Beyond its primary function of maintaining a clean home, vacuum cleaners contribute to a healthier living space by reducing allergens, eliminating dust mites, and improving air quality overall.
Clean Air vs. Airborne Particles
Proper air ventilation and filtration can help improve indoor air quality, significantly reducing the transmission of certain viruses, such as COVID-19 or the flu. In addition, it can also help reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies or dust allergies by keeping harmful particles out of the air.
The more air that is exchanged between one’s indoor space and the outdoors, the cleaner the air is considered to be. A few ways that one may go about increasing ventilation include (but are not limited to):
- Opening windows or doors in different areas of the home
- Using a window air conditioner
- Running fans to increase air circulation
Chest Pain Associated with Vacuuming
It was also determined that the type of vacuum had an impact on the severity of the chest pain, although using the right kind of vacuum would not alleviate the symptom entirely. According to the study, the best type of vacuum someone recovering from a heart condition could use is one with power assistance and self-propulsion.
Indoor Air and Potential Health Problems
What many may not realize is that it can also cause health problems/symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals. Many people assume that going indoors will prevent air quality issues. However, this isn’t always the case. Without proper cleaning, ventilation, and maintenance, indoor air quality may be just as polluted, if not more so, than the air outside.
To begin improving your health with a vacuum, you must first understand where all of these health hazards are coming from.
Here are some common culprits:
- Allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, etc.
- Certain household products, such as cleaners, hobby-related products, etc.
- Oil cooked at high temperatures, resulting in indoor smoke.
Flea Control
They are small and can be hard to notice if you aren’t actively searching for them. Once your beloved pet has them, they can be a pain to get rid of.
Proper sanitation is a must in order to disrupt the flea breeding cycle and hinder their reproduction, and vacuuming is a crucial part of this process.
Flea eggs take multiple days to hatch, so frequent and thorough vacuuming sessions with the right kind of vacuum cleaner can remove 15-30% of hatched larvae and 30-60% of unhatched flea eggs. Not only that, but fleas feed on debris trapped in carpets, which can be removed by diligent vacuuming. Without a food source, a flea colony will eventually die out.
Owners of flea-infested pets should pay extra attention to the areas of the home where the pet spends the most time, as these are likely to be the most heavily infested areas.
Defending Against Bed Bugs
Bedbugs are notorious for their resilience and ability to travel, making it crucial for homeowners to adopt preventive measures. Routine vacuuming habits are powerful ally in the battle against bed bugs, helping to curb their spread and maintain a bedbug-free living environment.
Bed bugs often hitch a ride into homes through luggage, used furniture, or clothing. Once introduced, they can quickly multiply, creating a pervasive and challenging infestation.
Regular vacuuming, especially in and around sleeping areas, removes bed bugs and interrupts their reproductive cycle.
Using a vacuum with strong suction and attachments to reach crevices and seams is effective in capturing these elusive pests. By creating a habit of routine vacuuming, people can fortify their defense against bedbugs, fostering a clean and pest-resistant home environment that promotes both physical and mental well-being.
Allergy Control
Left unchecked, they settle onto surfaces and permeate the air we breathe. Herein lies the crucial role of a vacuum cleaner - it diligently eliminates these harmful particles and significantly reduces the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to airborne irritants.
Regular and thorough vacuuming transforms your living space into a healthier environment.
By removing dust, pet dander, and other allergens from carpets, rugs, and upholstery, a vacuum cleaner serves as a proactive defense against respiratory troubles. Minimizing dust mites, whose waste particles can become airborne, reduces the risk of allergic reactions and promotes better indoor air quality. Embracing a routine vacuuming schedule enhances the cleanliness of your home and safeguards your well-being, making it an indispensable practice for anyone who wants to maintain optimal health.