![\"Spring](\"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/2007_04_Spring_Cleaning_Tradition.jpg\" "\\"2007_04_Spring_Cleaning_Tradition\\"")
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Many of us may have memories from childhood of mom or grandma turning those first warm beautiful days of spring into an annual work-a-thon ritual known as \u201cSpring Cleaning”. The process usually began by opening every window in the house. This was followed by hauling every rug or carpet that was not attached to the floor to the backyard for a thorough pounding. Other chores usually included stripping beds and turning mattresses as well as a \u2018white glove\u2019 dusting of the entire house from top to bottom.Unfortunately, as times have changed, spring cleaning has taken a backseat to the ever-increasing demands of juggling work and family.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s hectic lifestyle along with appliances like HEPA-filtered vacuums and ionized air filtration systems have relegated spring cleaning to a ceremonial chore, if practiced at all,\u201d says Jane Dias, R.N., C.C.M., M.S., Director of Clinical Disease Management at Cooper University Hospital. \u201cDespite our technology, increasing volumes of research are indicating that even a well-kept modern home may be the most polluted place where we spend time. People with chronic respiratory problems such as asthma and emphysema often blame spring pollen for worsened symptoms when the real culprit may be in their own homes.\u201d<\/p>\n
One often overlooked area of homes and office buildings is the duct work that conveys heating and air conditioning. During winter and summer when the heating or air conditioning units are constantly running, the ducts tend to stay relatively clean because of the constant flow of air. But in the spring and fall, these systems can sit idle for days or weeks. Dirt, dust, mold spores and other allergens then settle inside. When the first hot days of summer arrive, we find ourselves coughing each time the air conditioner comes on.<\/p>\n
An annual and thorough spring cleaning of your home\u2019s duct work can help reduce respiratory problems for the healthy members of your family, and particularly help those with chronic respiratory conditions. If you are planning an indoor spring project that will create dust, clean the duct after you finish.<\/p>\n
The problem of mold in homes new and old has drawn a great deal of attention in recent years. Spring\u2019s warm and often wet weather provides the perfect mold-growing conditions when moisture can find its way to a dark, musty area such as duct work or inside a poorly sealed wall.<\/p>\n
\u201cSimply attacking the problem with a bucket of bleach is not a reliable solution,\u201d Ms. Diaz says. \u201cMost experts advise homeowners to wear gloves along with a breathing mask and eye protection before tackling a major mold clean-up. This is because of the health hazard posed by inhaling certain mold strains.\u201d<\/p>\n
That is why experts recommend not vacuuming areas of mold. Instead, the best solution is to eliminate the moisture component. This can be accomplished by proper ventilation of bathrooms, kitchens, basements and other areas as well as correct sealing and caulking.<\/p>\n
So, while spring may be in the air, don\u2019t forget those childhood memories of spring cleaning. When granny used to beat her rugs during spring cleaning, you could easily see the dust and dirt flying. Today, it\u2019s not only important to keep the ritual alive, it\u2019s also important to focus on the contaminates we can\u2019t see. Sometimes, it\u2019s the dirt you don\u2019t know is there that can be the most dangerous.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Many of us may have memories from childhood of mom or grandma turning those first warm beautiful days of spring into an annual work-a-thon ritual known as \u201cSpring Cleaning”. The process usually began by opening every window in the house. This was followed by hauling every rug or carpet that was not attached to the floor to the backyard for a thorough pounding. Other chores usually included stripping beds and turning mattresses as well as a \u2018white glove\u2019 dusting of the entire house from top to bottom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[26],"class_list":{"0":"entry","1":"post","2":"publish","3":"author-admin","4":"has-excerpt","5":"has-more-link","6":"post-2579","8":"format-standard","9":"category-ehealth-connection","10":"post_tag-allergy-and-immunology"},"yoast_head":"\n