Neglected Cleaning Areas That May Harm Your Health: Disregarded Spotlight and Potential Culprits for Illness
Spring cleaning time is the perfect opportunity to overhaul your cleaning habits and ensure that hidden dirt and germs in your home are no longer a concern. Many prominent spots remain overlooked during regular cleaning sessions, leading to a potentially unhealthy environment. Here's a guide to some of the most neglected spaces in your home, along with expert tips on how to ensure these areas are truly clean.
Sink
Are you ready for a reality check? You might be shocked to learn that 45% of kitchen sinks test positive for coliform bacteria, which includes harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. "Kitchen sinks and cleaning tools are sources of contamination in all households," affirms Jonathan D. Sexton, Ph.D., a research scientist at The University of Arizona.[1][2] Victorious in dish battles, your sink may seem clean, but how often do you actually wash the sink itself?
A 2017 study discovered 362 distinct bacterial species residing in used kitchen sponges.[2] Rather than haphazardly wiping down your sink with a sponge and soap, experts recommend cleaning it once or twice a week with a disinfecting cleaner or diluted bleach.
HVAC
Given that your HVAC system is responsible for the air you breathe inside your home, it's crucial to maintain a clean and efficient system. "[Modern homes often have] ductwork throughout the house, whether that's for heating, air conditioning, or even ventilation," explains Caroline Blazovsky, CEO of My Healthy Home.[3] With time, dust, dander, mold, and chemicals may accumulate in your ductwork, resulting in poor air quality.
If you or someone in your household suffers from asthma, allergies, headaches, or joint pain, this could indicate an overly dirty HVAC system. Blazovsky advises replacing any removable filters regularly and undergoing professional maintenance. "When having your ducts cleaned, ask your inspector to inspect your system using a camera, enabling them to assess and recommend any necessary repairs or replacements," she notes.[3] Experts recommend having your ducts cleaned every three years or sooner if your home experiences high levels of foot traffic or pet ownership.
Blinds and Curtains
Fabric surfaces, such as blinds and curtains, can harbor dust, allergens, and bacteria. While people usually clean carpets on a recurring basis, less popular spots might get overlooked, including blinds and curtains. "Dust, pet hair or dander, and other allergens can wreak havoc on one's health," warns Ina Mundy, Director of Category Management, Small Domestic Appliances at Miele.[4]
Mundy recommends cleaning your drapes and blinds weekly or bi-weekly using a HEPA-filter vacuum, which effectively traps airborne particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and certain viruses.[4] "To be gentle on fabrics, select the lowest vacuum setting, utilize an appropriate brush attachment like an upholstery or mattress nozzle for delicate curtains, and a dusting brush for blinds," she advises. "Begin at the top and progress towards the bottom, allowing dust to settle on the floor as you clean."
Mattress
Swapping your sheets weekly is not enough to guarantee a clean and healthy sleep environment. Surprisingly, your mattress can harbor substantial amounts of skin cells, dust mites, allergens, and bacteria. "We shed 500 million skin cells a day, and when you sleep, your skin cells fall onto your mattress," explains Blazovsky.[4] Additionally, you perspire and release moisture into your mattress, creating an ideal atmosphere for dust mites and allergens to develop.
Blazovsky suggests vacuuming your mattress weekly, removing your sheets, to minimize the risk of allergy symptoms. "Many companies manufacture specific mattress vacuums with HEPA and UV light, both designed to kill dust mites and decrease dander," she adds. "Don't forget to wash your sheets or mattress cover in water above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and run the hot setting on your dryer to eliminate dust mites."
Garage
Last but not least, the garage—a surprise entry, as one might expect it to be inherently filthy. However, the state of your garage can significantly impact the indoor air quality of your home. "I have analyzed homes for close to 25 years, and air samples constantly reveal the presence of substances stored in the garage," notes Blazovsky, citing how air and pressure shifts can pull garage air into the living spaces of the house.[5]
Blazovsky advocates vacuuming the garage routinely to eliminate dust, dander, and critters. Furthermore, avoid storing chemicals like gas, pesticides, paint cans, and other chemicals in attached garages. These materials contain carcinogens and emit high volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can negatively affect your health when breathed in or allowed to off-gas in your environment.[5] "Periodically clean the walls and floor of the garage to reduce chemical buildup and ventilate the space frequently."
Sources:
- NSF International
- Men's Health
- My Healthy Home
- Miele
- Amazon
- It's important to note that kitchen sinks, being a hotspot for coliform bacteria including harmful strains like Salmonella and E. coli, should be cleaned more frequently than just during spring cleaning time.
- Beyond simply vacuuming carpets, it's essential to clean fabric surfaces, such as blinds and curtains, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, as they can harbor dust, allergens, and bacteria that can negatively impact health.
- Maintaining a clean and efficient HVAC system is crucial for the well-being of a household, as a dirty system can lead to poor air quality and symptoms like asthma, allergies, headaches, or joint pain.
- It may come as a surprise, but the garage can significantly impact the indoor air quality of a home. Regular vacuuming, avoiding chemical storage, and cleaning the walls and floor of the garage can help to reduce contamination and improve health.
