How to Control Pet Hair and Dander in your Home

How to Control Pet Hair and Dander in your Home

Do you suffer from itchy eyes, red eyes and respiratory problems? This can all be a result of pet allergies. Pet hair and dander can cause many pet allergy symptoms and although you aren’t going to get rid of your four-legged friend, there are some ways you can help control the hair and dander that is in your home. There are two primary ways to help minimize allergens and particles from the pets inside your home.

The first one is easy – get your furnace and ducts cleaned regularly to instantly remove up to 60% of the airborne allergens, hair and dandruff in your home.

The second is to develop a routine to keep your pets and home clean and healthy. 

5 Helpful tips to control pet hair and dander:

  • Brush your pets outside: Pet hair is the perfect host for dander and dirt. Regularly grooming your dog outside will help reduce the amount of hair and dander that enters your home.
  • Bathe your pets often: Bathing your pet once a week will help reduce the amount of dirt and dander they bring into your home. Purchasing an extendable showerhead can make this process a lot easier with minimal mess. It is also helpful to wash your pet’s paws after being outside.
  • Purchase your pet their own furniture: Having a designated area for your pets to sleep or not allowing them on your bed, will help reduce hair and dander in your room and avoid breathing in allergens that trigger your allergies.
  • Vacuum often: Pet hair and dander can stay on surfaces for months, which is why it is important to vacuum regularly. It is important to find a vacuum that will capture pet dander and hair and not shoot smaller particles back into the air.
  • Purchase the right air purifier: Air purifiers have become extremely helpful when it comes to reducing pet allergy flare-ups. Purifiers are 3x better than the common HEPA filtration and can capture not only pet dander but also dust, mold, and other bacteria.

Following these tips and having proper air filtration, will be a huge help in subsiding your allergies this summer!

If you have pets and haven’t had your furnace and duct cleaning system cleaned recently, get the experts from Klean King booked today.

Book your furnace and duct cleaning today.

The Importance of Bird Control Around Commercial Buildings

We have all been excited when we notice a bird’s nest in our yard, however, these nests can quickly become a nuisance and dangerous especially around commercial buildings.

Other than the obvious chirping nuisance, birds carry pathogens that can be dangerous to humans. They also leave behind droppings that can cause health conditions and even ruin the paint on building structures. Additionally, when nests are built, they can be placed in dangerous places such as ventilation vents and near electrical appliances. If you are a commercial building owner, controlling birds is a must and we are here to give you some tips!

Tips to help you control birds around commercial buildings:

  1. Set Up Traps: Setting up traps is an inexpensive way to control nesting. The “Bob” trap is commonly used and allows for birds to walk in but not out.
  2. Make it Hard For Them to Nest: The easiest way to deter birds away from your building is to make it hard for them to stay and nest. This could include setting up barriers such as porcupine wire on rafters or using chemicals like tactile bird spray to discourage birds from staying around.
  3. Do Not Allow Access: An obvious tip is to not allow access in the first place. This will include using protective covers around your vents, repairing broken windows, and closing any areas large enough for a bird to make itself inside.
  4. Use Lethal Means: This should always be a last resort option for building owners. Calling a professional bird control service can help you fix any bird control problems with fast solutions.

Stay Proactive!

After following these tips, it is important to stay proactive to help deter any bird infestations in the future.

Birds will always try to use building structures in some shape or form, but by being proactive you can lower the chances of any future problems. If you have had nesting or other bird activity inside an intake or exhaust duct, proper cleaning can remove any contaminates and clean out these vital parts of your building’s climate control system – ensuring clean and healthy air inside for the occupants.

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It’s Spring. Pollen is legit. Here’s how to allergy-proof your home.

After a long and harsh winter, spring is finally here! While we all start our spring cleaning and preparing for summer, it is important to remember to clean out your air ducts and furnace! Allergy season is upon us and regular cleanings are crucial for eliminating a variety of toxins and contaminants from within your air ducts and home. Here are a few tips on how to allergy-proof your home!

  1. Replace Air Filter: Changing your home air filter helps keep optimal air quality and keeps your HVAC unit running smoothly. Over the winter, your air filter can trap pet hair and dust that can cause air to not properly filter. This can cause allergies and respiratory issues, as well as a breakdown of your HVAC unit.
  2. Vacuum Regularly: Having a weekly cleaning routine is key to keeping allergens in your home low. It is important to find the right vacuum, preferably one with a HEPA filter.
  3. Clean Bedrooms and Living Rooms: Your bedroom and living room are where you spend most of your time, so it is important to clean these spaces. Dust mites are often found in bedding and mattresses. We suggest cleaning your bedding regularly and purchasing high-quality dust-mite-proof pillowcases and mattress covers. Another tip is to clean surfaces in your living room and any lounging blankets.
  4. Install Ventilation in your Bathroom: Using a ventilation fan while showering or bathing will help keep the humidity of your home low. This will help decrease mold growth and dust mites.

Follow these tips this spring to allergy-proof your home!

It is also important to note that having your furnace and ductwork professionally cleaned is one of the best ways to ensure you have clean air in your home. It also helps those with asthma, COPD and other lung and breathing conditions.

Book your furnace and duct cleaning today.

 

Article and image sourced from SciTech Daily

Air duct cleaning and the effects of indoor air pollution

Indoor air pollution is a key contributor to disease among children. Children, with developing respiratory systems are more vulnerable to dust particles, allergens and other airborne toxins that are emitted from everything from paint to plastics to household dust and mold spores that accumulate inside our homes.

Some of the most common sources of indoor air pollution include:

Secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke is a complex mixture of chemical compounds, many of which are considered carcinogenic and are harmful to all people, but especially children. In fact, the vaporized compounds in secondhand smoke can be more harmful than those in firsthand smoke.

Heating Pollutants

In Canada, our homes are primarily heated with safe heating appliances, such as furnaces burning natural gas or propane, but these “safe” appliances are only safe if they are in proper working order. Things like cracked heat exchangers, other damaged components or improper venting can all lead to health hazards from these appliances.

Dust accumulation leads to hot spots on the heat exchanger, which can lead to cracks, damage and the release of carbon monoxide. There are a couple practices to help ensure the safety of a home’s occupants in regards to heating pollutants. The first is to have properly maintained and non-expired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed on each floor of a home. The second is to ensure that the furnace is regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure dust doesn’t build up and that no visible damage or stress has occurred.

Exterior sources

If you have an attached garage, it is important to ensure that the doorway between the garage and home is properly sealed. If a vehicle, heater or other combusting appliance is run in the garage, the possibility for carbon monoxide and other exhaust gases to be present is always there. A properly installed exterior door with weather stripping and double acting hinges can ensure a proper seal between the door and the inside of the house!

Interior dust and mold accumulation

The accumulation and circulation of interior dust, allergen, mold spores and other particles can also be particularly harmful for children who suffer from prolonged exposure. Increases in the development of allergies, and increased risk and frequency of asthma attacks can both be attributed to indoor air pollution caused by dust and allergens.

Paying attention to indoor air pollution causes and minimizing risk and exposure through regular household cleaning as well as regular furnace and duct cleaning is one of the best ways to minimize exposure to harmful developmental respiratory problems in a home.

To request a free furnace cleaning quote or book your cleaning and inspection.

To learn more about furnace and duct cleaning contact us today.

What are the causes of indoor air pollution?

Indoor air pollution can cause serious health problems and is often something we overlook in our lifestyle. In this article, we will explore some of the more common causes of indoor air pollution and ways to remedy them.

Almost every home has some sources that lead to indoor air pollution, and one of the best ways to maintain clean air inside your home is with a proper cleaning routine that includes furnace and duct cleaning.

This important cleaning step, combined with practical management of some of the hazards outlined below, can help make your home healthy and safe for all the occupants.

The Effects of Dampness and Mold on Indoor Air Pollution.

Dampness and mold can promote the release of mold spores into the air. These can lead to long-term health conditions, some of which could develop into chronic conditions. One common household mold is called aspergillus, which grows on dusty and powdery food items like flour. It can cause a wide variety of conditions, from mild irritation to serious chronic diseases like asthma.

If you think you have mold or moisture problems, get an expert to deal with it. If you feel your home is damp but not moldy, it is a good idea to run your bathroom fans, especially during or after shower and bath time, and to open your windows to let your home breathe and dry out if the humidity level is lower outside.

If you live in a rental property, there are rules and regulations to keep tenants safe. Consult your family doctor and local tenant board if you think you have medical concerns from your rented property.

Heating and Cooking in the Home

In Canada, we don’t cool or heat our homes with wood or coal, so we’ll skip to gas. Burning gas can create tiny particles of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide into the air. If you use a gas burning stove, it is advisable to ensure that you are using the exhaust fan and have a well-ventilated home. When the proper precautions are taken, these stoves do not have any practical air pollution concerns.

Another precaution is to ensure that gas connections for your gas cooking appliances are properly installed and inspected.

Electric heat through traditional burners or induction is often considered the cleanest source of heat. One thing to be aware of is burned off particulate matter from burning oils. These and other burned particulates can be a source of indoor air pollution.

Candles and Incense

These common household items seem very innocent, but in reality, they release harmful particles and pollutants as they burn. Burning incense has been linked to lung disease, so try and avoid these if possible. Burning candles result in significantly lower risk, but some fragranced candles can release harmful VOCs while they are burning. It is always good to have a well-ventilated home or an open window while burning candles.

Regular Household Dust

Regular dust circulating around the home also contributes to airborne pollution. The good news about dust is it’s easy to deal with. Regular cleaning can help reduce the amount of dust in your home by over half, and combined with regular furnace and duct cleaning, you can reduce it by an additional 30%!

How to Minimize Exposure:

The best way to minimize exposure to indoor air pollutants is to have a regular cleaning routine, and avoid the obvious hazards. Not allowing secondhand smoke, reducing the amount of burning incense, reducing perfume and aerial sprays, will all help reduce the amount of airborne contaminants significantly.

A regular cleaning routine of dusting and vacuuming, combined with a regular furnace and duct cleaning, is the best way to keep everyone in your home healthy. Curious about the effects of a good clean? We are offering free air tests with every furnace and duct cleaning booking for a limited time, so you can see just how many contaminants are no longer a threat to you and your family.