cleaning from top to bottom

I’m a little overboard when it comes to bedding. Actually anything that belongs in the linen closet, I’m a little bit obsessed with. Shopping for towels, bedding, pillows and blankets is one of my favorite things and next on the list of favorites {related to linens} is washing them. People always think I’m crazy when they find out I strip the beds about 2-3 times a week and that {gasp!} I vacuum my mattress. Might sound extreme and I’m really hoping some of you do this too and I’m not the only one!! 

So why do I do this? It’s not OCD, I swear.  It’s just that there are creepy crawlers EVERYWHERE and something that all households have creepin’ around are dust mites. {ick…a chill just went up my back.} Anyone watch Dr. Oz and his episode on parasites today? That’ll get you thinking….

I was sent an article by Laura Dellutri, author of The Overworked Mom’s Stress Free Home Keeping and I wanted to share it with you all! The article is called Cleaning from Top to Bottom: Tips & Secrets for a Cleaner, Healthier Home

When it comes to the routine of cleaning, homeowners tend to be more concerned with stacks of dirty dishes {66%}, piles of laundry {58%} and dust balls on their carpet {57%}, according to a survey commissioned by 3M, maker of Filtrete air cleaning filters. But they often forget about other areas of the home – such as bedding, shower doors and even stuffed animals – that can be breeding grounds for bacteria, mildew, dust mites and foul odors.

…what to do?!? where to start?!!…. 

Start at the Top:  Ceiling fans, tall mantles and bookshelves, and the tops of door frames tend to subscribe to the “out of sight, out of mind” motto.  These areas often harbor dust, so it’s important to wipe them down regularly to help remove dust buildup.  Start at the top and work your way down, collecting all of the dust and dirt that falls to the floor while you’re cleaning. 


Wipe Down Windows and Walls:  Don’t clean windows the old fashioned way – newspaper can cause ink residue and paper towels leave lint behind.  Your best bet is to use microfiber cleaning cloths and a professional window squeegee to get a streak-free, spotless shine. To prevent streaks on shower doors and walls, apply lemon oil to the door twice a month.  This will help repel soap scum and shampoo, while also adding a nice shine.  

Think Horizontally: Dust mites are nearly everywhere.  In fact, the American Lung Association estimates that roughly four out of five homes in the United States have detectable levels of dust mite allergen in at least one bed.  Reduce dust mites by encasing your mattress and pillows, and wash your bedding in hot water about once a week.  Also, since dust mites are microscopic, place strips of duct tape on the mattress case to prevent the dust mites from sneaking through.   

Clean the In-between: While cleaning what you can see, don’t forget to clean what you can’t see – the air you breathe.  Use a high performance air filter in the home, such as the Filtrete 1” Ultimate Allergen Reduction Filter from 3M, to help capture particles such as pollen, smoke, dust mite debris and pet dander from the air that passes through the filter.  Be sure to change your filter at the start of every season, or every three months. 

Freeze the Fur: Stuffed animals can harbor dust mites so it’s important to pay special attention to them.  Place stuffed animals in a large plastic bag and freeze them for four to five hours.  Remove them from the freezer and plastic bag, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove any leftover dust particles.  

Finish With Floors: To keep floors in tip-top shape, vacuum and clean them weekly.  You can easily make your own floor cleaner by adding a few drops of mild liquid dish detergent to a gallon of water. Finally, don’t forget to clean the floor under large pieces of furniture, which may require you to temporarily move them elsewhere.  Corners of rooms and the back of closets often are overlooked, so be sure to clean these areas as well.


For some really helpful email reminders, for instance when it’s time to change the furnace filter and other tips and tools for a healthier home, definitely check out Clear Advantages! I signed up for the filter reminders, because we can never remember when we need a new one!


I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Filtrete and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. 

 

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