Spring cleaning: How to clean your house and keep it that way

One of the things most people don’t love about spring or any time of the year is the thought of giving your home a thorough cleaning — inside and out.

It’s just filled with all those major projects that involve seemingly overwhelming tasks like cleaning out closets, deep cleaning room by room, decluttering and more.

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But it doesn’t have to be that way. Experts advise setting a goal and doing something every day or every week until the jobs are done. Don’t worry whether it’s enough to pass the white glove test. What you are going for is an easy, comfortable and non-stressful living space that makes you and your family happy.

Amy Bates, owner of Merry Maids Tulsa Metro, offers the following tips for tackling spring cleaning at your home or apartment.

1 Declutter, donate and toss: Get rid of the clutter that’s taking up space in the home. So donate it or toss it. Or hold a garage sale to get rid of those unwanted items and make a little extra cash in the process. That includes old clothes (if you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s old), old books, broken toys, etc. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to declutter.

2 Go the natural way: Use natural cleaning products rather than harmful chemicals. Stock up on natural cleaning products like vinegar, baking soda, lemons, and tea tree oil. Those are effective and inexpensive.

3 Start top to bottom: Start upstairs and tackle one room at a time. Get that sense of accomplishment by focusing on one room at a time. Stopping and starting to go from one room to the other seems to slow down the process. Or spread your cleaning out over two days. Do the upstairs on day one and the downstairs on day two. It makes the tasks seem much less daunting.

And really clean top to bottom. Don’t forget to dust on top of book shelves and mantels.

4 Use simple cleaning tricks: Faster, more effective cleaning can be accomplished using simple tricks. For example, cleaning windows and mirrors with newspapers instead of paper towels leaves fewer streaks and no paper towel lint. Dryer sheets work great on baseboards. They clean off the dirt and dust and reduce future dust buildup. And have you ever thought of using an extra sticky roller on couches to get rid of pet hair? Try it.

5 Don’t forget the big stuff: Don’t overlook major appliances when you’re doing your spring cleaning. Give them a nice, deep clean. Run baking soda and vinegar in your clothes washer for a clean, fresh scent upon completion. Run vinegar through the dishwasher to get rid of hard water. Wipe down the inside of your refrigerator with a vinegar and water mixture to sanitize and freshen.

6 Get your outdoor spaces ready: You’ll be spending more time outdoors, so wipe down chair handles with a damp cloth and vacuum the dust out of cushions. A quick trick is to put cushions in a trash bag, insert a vacuum hose into the bag, wrap the bag around the hose and turn it on. The suction from the vacuum will flatten the cushion and inhale all dust and pollen. Get those outdoor grills clean and ready, too. And sweep away the cobwebs from the corners of your porch.

7 Organize your closet by color: Organizing your closet is one of the first steps to the rest of your home. Organizing your clothes by color will make your closet look nice and uniform and makes getting dressed in the morning a snap. Your closet will look appealing, and your everyday routine will be easier.

8 Give your carpet a fresh, clean smell: Give it a boost with ½ cup of Borax, ½ cup baking soda and several drops of your favorite essential oil. Sprinkle it on the carpet and let it sit 30 minutes. Then vacuum away. Your carpet and your entire room will have a fresh aroma. And ask people to take their shoes off when entering your home. It will take away from tracking in the outside.

9 Change things up: One way to give your home a fresh feel is to make some simple changes. For an easy makeover, change out your couch or bed pillows to set a different mood. Or place fresh-cut flowers throughout the house. You will instantly feel revitalized in your home.

10 Change those filters: It’s a great idea to use spring cleaning as a time to change all your filters — air filters, water filters, etc. Changing the air filters in your home will cut down on the amount of dust you see on surfaces, and the air will smell fresher.

Rita Sherrow 918-581-8360

rita.sherrow@tulsaworld.com

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Spring cleaning: How to clean your house and keep it that way

Health Matters: Help with spring allergies

Q: Are there any suggestions for helping me with my allergies this spring? I hate taking medications, and the pollen is just terrible this year. Even with the recent rain, I am still suffering. — T.S., by email

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Health Matters: Help with spring allergies

Stop Sneezing! Reduce Spring Allergies Now

The grass is green, the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and the weather is warming up.

The only thing missing from this picture of spring is you sneezing.

It’s just one downside to the longer days and beautiful weather that come with the new season.

While there’s a beauty to seeing flowers and trees come back to life after winter, it’s the blooming process that releases pollen into the atmosphere. This is when the sneezing and sniffling ensues.

“Pollen is the biggest trigger for spring allergies. These tiny grains are released into the air by trees, grass and weeds in order to fertilize other plants. But when pollen grains get into the nose of someone who is allergic, their immune system kicks into overdrive,” says Dr. Robert Mentyka, an allergist at Geisinger-Scenery Park.

Your immune system sees pollen as a foreign invader and therefore releases antibodies, which normally attack bacteria and viruses.

“Allergy antibodies release histamine and a number of other chemicals that trigger your runny nose, itchy and watery eyes and other allergy symptoms,” Mentyka explains.

If you are one of the 35 million Americans that are sensitive to pollen, there are some things you can do to lessen the symptoms now and when plants are in full bloom.

“Before trees begin blooming and releasing pollen into the air, you can start taking an over-the-counter antihistamine like Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin or a similar generic medication. An antihistamine will reduce the amount of histamine in your body,” Dr. Mentyka says. 

Also, there are two over-the-counter intranasal corticosteroid sprays (Nasacort and Flonase) that inhibit release of the histamine and other chemicals to reduce symptoms. Or, you can also try a decongestant, which can help clear out mucus from your nasal passageways, relieving congestion and swelling.

Taking medication isn’t your only preventative option.

“You can use a saline spray to clean the pollen out of your nasal passages one to two times a day,” Mentyka suggests. Nasal saline spray can also help ease congestion and clear out clogged nasal passages faster than oral decongestants.

Timing matters too. Some days have high pollen counts, so limiting your time outside can help your symptoms. But this isn’t always practical. Many plants pollinate between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., so avoiding or limiting your time outside during this time will help to ensure your symptoms don’t get worse.

“If you’re outside when the pollen count is high, you can pick up pollen in your hair, on your face and on your clothes. And it is worse if it’s windy – wind stirs the pollen around,” says Mentyka.

Fido is a pollen carrier too. So if you take your dog out for a walk, he will also be coming home with pollen on him.

“When you do go outside, even if you’re only in your own backyard, you should change your clothes and take a shower to get rid of as much pollen as possible,” Mentyka advises.

You may be tempted to open your windows to let the spring weather into your home, especially while you’re sleeping, but you’ll also be letting pollen in.

“When pollen counts are high, shut your windows and use your air conditioner instead. Doing this will ensure there is very little pollen in your home,” Mentyka says. Similarly, you should regularly change air filters in your home to make sure they’re properly preventing pollen and allergens from getting into your home.

Stop Sneezing! Reduce Spring Allergies Now

Steps to keep your home allergen-free this spring

Q • What are the best ways to prepare my home for allergy season?

A • Spring is in the air, bringing beautiful blooms and pollen that can cause headaches for allergy sufferers. Take a few extra precautions to keep your home clean and reduce indoor allergens this spring.

Shutting windows and doors are not the only way to stop pollen and dust from coming inside. Choose the right air filter for your furnace to filter allergen particles. Several types and levels of filtration are available. Filters are rated using a Filter Performance Rating scale, with 1 being the lowest filtration level and 10 being the highest. For homes with severe allergy sufferers, use an FPR 10 filter to remove virtually all particles from the air when the furnace or air conditioner is running.

In addition to getting rid of airborne particles, it is also important to clean dust and pollen off of your surfaces correctly. Microfiber towels and static cling dusters hold the particles rather than releasing them into the air. The right vacuum can also make a big difference. Choose a sealed system vacuum such as the Shark Navigator to filter the air while vacuuming and stop particles from being released into the air. Be sure to stop dust, pollen and dirt at the door by using two doormats, one outside and one inside.

Spring showers and rising humidity levels outdoors create the perfect conditions for mold and mildew, especially in damp areas in the home. Mold spores are among the most harmful allergens and can be difficult to remove. Begin cleaning and treating for mold in the shower or bath, or anywhere that is wet for extended periods of time. Black spots often grow in the caulk or in crevices in your shower. Left untreated, the mold can grow into a much larger issue. Use a mold- and mildew-specific cleaner to immediately stop the growth of the mold. It is always a good idea to recaulk the area using a product with Microban to inhibit future mold growth. For other areas of the home, use a mold test kit to help identify problem spots.

Ensuring your home is clean and allergen-free during the spring can help allergy sufferers sleep better and provide a place to recover from the outdoors during the season. By following these steps, you and your family can have a more enjoyable spring at home.

Steps to keep your home allergen-free this spring

Are Your Home's Air Ducts on Your Spring Cleaning Checklist?

SOURCE: SERVPRO Industries, Inc.

GALLATIN, TN–(Marketwired – Mar 27, 2015) –  Whether you are looking out your window at a blanket of snow or a grove of palm trees, March is the month when spring finally arrives. And traditionally, this is the time when homeowners begin to make a list of spring cleaning chores to prepare for warmer weather ahead. This year, remediation specialist SERVPRO^® suggests including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct maintenance on your to-do list.

“At the very least, performing some simple maintenance on the ducts in your home will help your HVAC system work at maximum efficiency,” said Sue Steen, Servpro Industries, Inc. chief executive officer. “In some cases, it may highlight a problem you need to address.”

Steen offers the following guidelines based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations for routine maintenance of the HVAC system in your home:

1. Maintain filters.
Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your HVAC system and change filters regularly. If your filters become clogged, change them more frequently. Also, be sure you do not have any missing filters and that air cannot bypass filters through gaps around the filter holder.

2. Minimize dust.
Dust and vacuum your home regularly, using the highest efficiency filter bags your vacuum cleaner can take — preferably HEPA bags. If you undertake dusty construction or renovation work in your home, seal off supply and return registers and do not turn your HVAC system on until you have cleaned up the dust.

3. Clean cooling coils and drain pans.
Cooling coils, which are designed to remove water from the air, can be a major source of moisture contamination that can lead to mold growth in your HVAC system. Make sure that the drain pans under these coils drain properly and check any nearby insulation for wet spots. If you see substantial standing water and/or debris in these pans, contact a qualified service professional immediately. If your system includes an in-duct humidifier, be sure to follow manufacturer operating instructions.

For some homeowners, this routine maintenance may uncover evidence of a larger problem, like mold growth, rodent or insect infestation, or ducts so clogged with dust and debris that particles are being released into the home through air supply registers. Steen says this is the time to call in the professionals for an expert evaluation of the problem and, if necessary, a cleanup plan.

“Restoration and remediation specialists like the technicians at SERVPRO can help you determine how serious the problem is,” says Steen. “In many cases, routine maintenance is all that is required. But if the problem could pose a health threat to people living in the house, you need to call in the professionals. SERVPRO technicians are trained to use specialized cleaning and disposal techniques to remove any contaminants from your ducts safely and completely, without releasing them into your home.” 

For more information on air duct cleaning and other related cleaning services, please visit https://www.servpro.com/airduct-cleaning.

About SERVPRO^®
Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO^® Franchise System is a national leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of nearly 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar losses. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

Are Your Home"s Air Ducts on Your Spring Cleaning Checklist?

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OK Doctor Talks Ways To Soothe Spring Allergies

OKLAHOMA CITY -

Allergy season of course is in full swing, and doctors say one of the best ways to cope with the symptoms is to first start at home.

Keeping your air filters and your flooring clean is key.  Many people suffering allergies just reach for their medicine, but to make sure all the pollen and dust stays out, you have to check your vents.

“You got to keep it clean because it runs so much, and these filters are very important,” said Dennis McCullough, service manager Hill & Company, which specializes in heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

As temperatures warm up, an A/C unit will be man’s best friend, and the more it runs, the more it can keep dirt and dust out.

“If it’s getting dirty, go ahead and change it because it will make a difference in the way you breathe and the way your system breathes,” McCullough said.

He says the larger the pleat on your air filter, the more dirt it can trap, and using an electronic air cleaner is your best bet to rid of 99 percent germs that get inside your home. Keep your air ducts sealed and periodically spot check for ductwork damage, and check your humidity.

McCullough says high humidity levels create excess moisture in the air and spread mold growth, increasing the rate of dust mites. Household humidity levels should be around 40 percent, and if it reaches above 60 percent, get a dehumidifier.

“You would actually help your allergies if, rather than leave your AC off, you should turn it on a fan only mode, because then those filters are going to be pulling that stuff out,” said Dr. Greg Krempl, an ear nose and throat doctor at OU Medical Center.

Krempl says other ways to keep your home Allergy-free are:

-Shower at night, so you don’t bring any dust or pollen to bed

-Change clothes after you garden or do yard work

-Keep coats and boots by the door

-Vacuum regularly or consider getting hardwood or tile floors

-Wash your pets more frequently or keep them outside

-Change or check your air filters every month.

“It’s really the only filter that we have, it’s your only way to clear that stuff out of your house, it is important to keeping your home both dust-free and allergy free,” Krempl said. “If you put in a filtration system, you won’t see a change overnight. It will take at least 30 times for it to turn it over, and you have to make sure your vacuum also has a filter on it.”

The best remedy is to just stay indoors, but that’s impossible for many. Doctors say there is also a very effective nasal spray called Nasacort that is now available over the counter, which helps stop runny noses and decongestion for 24 hours.

OK Doctor Talks Ways To Soothe Spring Allergies