There are many types of air particulate that move around in our homes and offices. We buy products, furniture, home goods, and furnishings that most of us do not know what the materials or chemicals they are made from. It has also been said, “that we spend nearly 90% of our time indoors that can affect the quality of our indoor living lifestyles”. Particles like dust, pollen, ragweed, mold, dander, fibers, odors, etc. can produce allergy triggers that can cause you discomfort. I often get calls from people who immediately think they have a mold problem. Why do you think you have mold? Usually mold is produced from water damage and leaks, flooding, excess moisture and high relative humidity over 60%.

No signs of water damage or leaks, no chemical smells, but the house is full of dust, insect and mice droppings, old storage and furniture with films of dust found in all the hidden places behind & underneath furniture, headboards, tops of picture frames, door frames, top sides of ceiling fan paddles, and very high shelves that rarely get cleaned. The vacuum cleaner is rarely used because we are all legitimately busy and continue to remind ourselves with notes that we will get around to eventually cleaning the areas of concern. Note, if you hire a cleaner, it is best to buy and use your own HEPA filtered vacuum. Who knows where your cleaners vacuum has been!

Before spending money having all kinds of testing conducted indoors which can get expensive, I have a few suggestions as pro-active preventative measures:

A Good Thorough General House Cleaning

Clean from top to bottom. Use a soap or detergent. Some use an anti-microbial disinfectant cleaner which can combat, mold, bacteria, odors, virus, etc.

Use a Quality HEPA Vacuum

Vacuum the floors, carpets, sofas, difficult areas and high spaces. Remember, if you hire a cleaner have them use your vacuum. You don’t know where there vacuum has been! I have had cases where clients had severe allergy triggers the next day after the house cleaner arrived the day before.

Dust Thoroughly the entire House

Use a good Swiffer or Dust Rag. Dust the difficult high places such as shelves or cabinets and hidden places underneath or behind bureaus, furniture. Tops of ceiling fan paddles, picture frames, and where necessary.

Invest in Quality HEPA Air Purification
To help clean the air in your space of dust, allergens, mold, fibers, dander, odors, etc. Use them often and move them around because they work!

HVAC Duct Vents have professionally cleaned by a trained and certified company with experience.

Changs the HEPA filter when needed on a regular basis. A MERV Rated filter #7 – #11 is best for residential.

A good general cleaning or sanitizing of the basement/ garage once a year is recommended. Dust or allergens can accumulate fast. While you’re at it some of that storage may need to go. Some hats, clothing been sitting there for years. Give it away, have a yard sale or donate it to a local charitable cause.

Should there be some chronic problem with your indoor air quality then it is recommended to call a professional who is trained, certified with experience. We provide mold and allergen testing for your home or office.

Serving Greater Boston, South Shore, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Andy Provitola CMC,IEP,
Environmental Resources
Pembroke, MA 02359
781-248-9975
www.airenvironments.com