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Why floor cleaning is important for your health

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Sonoma Valley Sun

Most people include cleaning the floor as part of the daily or weekly household chores, and while this should always be a part of your household cleaning regime, many people do not fully understand why it is important to have cleaned floors.

So, why should we have clean floors?

Safety

Contaminated floors are often the cause of accidents. When foodstuff has been spilled and not cleaned right away it will become sticky. It becomes easy to trip and then fall on areas where there are sticky patches. Warehouse floor cleaning is also important.

Accidents will be more likely to take place when people walk in the dark, such as going to the toilet. Proper cleaning removes the hazard and so prevents accidents.

Virus control

Bugs and bacteria love dirt and darkness. Having floors that are not kept clean means that bacteria will thrive and multiply. Bugs will take advantage and start to inhabit the area, and there is a greatly increased chance of catching a disease from this. If you have ever been in to the doctor’s waiting room, you will notice that the floors and surfaces are immaculately clean to stop the spread of diseases to the many patients who arrive each day.

Aesthetically pleasing

If you walk into a room and you see the dust and dirt on the floor, you may be less likely to want to visit there again. To most people, a build-up of dust and dirt on the floors shows that the home is not cared for. A clean room is far more welcoming than a dusty room with dirty floors.

Helps with allergies

Many people suffer from allergies, with dust and pollen allergies being among the worst culprits. Additionally, pet dander is a well-known problem for anyone who suffers from allergies. Many pets shed their hair during the warmer months, and it is not uncommon to find furballs under sofas and beds. These dust balls will aggravate the asthmas sufferer even more, so if you have anyone in the household who has respiratory problems, then having a clean floor is the first step to making their breathing better.

Prevents cross-contamination

Very often the bag you take out of the trashcan to empty will leak some fluid onto the floor. If this is not wiped up right away it may help to contaminate other items which are set down there after the bag has been removed. Often bin bags contain the juices from meat or vegetables we have thrown away so any liquid will already have bacteria growing in it. If our pets step in it and then lick their feet, they may become ill.

What do we use to keep the floors clean?

There are several ways to keep floors spotlessly clean. All of them will work, although some are more effective than others. Consider your own health and fitness before buying any floor cleaning equipment.

It is also important to consider how dirty the floors are and how often they need to be cleaned. A passage where several people and dogs use frequently may need to be cleaned every day, while a corridor that is only used once a week, maybe left for that time before cleaning again.

Carpeted floors also need to be cleaned frequently as dust and dirt build-up between the fibers. Any spills will create a place for germs and bacteria to multiply.

Carpet cleaners should contain a HEPA filtration system that traps spores and dust particles and removes them from the fibers of the carpet. Dan Dan the Carpet Man provides professional, effective and reliable Orlando carpet cleaning services that truly deliver.

Tiles and wooden floor cleaners

There are several ways to clean a wood or tiles floor.

Mop and bucket

It is a good idea to think about your own health here as mopping a large floor every day can be a strenuous job. The mop head needs to be replaced frequently so that it does not harbor germs and bacteria. The floor should be swept first so that the dust and debris are not simply spread to another area of the floor.

Buckets should be kept clean. They need to be washed out after every use and stored away dry.

Mops heads should also not be stored wet, they should be dry before you put them into a cupboard, otherwise they will start to smell damp.

Squeegees

Again, the floor needs to be swept first before you use the squeegee. The floor should also be clean and free from spills before you start otherwise you will be spreading the spill around the floor. A squeegee is a sponge that folds in half and squeezes the water out after you have mopped the floor. Squeegees will remove excess water, so they come in handy for that.

Vacuum cleaners

There are several good vacuum cleaners on the market that also clean solid floors. They are a good idea particularly if they come with nozzles so that you can suck up any dirt in corners and tight places where it is difficult to get a mop in.

If possible, you should get one that does not have a bag. Not only do they have to be replaced frequently, but they can burst of you overfill them. There are several ones available which are bagless and can be emptied by just pressing a button.

Floor scrubber machines

Some of these machines are enormous, so think about the size of the floors you want to keep clean and buy one that suits the area. You will need to be able to maneuver it around the corners and behind the sofa, so don’t get one that it enormous, just because it is cheap. Some of the best floor scrubbers also polish and wax floors so if you have a wooden floor you may think about this option.

Things to consider with a floor scrubber machine are the size as well as the noise levels. If you live in an apartment where your neighbors are easily annoyed, then using a floor scrubber each day will annoy them even more.

There are some floor scrubbers which are only suitable for vinyl flooring, and others which are good for any solid floor. All of them exert a good amount of pressure onto the floor and some can get into
corners easier than others.

Some floor scrubbers are battery charged, while others come with a cord and need to be plugged into a socket. A floor scrubber is not the lightest of floor cleaning equipment, although it is probably the one that does the best job. Sometimes you can rent them from places and just use them once a month when you feel your floor needs a deep clean.

To sum up

It is essential to have a clean floor, particularly if you have children who crawl on it and then put their fingers into their mouths. It is also important for anyone suffering from respiratory problems.

Before you buy any floor cleaning method, decide what you need it for, how often you will use it, and whether it can be stored out of the way when you are done.

Once you have bought your floor cleaning device, make sure that after you have cleaned the floors, you also clean the machine before putting it away.




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