners can contain chemicals and allergens such ammonium hydroxide and are heavily fragranced (phthalates, which are highly poisonous). This is why replacing carpet cleaners for a steam cleaner is much better for your health.
Choose Allergy-Friendly Laundry Solutions
Maintaining clean bedding and clothing helps to lessen exposure to allergens, including those brought home on our clothing, shoes, and school supplies as well as indoor allergens like dust and dust mites and outdoor allergens like pollen.
Unfortunately, a lot of washing products have residues and respiratory irritants that promote the growth of mold and germs. Your best recommendations for choosing a laundry solution that is allergy-friendly include avoiding scents and using a toxin-free product for stain treatment and odor removal.
Improve Indoor Air Quality for Asthma Relief
Maintaining high indoor air quality can significantly lessen allergy and asthma symptoms. Use a HEPA air filter(high efficiency particulate air) and superior HVAC filters to start, which can lessen the quantity of dust and allergens that are circulated throughout your home. Use exhaust fans occasionally in the kitchen and restrooms to help clear the air of moisture and cooking smells.
Most importantly, avoid using traditional air fresheners, candles, or harsh cleaners! The harsh pollutants included in conventional cleaning products have been discovered to be just as harmful to our bodies as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day.
Even essential oils might not be safer, especially for people with respiratory issues. Fragrant products might have a laundry list of dangerous compounds buried under their ingredient lists (including phthalates, which are used to prolong odors).
Extra Expert Tips
- Create a Shoe-Free Policy: Shoes can track in dirt, dust, and outdoor pollutants into your home. Establish a shoe-free policy to minimize the amount of allergens brought inside and maintain cleaner indoor air.
- Choose Low-VOC Paint: When painting your home, opt for low-VOC (volatile organic compound) or zero-VOC paint. These paints release fewer harmful chemicals into the air, reducing potential respiratory irritants.
- Regularly Clean Curtains and Blinds: Curtains and blinds can accumulate dust, pet dander, and other allergens. Regularly vacuum or wash these window treatments to minimize the presence of allergens in your home.
Combat Mold and Mildew for a Healthier Environment
A humidifier can often assist allergy and asthma sufferers reduce their symptoms, but if you're not careful, it can also contribute to the onset of symptoms. It's important to regularly clean humidifiers to prevent the formation of bacteria and mold. Your humidifier should have its water regularly changed and rinsed, and every few days it should be sprayed down with a cleanser and given a good swish to get rid of any nasty germs.
The additional moisture in the air might encourage the formation of mold and mildew, which can eventually cause symptoms. Window sills and tile in the kitchen and bathroom are areas where mold can grow, so give them a regular wipe down with a toxic-free cleaning agent to eliminate mold and mildew.
Conclusion: The Power of Steam Cleaning for Asthma Relief
Steam cleaning is a preferred method for allergy and asthma sufferers due to its chemical-free cleaning and allergen-removing capabilities. It kills germs, eliminates indoor allergens like dust mites, sanitizes kids' toys, and removes pet hair effectively. By avoiding harsh carpet cleaners and improving indoor air quality, individuals with asthma can create a healthier home environment.