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 peak allergy season.
From dust mites to pollen, any surface can trigger an allergy. Luckily, steam cleaners can help you take care of it all.
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.
A variety of allergens plague our homes, with dust, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites being the most notable. Fortunately, when exploring how to combat common allergens, cleaning with the best steam cleaners and steam mops can remove or kill them, 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 are able to reach higher temperatures. Most steam cleaners start at 212°F/100°C and often reach higher temperatures.”
“Live dust mites start to degrade at temperatures starting at 131°F/55°C. While allergens and bacteria are more heat resistant than live dust mites, degenerating at temperatures starting at 212°F/100°C, this temperature curve 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.
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 out bedding every morning and vacuuming regularly can also reduce dust mite infestations, nothing is more effective than regular steam cleaning.
For example, washing your bedding every few days and steaming it with a steamer can help kill the mites and bacteria that cause skin irritation and breakouts, allowing us to sleep better.
Steam cleaning also helps to remove dust properly, acting like a damp rag, collecting dust and sweeping it off surfaces rather than spreading it around.
The effectiveness of steam cleaning in fighting allergens is also far from anecdotal. A study in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy found that “steam cleaning has considerable potential as a highly effective method for killing dust mites and reducing concentrations of Der p 1, a dust mite-related allergen, in domestic settings.”
That being said, there are some caveats to steam cleaning, and some household cleaning mistakes to avoid, lest you make your allergy situation worse.
“Steam can kill dust mites and other bacteria and viruses. However, it’s important to ensure that surfaces are adequately dried, as damp conditions can increase the risk of mold or dust mite growth,” explains Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist at the Allergy & Asthma Network.
“This is especially true for soft furnishings, such as when exploring how to clean upholstery. All in all, it’s a great way to clean items without using harsh chemicals.”
When steam cleaning large areas, running the best dehumidifier can help maintain safe indoor humidity levels to prevent mold and musty odors from developing indoors.
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