Allergies

Keeping The Dust In Your Home Under Control

by Jennifer | No Comments Thursday, April 14, 2011

Minimizing dust in your home is a major factor in your overall health and well-being. Of course, there’s no way to completely eradicate all of it, especially because dust is constantly being formed from shedding skin, material fibers, pet hair, and other particulates. But keeping it from getting out of control is important because dust can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, and in extreme cases, a heart attack.

Regular cleaning by you and/or a maid service plays a key role in keeping dust under control. Avoid using feather dusters, and other things that do little more than move dust around. Instead, use a slightly dampened microfiber cloth or rag to hand-wipe all surfaces. Check out http://www.rd.com/home/8-smart-strategies-to-make-your-home-dust-proof/ for great tips on dusting.

At Bit a Bliss we are dedicated to providing extraordinary maid service in Plano, Frisco, Dallas and the surrounding area.  Everyone deserves a Bit a Bliss!  www.bitabliss.com

Preventing and Reducing Spring Allergies

by Jennifer | No Comments Sunday, March 13, 2011

Simple ways to reduce allergy inducing pathogens in the home for a brighter, more enjoyable spring!

- Keep your house clean, making sure your carpets are vacuumed regularly (and that the vacuum has a hepa filter) and your belongings are dusted often.  Doing just a little bit every day helps maintain a healthy home.

- Do your “spring cleaning,” and get rid of unwanted and unused items in your home that can increase clutter and make maintaining cleanliness difficult.

-Keep your pets well groomed, especially if they love the outdoors. They bring a numerous amount of particulates back in the home.

-Take your shoes off at the door. Just like your pets, you bring in a little piece of the outdoors every time you come back inside. If you have been out all day, change your clothes before you unwind.

-If you need allergy medicine, make sure you have what works best for you. Talk to your doctor about your options, and how severe your discomfort can be.

-When breaking out your spring and summer clothes that have been stored away all winter, run everything through the laundry before putting them where they belong.

-Make sure your air conditioner filters are clean. They should be replaced about every three to six months, depending on the size of your home, and if you have pets.

-Know your area’s most common allergens. You may be surprised to find out what’s bugging you! http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/common/states/TX-common-allergens

At Bit a Bliss we are dedicated to providing extraordinary maid service.  Everyone deserves a Bit a Bliss!  www.bitabliss.com

What is that Pink stuff in the Shower?

by Scarlette | 1 Comment Thursday, November 11, 2010

You might hear it called pink mold, but is not a mold at all. Unless you clean your shower and toilets every few days it is likely that you have seen the pink stuff.  It commonly grows in shower tiles and grout, the bottom of shower curtains, inside toilets.   

The pink stuff in the shower is an airborne bacteria called Serratia marcescens .  It is not something you want to have around, the bacteria can be responsible for respiratory and urinary tract infections.

This bacteria loves a moist environment so the bathroom is a perfect home to grow.  Since you don’t want your family bathing in bacteria it is important to clean it up as soon as you notice the pink color appearing in your bathroom.   It isn’t difficult to clean, a bleach based product will work very well.  For a more environmentally friendly solution vinegar will also work to rid the bathroom of the pink bacteria, but remember you don’t want to put vinegar on natural stone like travertine or marble.

At Bit a Bliss we are dedicated to providing our clients extraordinary service.   www.bitabliss.com

Environmentally Friendly Air Fresheners

by Scarlette | No Comments Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The air fresheners many of us use in our homes are not particularly environmentally friendly.  Several studies including one by the Natural Resources Defense Council have found many air fresheners and candles contain harmful chemicals known as Phthalates .  These air fresheners may make our home smell better for a short time, but they are also releasing toxins that have been known to cause hormonal abnormities, birth defects, and reproductive problems.   

Don’t worry; you can still enjoy a nice, fresh smelling home without harmful air fresheners.  Here are few things you can do that will keep you and your family toxin free while eliminating odors.

Start with finding the source of odors and eliminating it:

  • Have carpets and rugs professionally cleaned
  • Have drapes and curtains professionally cleaned
  • Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter

If you would still like to give your home an environmentally friendly fresh scent: 

  • Boil lemon slices in a pot
  • Add lavender or peppermint oil to a pot of boiling water
  • Both vinegar and baking soda dissolved in water absorbs bad smells
  • Around the holidays boiling cinnamon sticks gives off a wonderful aroma
  • Fill a bowl with petals from  flowers or herbs

Spring Cleaning to Fight Allergies

by admin | 1 Comment Sunday, April 4, 2010

The arrival of spring brings the blooming trees and flowers, and the pollen dust.  There seems to be a green dust on everything and even though you may not be able to see it, it is probably in your house too.   There are a few things you can do to help the sneezes and the itchy water eyes and improve your indoor air quality.

  • Dust thoroughly and often.
    • Pollen dust is just like the other dust you find in your home, it sticks around until you clean it off so it is very important to get all of those surfaces that you may not think about, tops of cabinets, ceiling fans etc…  Wet dusting is recommended, you can lightly dampen a cloth with water or use Murphy’s Oil Soap to dampen your dusting tools.   
  • Vacuum all upholstery and carpet with a HEPA filter vacuum.
    • The pollen can settle in your carpet and fabric furniture, using a HEPA filter will prevent dust and allergens from being blown out of a bag right back onto your carpet.
  • Wash or dry clean all of your bedding and curtains or drapes
    • Drapes, curtains and blinds are dust and allergen traps, they sit right there in front of your windows and catching alot of the dust and allergens coming in through open windows or the little crevices or closed windows.
  • Destroy mold and mildew
    • Get rid of mold and mildew indoors by cleaning under the refrigerator, washing and disinfecting garbage cans, thoroughly scrubbing bathrooms, and cleaning or changing shower curtains.
  • Change filters
    • Don’t forget to change the filters on your air conditioners, air purifiers, dehumidifiers and vent registers.  Dust and allergens can build up in these filters and if not changed can continue blowing the allergens into your home even after you have cleaned.

 

These are just a few tips to help get you through the allergy season, look for more soon!