Many of us look forward to the arrival of spring and summer, when the days are longer and the weather is warmer, but it also marks the start of allergy season.
From dust mites to pollen, any surface can trigger allergies. Luckily, steam cleaners can help with all of them.
Here, an immunologist explains how steam cleaners can help eliminate allergens in your home without the use of chemicals, and offers expert cleaning tips for allergy sufferers.
There are several allergens that plague our homes, the most obvious of which are dust, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. Luckily, when exploring how to combat common allergens, they can all be removed or killed by using the best steam cleaners and steam mops, says Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd.
He explains, “Steam cleaning is an effective way to remove common household allergens, such as dust mite allergens and pet dander, because they can reach higher temperatures. Most steam cleaners start at 212°F/100°C and often reach higher temperatures.”
“Live dust mites start at 131°F/55°C and degrade. While allergens and bacteria are more heat resistant than live dust mites, degenerating at 212°F/100°C, this temperature profile is within the range of most steam cleaning equipment, meaning steam cleaning is an effective way to combat these irritants.”
This is one of the many reasons I use a Black & Decker steam cleaner in my home.
Rated the number one steam cleaner by Home & Garden magazine, Black & Decker steam mops come with attachments to clean everything from upholstery, hard floors, and carpet to grout, tile, and ovens.
As a couple, my partner and I are particularly susceptible to allergens like dust mites. While using the best air purifiers can certainly help, and airing your bedding every morning and vacuuming regularly can limit dust mites, nothing is more effective than regular steam cleaning.
For example, using a steamer every few days when washing your bedding can help kill the mites and bacteria that cause skin irritation and breakouts, which can help us sleep better.
In addition, steam cleaning effectively removes dust, acting like a damp rag, collecting dust and removing it from surfaces rather than spreading it around.
The effectiveness of steam cleaning in fighting allergens is far from anecdotal, too. A study in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy found that “steam cleaning has considerable potential to be a highly effective method for killing dust mites and reducing concentrations of Der p 1 [a dust mite-related allergen] in household settings.”
That being said, there are some caveats to steam cleaning, and some household cleaning mistakes to avoid to avoid making your allergy situation worse.
Dr Purvi Parikh, an allergist at the Allergy & Asthma Network, explains: “Steam can kill dust mites and other bacteria and viruses. However, you have to make sure the surface is sufficiently dry, as damp conditions can increase the risk of mould or dust mites.
“This is especially true for soft furnishings and when exploring how to clean upholstery. But all in all, it’s a great way to clean items without using harsh chemicals.”
Running the best dehumidifier when steam cleaning large areas can help maintain a safe indoor humidity level to prevent mould and musty odours from developing indoors.
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