Writer: Linda Anderson, 979-862-1460,lw-anderson@tamu.edu
Contact: Janie Harris, 979-845-3850,jl-harris@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – If you've ever spent an entire weekend cleaning the house from top to bottom, but it still seems dirty, the problem may not be in your imagination. The problem may be in the air.

"Indoor air is often more contaminated than outdoor air," said Janie Harris, Texas Cooperative Extension housing and environment specialist. "Household cleaning can affect the concentration of particles in the air."

That's because while many air pollutants come from outside – such as dust particles and smoke – some are generated inside, she said. These include smoke and grease from cooking, mold and fungus, pet dander, dust stirred up from vacuuming, and residue from some household cleaning products.

These indoor air pollutants don't just make the house smell bad, she said.

"Airborne particles can cause breathing problems and allergies in sensitive individuals and potential severe health problems for persons with asthma," Harris said. "Controlling the concentration of particulates through cleaning can help relieve symptoms and prevent disease."

Harris advised some common sense steps:

To help keep smoke and grease out of the air, use an exhaust fan when cooking.

"A vented range hood is most effective in exhausting moisture and particulates," she said. "The exhaust should be vented to the outside of the home. Unfortunately, many homes only have charcoal-filtered vent hoods over the range."

The most effective of these range hoods matches the size of the stove top, has the highest amount of air flow with the least amount of noise, and is set as close as possible to the top of the stove.

However, she warned, "Any hood used with a gas range should not generate air currents that will distort the shape of the flame from each burner."

And never turn the oven to self-cleaning mode without turning on the exhaust fan, she added.

To lower the risk of mold and mildew in the house, don't give them a place to grow, Harris said.

Because mold and mildew require a food source and a moist environment to thrive, "the solution is to control moisture and keep it clean," she said. "Repair all plumbing leaks. Reduce relative humidity levels in the home to no more than 50 percent. If condensation forms on windows during cold weather, the humidity needs to be reduced even further, maybe down to 30 percent."

Use a dehumidifier, an air conditioner or a furnace to reduce humidity, and use a fan or open a window to increase air flow to problems area, she added.

Vent exhaust fans and clothes driers to the outside; don't use unvented kerosene or gas heaters; don't store high-moisture items such as firewood inside the house; and use a vapor barrier to reduce moisture in crawl spaces, Harris said.

Clean and dry surfaces to keep mold from growing on them.

"One of the most effective, least expensive disinfectants is chlorine bleach," she said. "Products with an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) registration number are reliable disinfectants and have instructions for disinfecting."

But be sure to clean with detergent and water first.

"If you use bleach first, you may not be able to see if you have actually gotten the surface clean," she said.

To keep from stirring up dust when cleaning floors, wet-clean hard floors instead of sweeping them, Harris said.

If using a vacuum cleaner, start at the edge of the carpet with the wand of a canister vacuum, she said, and work toward uncleaned carpet with the canister behind you on the cleaned part of the carpet.

"Some vacuum cleaners are designed with blowers which handle high-efficiency HEPA filters," Harris said. "These filters capture at least 99.97 percent of the smallest particles in the discharge air."

These cleaners were once very expensive, but several more reasonably priced models are now available, Harris said.

"Spending a few dollars more may be justified if someone in the household has severe allergies," she said.

"Less-expensive alternatives are the special replacement bags now available, which claim to improve the collection efficiency of older vacuum cleaners," Harris said. "Keep in mind, however, that improved filtration efficiency comes at the expense of air flow, and good vacuum cleaning requires both vacuum and air flow."

Upholstered furniture should be vacuumed at least twice each month. Furniture with easier-to-clean leather upholstery might be worth considering if family members have allergies, she added.

When it comes to pet dander and family members with allergies, "the solution that offers the most relief is to remove the animal from the house," Harris said. "Vacuuming furnishings captures some dander but it does not offer complete relief."

Reduce the amount of pet dander in the house by keeping the pet and pet areas clean, she said. Launder the animal's bedding once each week, daily clean the areas where the pet stays, and wipe up any spilled water. Pets should be bathed and brushed each week, and kept out of the family's bedrooms.

Some products designed to help keep homes clean can contribute to indoor air pollution. And although some household cleaning products will probably be necessary, Harris said, remember more is not necessarily better.

"Follow the directions on the label and use only the amount of product recommended," she said.

In other words, "clean for health first, appearance second," she advised.

Limit the use of aerosol products that tend to release more chemicals into the air, Harris said. Instead, try products that have pump sprays.

And never under any circumstances mix household chemicals or products together, Harris said. That can cause a chemical reaction that releases more toxic chemicals into the air.

"A common example is ammonia and chlorine bleach," she said. "When mixed they will react to form a toxic gas."

Remember, Harris said, "Any product that evaporates into the air has the potential to be an indoor air pollutant."

For more information on indoor air quality, visit Extension's Family and Consumer Sciences Web site at http://fcs.tamu.edu/ and click on the link to "House and Home."
_________________________
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