Contributed By: Jacques Bouchard
basementsystems.com

Vacuuming does more than improve your home's appearance. A proper vacuuming also makes the area a cleaner, healthier place to live. If you or someone else in the house suffers from asthma or allergies, then carpet-borne particles from pet dander, dust mites, dust mite feces, pollen, and dust are all eagerly waiting to agitate your condition. In fact, the environment indoors, where people spend 90% of their time, can have a pollutant level 2-5 times higher (or even more) than the outdoor environment! At Basement Systems, we've seen more than our share of problems caused by mold, dust mites, and other airborne pollutants. A reliable vacuum cleaner is one line of defense.

Lurking Pollutants

The size of most airborne pollutants is measured in microns (one-millionth of a meter). Common and harmful airborne particles range in size from 2.4 microns to .3 microns. Below are some common household particles and their width:

Human Hair: 60-100 Microns
Dust Mites: 125 Microns
Dust Mite Feces: 10-24 Microns
Pollen: 10-40 Microns
Mold Spores: 2-10 Microns

Unfortunately, the average vacuum cleaner will only filter particles from 30-50 microns in size, meaning that dust mite feces, pollen, and mold spores are not being effectively removed. Animal dander is especially difficult to remove, with particles about 2.5 microns in size that can stay airborne for hours. Some models of vacuum can actually increase the airborne allergen levels in a home! It's time to kick things up a notch.

Dust mite feces can create more than 200 times its body weight in fecal material in a single lifetime.  As this allergens is breathed in, adverse health symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, itchy eyes, sniffles can occur.  In more severe cases, Asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis can also become agitated.  According to American Family Physician, sensitivity to dust mite waste is present in 10% of the population in general and 90% of asthmatic patients.

Window Shopping

Consumer Reports states that high-priced, feature-laden machines will not necessarily do a better cleaning job. In many cases, you'll be able to find a quality upright model that can get the job done. They especially recommend upright models for carpets, but warns that they're awkward on stairs and do not have the cleaning power of central units.  Additionally, they're a louder, heavier unit that is much more awkward and inconvenient to use.

If you suffer from allergies or asthma, however, a central vacuum system may be the best answer. While new vacuum cleaners make many claims, such as High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cleaners that can remove 99.97% of the particles from the air, a central vacuum cleaning system removes 100% of the particles because the air is being ejected outside of the house. Most central vacuum systems have 3-5 times the suction power of a portable system, which means less time vacuuming with better results. While they have a higher initial cost than portables (often less than $1,200 for DIY or $2,500 for pro-install), they can increase the home's resale value as much as 3 times their cost and can last 20-25 years!  And through the course of a central system's life span, it will cost the same or less as repeatedly replacing portable models.  Homes with basements are particularly well suited to be retrofitted with a central vacuum system. Installation is simple and can be completed in one day for most pro's, and in a weekend for DIY.  And ultimately, it provides better cleaning, extending the total life of carpeting and lessening the total cost of floor maintenance. 

Taking Care of Business

When you think of vacuuming, you're probably "thinking carpet". That's a great starting point! Hit the visible carpet area, and be sure not to neglect areas under and behind furniture, where heavy amounts of allergens collect. And take your time- it's easy to vacuum too fast and miss the dirt and debris lying in wait deep within the carpet. Run over all surfaces several times to ensure that they're cleaned properly. Hard floors should never be neglected, as they can also accumulate dust, mold spores and debris. Make sure to change the vacuum bag in portable cleaners when it's about three quarters full, and change the filters often.

Don't stop vacuuming with the floor. Dust mites and other asthma triggers love upholstered furniture. Be sure to take some time on the couch and chairs, and if your drapes and curtains have been hanging untouched all year, it's time for some TLC. And here's a pop quiz: what's the difference between a mattress and a floor when it comes to dust, mold spores, pet dander, and allergens? The answer? You sleep on your mattress! Vacuum it frequently to keep it healthy. To recap, you're sleeping, sitting, and walking in areas laden with mold spores, dirt, dust, dust mites, and pet dander. And to add injury to injury, dirt is grinding continuously against the carpet and wearing it out. The right vacuum cleaner used properly will help stop this. Simple solution, right?

Take it to the Next Level!

Now that your surfaces are clean, it's time to condition the air. Basement Systems has a veritable miracle machine that's perfect for the job. The SaniDry Basement Air System dehumidifies, deodorizes, and filters the air. It's able to remove particles as small as 2 microns- smaller than dust mites, dust mite feces, pollen, and even mold spores! While it's cleaning the air, the SaniDry also dehumidifies it, removing 100 pints of water a day. With its Energy Star Rating, it does this at the same energy usage as a 40 pint model. It's self draining and needs no daily maintenance, and it can lower the humidity levels low enough to prevent the growth of mold and dust mites in your home. And with your humidity levels low, your house will be more energy efficient to heat and cool!

You spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on your home, and it only takes a little more to make it healthy and comfortable. Your home is where you go to relax, recharge, and enjoy your family. Don't sweep allergens under the rug! Splurge.

© 2008 BasementSystems.com
BasementSystems.com is the world leader in developing and providing products that result in dry, below-grade space. The company has a network of more than 300 dealers throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Basement Systems Inc. has been awarded 25 patents for the many unique products developed specifically to prevent basement water damage and repair crawl spaces from damaging moisture problems. The Basement and Crawlspace Specialist.

Related Items

Cen-Tec Systems® 38315 Central Micro Final CVS Filter Our Price: 9.99

CVS-I® CV-HM1 Hose Magic Install Kit w/Pipe Our Price: 99.99