9. March 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Spring is coming, and allergies sometimes follow! Here are some tips to help minimize them:

1 - Know what you’re allergic to. Some people (like myself!) are allergic to seasonal pollens, and these allergies can often be helped by a combination of diet, homeopathic remedies and non-prescription medications. Other people are allergic to dust mites, pet dander or other allergens that are more common indoors than out. A visit to your doctor may be in order, or ask him for a referral to an allergy specialist, to find out what you are allergic to and how best to treat it.

2 - Minimize your exposure to your allergens. If you’re allergic to juniper pollen, for instance, refrain from walks in those woods while they’re putting it out in the air. (Or if you’re like me and can’t resist, just bring some tissues.) And make sure that you don’t have a big fat bush of whatever makes you sneeze planted right outside your open window! If you’re allergic to indoor allergens, I have good news for you - just check out this link about how cleaning can relieve your allergies.

3 - Consider investing in a good vacuum (with a HEPA filter) This will help you out some no matter which allergies you have, but especially if they’re the indoor type. Cheap vacuums, even those that say their bags “catch allergens” tend to actually let a lot of them back out in the air as you vacuum. Get a good vacuum once, and you’ll notice the clean air difference as you clean - and you won’t be replacing it all the time, either!

I have two vacuum recommendations, both moderately priced (around $500)

We use commercial Sanitaire HEPA uprights in our company to get the maximum dry soil removal before starting to clean your carpets. The model is SC9180, and can be bought at local vacuum stores, or from us directly. The Sanitaire uses disposable bags and has a washable HEPA filter, an extra-long cord and lots of power.

I also have many clients with Dyson vacuums who truly love them, particularly for their outstanding performance on pet hair. You can find these at larger retailers like Target or at hardware stores like Kroeger’s here in Durango.

Next time I’ll explain a little more about indoor allergens, and how we can help reduce your symptoms!

Learn more about carpet and upholstery cleaning at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.RugMastersOfDurango.com

Posted in dust mites, upholstery cleaning, allergy relief, allergies, Carpet Cleaning | 1 Comment »

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 »