You might be surprised to learn that your home can be a haven for many potential allergens. In particular, dust build up can lead to dust mites which although they themselves are not an allergy trigger, their faeces is and can cause skin irritation and inflammation of the respiratory system.
Pet dander or dead skin from a household pet can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Mould spores are another common indoor allergen and can be found anywhere where there is a sufficient supply of moisture and oxygen such as kitchen sinks and bathrooms. Pollen can be brought into the home on clothing and pets and even blown in through open windows and doors leading to an increase in dust build up during the pollinating season (March to June).
To control the number of dust mites in your home you need to control the amount of dust build up. Regular dusting of surfaces will help to remove dust. By using a duster that is electrostatically charged, such as our Ostrich Feather Duster, the dust will be attracted to the duster, preventing it from becoming airborne. The Ostrich Feather Duster can simply be taken outside and shaken. If you’re a severe allergy sufferer you may wish to wear a dust mask whilst doing this.
Pet areas need to be regularly cleaned to remove pet dander and hair. Our top of the range XL10 upright has been judged as excellent at removing pet hairs and dander from carpets. Included with every XL10 upright, the Deluxe Multi-Vac provides additional cleaning support for those with pets. Featuring HEPA filtration the Deluxe Multi-Vac comes with a range of attachments to help clean those awkward, hard-to- reach areas and for removing pet hairs and dander from car interiors.
Allergic reactions can also be triggered by protein found in pet urine. No Return Odour and Stain Remover is a fantastic cleaning product which removes stains and any odours associated with the stain. This product can be used on carpets, fabric and upholstery and will help to prevent the pet from going to the same location again and again. For cats, use Oreck Litter-Ex to naturally remove and absorb the ammonia odour in urine. Litter-Ex is 100% natural, containing no chemicals or fragrance and is a gentle alternative for anyone who is an allergy sufferer. Using Litter-Ex in your cat litter tray will also help to extend the life of your cat litter.
As the weather warms up most of us love to fling open the windows to let in the fresh Spring air. However, with the allergy season approaching, pollen is a major trigger for many hay fever sufferers. Keeping the windows closed and using an Oreck®air purifier will help remove the airborne allergens from your home.
Mould spores appear in moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. To help remove moisture use Alanite Crystals to absorb odours as well as moisture which remains trapped until the crystals are recharged in sunlight. Once regenerated in sunlight the crystals can be used again and again.
To clean mildew that appears in grout between tiles in bathrooms or kitchens use Grunge Attack Ceramic Tile and Grout Cleaner. To remove really tough stains try applying with an old toothbrush for a deep clean.
Regular vacuuming in the home will help to reduce dust and dust mite build up. Carpeted floors will tend to trap more dust and dirt than hard surfaces and so a good thorough clean of your carpets is important. Using an Oreck upright, with its unique brush roll, will ensure that the carpet pile is cleaned deep down. Long angled bristles get deep into the carpet fibres loosening the grip of any dust mites and deeply embedded dirt, before the powerful suction removes the dirt completely.
The vacuum bag provides an important additional protective filter against the escape of any dust or allergens trapped within. Our uprights have a 7-layer filtration system that encompasses both the outer and inner bag. Our XL10 has HEPA filtration: For a machine to be classed as HEPA it needs to be able to filter particles down to 0.3 microns, that’s smaller than most particles of smoke!
The bag itself features a self-sealing closure system, where the bag slides closed when removed so that no dust can escape, unlike bagless cylinder vacuums. Upholstered items that cannot be removed or washed also need vacuuming. Using a vacuum with an exhaust filter and HEPA filtration is the most effective way of removing dust and allergens. The Deluxe Multi-Vac has both of these features and comes complete with a range of attachments ideal for all above floor cleaning. An exhaust filter is another important feature for allergy reduction as this prevents dust from escaping and becoming airborne whilst vacuuming.
For a thorough clean of carpets and upholstery use the Oreck Dry Carpet Cleaning System. The easy four-step process removes spots, stains and allergens such as mould, mildew, dander and dust mites deep inside the carpet fibres. This system leaves the carpet dry so the carpet is ready to walk on as soon as it has been cleaned and allergen levels remains low for weeks after use. For upholstery try using the Premist Spray to help loosen dirt from the fibres.
