Current statistics state that 5.4 million people Nationwide suffer from asthma. To put that into perspective: 1 in 11 children suffer, 1 in 12 adults suffer and 1 in 5 Households is home to a sufferer (Asthma UK). This information suggests that you, a family member, or someone you know is currently suffering from asthma.
So, it’s about time we cleared up the myth that surrounds cleaning and how it impacts asthma, the ‘chronic (long term) lung disease’ that so many of us across the UK struggle with on a daily basis (NHLBI).
The common cleaning myth suggests that “over cleaning your house is making your asthma worse”. Whereas, in reality cleaning your home sufficiently reduces or even prevents some of the most prevalent asthma triggers around such as: dust mites, mould, pet hair and cold and flu viruses.
Cleaning controls the residence of and exposure to harmful germs and microbes in the home and it has been proven that ‘deep cleaning [acts] as an effective asthma reduction method’ (Fields Smith, M).
People will often complain that they react to dust mites and ‘as many as 90% of people with asthma are sensitive’ to them (Asthma UK). Dust mites are more susceptible to fabric based areas in rooms such as the lounge and bedrooms, regular dusting could do you the world of good!
Mould on the other hand is mostly found in damp areas, for example the bathroom and kitchen. Cleaning and effectively drying these damp areas of the house will heavily reduce mould spores from developing there and becoming a problematic trigger for asthma.
Health experts have ‘known for some time that colds and flu can raise your risk of having an asthma attack’ (Asthma UK), which makes it even more important we contain the spread of them. Cold and flu viruses are not entirely avoidable and there is a high likelihood for germs to gather on door handles, tables, work tops and other areas that used regularly. However, using antibacterial and cleaning products to thoroughly clean such areas will heavily reduce the risk of the spread and lower the impact of the trigger.
If you think Lemon Fresh Cleans services can help you in relation to this please call one of our team who will be happy to assist https: www.lemonfreshcleans.co.uk/contact-us
References
Asthma UK. (2018). Asthma facts and statistics. Available: https://www.asthma.org.uk/about/media/facts-and-statistics/. Last accessed 20th March 2018.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. (2014). Asthma. Available: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma. Last accessed 20th March 2018.
Fields Smith, M. (2016). Asthma and Carpets - the truth behind the myth. Available: http://worldwidecarpets.co.uk/asthma-carpets-truth-behind-myth/. Last accessed 20th March 2018.
