27. February 2008 by Dean of Clean.

What does your home have to do with your allergies?


The answer may be lots! It depends on what you’re allergic to.

In our Southwest Colorado area, seasonal allergies to various pollens and plants can (and do) strike anywhere, especially outdoors. There’s not much that cleaning your home can do for these allergies. Consult your health practitioner for possible treatments.

But if you or a family member is allergic to pets or dustmites, or has asthma, simply cleaning house will provide enormous relief! Allergens produced by cats (Fel d 1) dogs (Can f 1) or dust mites (Der f 1, Der p 1) can be cleaned out of your carpet, upholstery and mattresses by a competent professional cleaner using hot water extraction.

“Exposure to allergens produced by dust mites - found in nearly every indoor environment - can lead to asthma in children who are predisposed to developing the disease.”
- Institute of Medicine

Dust mites feed on our dead skin cells, and are not, in and of themselves, harmful - but there are allergens in their tiny dead bodies and waste that cause a reaction in some people and aggravate asthma in others. A dust mite will produce 200 times its own body weight in feces during its short lifetime! Mattresses contain 60% of the dust mites found in the home.

If you have asthma or allergies, the first step is to clean your mattress thoroughly, wash pillows (or get new ones), then use hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers designed to keep the mites out. Launder the bedding frequently to remove accumulated mites, waste and other allergens.

Then have the carpet and upholstery cleaned - preferably twice a year - with hot water extraction, and consider applying ResponsibleCare Allergy Relief Treatment, a natural, seed-based product which denatures the allergens for up to 6 months to prevent allergic reactions.

This is how it works: picture an allergen as a key, and the allergic reaction as a lock. When the right “key” fits a lock, the sneezing and wheezing starts! The Allergy Relief Treatment changes the shape of the allergen proteins so they no longer “fit the lock” of your allergic reaction. And it lasts up to six months when applied to carpet, upholstery and mattresses. There’s even a laundry version that can be used periodically on your bedding for further relief.

For more information in the Durango, Colorado area, call 970-385-8444 and ask for a Free Carpet Audit and Exact, no-obligation Quote. Or log onto www.ultrasteamcleaning.com and click on “secrets of allergy relief”.

In other areas, you can find qualified, professional cleaners on www.ethicalservices.com or www.iicrc.org!

Posted in upholstery cleaning, durango, allergy relief, allergies, Carpet Cleaning | No Comments »

15. February 2008 by Dean of Clean.

Why clean your carpet, tile and grout in the winter?

There are several good reasons…

1-Faster Service - Cleaning companies are slower this time of year, so you’ll get an appointment sooner, and the technician will have more time for extra work or to work on stubborn stains.

2-Indoor air quality - Your house is closed up more this time of year, trapping dust and allergens inside to recirculate through the house. Carpet and upholstery acts as a “trap” for many of these pollutants, but like all filters, it works best when it’s clean. If you haven’t cleaned for a while, you’ll be amazed at how “spring-fresh” we can make your home feel while it’s still white outside!

3-Fast Drying - If your cleaning company is qualified and knowledgeable, they’ll take advantage of the dry winter air to help dry your carpet faster! Just open a few windows just a crack, turn on ceiling fans, leave the thermostat around 70-72, and it’ll be dry almost as fast as summer. (And if your company utilizes the new downdraft drying fans, like Ultrasteam of Durango does, each room will be dry usually within an hour or two!)

4-The Best Deals - Because this is the slow season for cleaning companies, this is when they run their best specials. So, if you’re on a budget, this is a perfect time to stretch your cleaning dollar! If you live in Durango, Colorado, log on to www.ultrasteamcleaning.com to see learn more about our company and see us in action. If you live elsewhere, try www.ethicalservices.com to find a pre-screened professional cleaner in your area!

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