Tips for Spring Cleaning

The tradition of spring cleaning may have begun long ago when people used to spend the winter living in the same building as their animals, so a spring clean was needed when the weather turned nice and when the ani- mals went outside. Different cultures clean their homes in anticipation of the new year (which occurs shortly after our new year) and to get rid of bad luck and misfortune that may have accumulated during the pre- vious year. It could be we are exposed to more sunlight which gives us more energy. We hope you will find these cleaning tips for people with lung problems helpful!

• Start your task after you have taken your bronchodilators.
• Be realistic. Do one room or part of a room a day and pace yourself through the task.
• Gather all the cleaning products you’ll need and put them in a pail or basket you will be able to carry with you.
• Use instruments and tools that make household cleaning easier and less stren- uous – like lightweight vacuums and long-handled Make sure your vacuum has a filter on it so you don’t inhale the dust. Use pursed lip breathing when doing the task!
• Have your windows open when you clean for ventilation.
• Avoid using strong scented Use non-toxic natural cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar. For an all-purpose household cleaner, mix one teaspoon liquid soap, one teaspoon baking soda and one quart of warm water.

• If you spray water on the bottom of your broom when you sweep, the dust and animal hair will stick to it rather than filling the air for a chance to be inhaled. A damp cloth for dusting does the same thing.
• A mop is good for wiping down walls.
• Replacing carpeting with tile or wood floors makes it easier to keep clean. Blinds can also be dust collectors.
• Use a long-handled dust pan to avoid bending over after you sweep, as well as long handled sponges to clean the bathtub.
• Moisture breeds bacteria and mold. Make sure you do not have any water leaks in your shower or basement and replace your sponges and dish rags frequently. Every homeowner should own a hygrometer that measures tem- perature and relative humidity (RH). The ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is about 40 to 50 In the winter months, it may have to be lower than 40 percent RH to avoid condensation on the windows.
• Many feel that wearing a mask avoids inhaling dust and particles while others feel the mask hinders their The choice is yours! You can get inex- pensive disposable dust masks on the Internet for about two cents each.
• Have your air ducts cleaned profession- ally to avoid breathing in dust and dirt that accumulates in
• Do not let people smoke in your home.

We display a sign that says. “If you are smoking in this house you had better be on fire!”