Most Common Allergens in the Home

Spring is allergy season, but it’s not just the outdoors you have to worry about. Often times, the worst allergy triggers could be hiding right under your nose.

Here are six of the most common allergens you might find in your home:

• Dust. The average three-bedroom household generates about 40 pounds of dust every year. Much of this dust can collect in your air ducts, where it can quickly circulate throughout the home.

• Dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic insects which thrive on dust. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, dust mites are the most common trigger of allergy and asthma symptoms. They are most frequently found in pillows, bed sheets, and carpets.

• Pet dander. Pet dander is tiny flakes of skin shed by animals. Pet dander can come from virtually any pet with fur or feathers, including dogs, cats, rodents, and birds. It is estimated that up to 30% of people with allergies can be triggered by pet dander.

• Pollen. You probably already know that pollen is a common allergen, but you may not realize its prevalence indoors. Pollen can enter the home through open windows and doors, or by sticking to your clothing, shoes, or pets.

• Mold. Mold can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, making it a common allergen in the home. Mold is most commonly found in damp, humid areas such as the bathroom, basements, attics, crawl spaces, and air ducts.

• Cigarette smoke. Though not a traditional allergen, the chemicals found in cigarette smoke are known to trigger asthma and allergies. These chemicals can linger around the home for weeks after the smoking has ceased, a phenomenon known as thirdhand smoke.

Is your Long Island home harboring any of these allergens? Let GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration remove them. We offer professional air duct cleaning, attic and crawl space cleaning, and mold removal services to homes in Nassau and Suffolk County. Visit our website to learn more, or call (631) 940-8100.

Get a Head Start on Spring Allergies

Spring will be here before you know it, and so will those pesky allergies. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so get a head start on your allergies by taking these basic steps:

• Start taking your allergy medication now. If you wait until you start feeling symptoms to start taking your allergy medicine, it’s already too late. Start taking it regularly now so it is at full strength by the time peak allergy season rolls around.

• Give your home a thorough spring cleaning. Triggers inside the house, such as dust and chemicals, can worsen allergy symptoms. A good spring cleaning can remove most of these contaminants from your home.

• Bathe your pets regularly. Millions of Americans are allergic to pet dander, not to mention the other allergens that animals can harbor in their fur. Regularly bathing your pets will keep them clean and keep your nose clear.

• Find and eliminate any mold in your home. Mold is a common allergy trigger that can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present. Know where to look for mold in your home, and call a professional mold removal service if you find any.

• Invest in a HEPA air purification system. HEPA filters are the most effective at removing airborne pollutants. Investing in one of these for your home can significantly lessen your allergy symptoms.

• Have your air ducts professionally cleaned. Your air ducts have been collecting dust all winter; you don’t want it circulating through your home all spring. A professional duct cleaning service can effectively remove these allergens from your ducts.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional air duct cleaning and mold removal services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us to get started with a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

6 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air pollution has been linked to several short- and long-term health problems, and it affects more homes than you might think. Avoid these six common mistakes to keep the air in your home clean and healthy:

1. Smoking indoors.

News flash: smoking is bad for you. It’s not just firsthand and secondhand smoke, either. The toxic particles in cigarette smoke can stick around your home long after the cigarette has been put out, a phenomenon known as thirdhand smoke.

2. Using high-VOC products.

Home products such as paint, adhesives, and even cleaning products have been known to emit volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which have been linked to cancer. Look for “no VOC” labels when purchasing these types of products.

3. Lack of ventilation.

Indoor air pollution is usually higher than outdoor air pollution because the airborne contaminants are confined to a small area. Improving the ventilation in your home gives harmful particles a place to escape, and can help prevent mold by controlling humidity levels.

4. Using air fresheners.

Wait a second, don’t air fresheners freshen the air? Contrary to popular belief, no. According to the NRDC, most store-bought aerosol sprays contain dangerous phthalates, even those labeled as “all natural”.

5. Not having any houseplants.

Houseplants aren’t just for decoration, certain types of plants can naturally improve air quality by filtering out harmful particles. Not all plants are created equal, though. Among the best air purifiers are the snake plant, peace lily, and english ivy.

6. Neglecting your air ducts.

Your home’s air ducts are a common hiding spot for allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold. Once these particles enter your air ducts, they can spread throughout your entire home. A professional air duct cleaning is the best way to keep your ducts clear of contaminants.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Four Common Allergens During the Fall Months

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may think the worst is behind you. It's not. Even though spring and summer months get a bad reputation for allergies, the fall can be just as grueling. Here are four common allergens to keep your eyes out for this season.

• Ragweed. Ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger during this time of year, with peak season lasting from late summer to mid-autumn. More than 75% of people allergic to spring plants are also allergic to ragweed. Just one ragweed plant can produce more than 1 billion pollen grains per season, and they can travel up to 400 miles in the wind.

• Mold. Mold can grow inside all year long, but it thrives outdoors during the fall months. Since mold is usually found in cool, damp environments, piles of wet leaves provide an ideal breeding ground. Mold produces tiny, microscopic spores which are easily inhaled and can cause a variety of allergic reactions.

• Dust Mites. Did you know that the average three-bedroom home produces more than 40 pounds of dust per year? Much of this dust collects in your HVAC ducts, and can be stirred into the air the first time you turn on your furnace in the fall.

• Pet Dander. Cats, dogs, and virtually all other pets produce dander – small flakes of dead skin that are known to cause allergic reactions. It is estimated that up to 40% of people with seasonal allergies also suffer from pet allergies. Wash and groom your pets regularly to minimize your risk of an allergic reaction, and keep them away from your bed and air vents.

All of these allergens (and more) could be present inside of your home right now, hiding in your air ducts. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, a professional air duct cleaning can remove these contaminants and alleviate your symptoms.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers comprehensive air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, call us today for a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

Why You Should Test Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

When was the last time you had your home's air quality tested? If it's been a while (or never), you should have it done as soon as possible. Here are three reasons why...

Winter is approaching.

What does the upcoming cold season have to do with your indoor air quality? For one, owners will be sealing air leaks around their home in an effort to prevent heat loss. While this does help keep your home warmer, it also prevents pollutants from escaping to the outside, leading to higher concentrations of contaminants in your home. The cold weather also means we will be using our heating equipment, which can emit harmful gases. Combine this with the fact that we will be spending more time indoors, and it is clear to see why the winter season is the most important in terms of maintaining indoor air quality.

There could be harmful pollutants that you are not aware of.

There are many sources of indoor air pollution in most of our homes. Most of these sources disguise themselves as everyday goods that we think are completely safe. Products such as cleaning agents, air fresheners, candles, pesticides, and carpets could all be filling your home with dangerous toxins.

Indoor air pollution can have devastating health effects.

If you think indoor air pollution is no big deal, think again. In the short-term, exposure to indoor air pollution can cause allergic-like reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. But the long-term health effects it can have are much, much worse. Indoor air pollution has been linked to health problems such as lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections, and more.

If you live on Long Island, trust the indoor air quality experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to leave your home as clean and healthy as possible. We offer a variety of non-toxic cleaning services that are 100% safe for the environment and your family. Visit our website to learn more, or call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

What You Don't See CAN Hurt You

Carbon monoxide has long been dubbed “the invisible killer”, but it's not the only toxin that could unknowingly be lurking in your home's air.

Indoor air pollution is a very serious risk that affects more than 90% of North American homes; and most people don't even realize it. Continue reading below to learn about the dangers of indoor air pollution, and what you can do to prevent it...

What is indoor air pollution?

Indoor air pollution is just what it sounds like – polluted air inside of your home. Many people think air pollution is exclusive to outside, but the air indoors could be much worse. In fact, it's not uncommon for household air to be up to 10x more polluted than the air in a major city.

What are the dangers of indoor air pollution?

Indoor air pollution has been linked to several health problems: both immediate and long-term. Short-term health effects of indoor air pollution mimic allergies, and include sneezing, coughing, headaches, and dizziness. Long-term affects are much more severe, as indoor air pollution has been linked to lung cancer, heart disease, and COPD. You can learn more about the health effects of indoor air pollution by clicking here.

What causes indoor air pollution?

Many household products contribute to indoor air pollution – even ones you think are completely safe. Some common sources of indoor air pollution include cleaning products, paint, new carpeting, hardwood flooring and cabinetry, candles, heating equipment, and ironically, air fresheners.

What can you do to improve the air quality in your home?

There are many steps you can take for better indoor air quality, but these are some of the most effective:

• Invest in a HEPA air filter.
• Swap out commercial cleaning products for natural ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar.
• Control your humidity levels to prevent mold.
• Stock up on these house plants, which can naturally remove harmful particles from the air.
• Have your air ducts professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers a variety of services to help you improve your home's air quality. Some of our work includes air duct cleaning, crawl space and attic cleaning, and mold removal. If you live on Long Island, call us for a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

What You Need to Know About Indoor Air Pollution

We often hear about the dangers of pollution, but many of us are under the impression that this only applies to outdoor air. The truth is, the air in our homes can be just as polluted – or worse – than major cities. Here are a few things you need to know about indoor air pollution.

Indoor air pollution is a common problem in homes across North America.

The EPA tested the air quality of homes across North America, and the results were disturbing. A whopping 96% of homes examined had at least one indoor air quality problem, meaning the issue is more prevalent than most of us are aware of. Chances are, unless you are taking specific steps to minimize pollution in your home, your air could be up to 10 times more polluted than even the dirtiest of cities.

Indoor air pollution can negatively impact your health.

Indoor air pollution has several undesirable health effects – in both the short-term and the long run. Immediate side effects of indoor air pollution mimic those of allergies: including sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Long-term health effects are much worse, as indoor air pollution has been linked to various cancers, heart disease, and COPD.

Indoor air pollution is caused by everyday products.

Seemingly harmless products are one of the main contributors to household air pollution. Common culprits include commercial cleaning products, candles, heating equipment, paint, carpets, hardwood floors and cabinetry, furniture, and (ironically) air fresheners. It is important to know what products contribute to indoor air pollution so you can remove them from your home.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers a variety of cleaning solutions to help promote better indoor air quality in homes across Long Island. Some of our services include air duct cleaning, mold removal, attic cleaning, and crawl space cleaning. Whether you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

How Indoor Air Pollution Affects Your Health

You may know about the air pollution problem, but what you don't know is that it is happening right inside of your own home. In fact, your home's air may be up to ten times more polluted than even the dirtiest of cities. If you think it's no big deal, think again. Read below to discover how indoor air pollution can affect your health.

Short-Term Health Effects

If you are exposed to indoor air pollutants, you may begin to feel the effects within a very short period of time. The severity of these symptoms can greatly vary based on factors such as age, gender, preexisting medical conditions, and individual sensitivity.

Most of the time, these immediate effects can be confused for allergies. The symptoms basically are the same, and can include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Indoor air pollution can also trigger symptoms from other diseases, such as asthma. In order to determine whether your symptoms are caused by poor indoor air quality or actually being sick, it is important to pay attention to the time and place they occur.

The best way to treat symptoms is by identifying and eliminating your exposure to the source of pollution.

Long-Term Health Effects

It's not just the immediate effects you have to worry about. Years of exposure to bad indoor air quality can lead to some pretty serious health complications down the road. While further research is needed to better understand the specifics, indoor air pollution is being linked to various heart diseases, respiratory diseases, and certain forms of cancer. You can see why it is important to improve the air quality in your home, even if symptoms aren't yet noticeable.

One little-known source of indoor air pollution is your air ducts, which could be harboring dust, mold, pet dander, and other harmful pollutants. Experts recommend having your home's ducts cleaned every 3-5 years in order to remove these contaminants.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. Our methods have been tested and proven to be 100% environmentally-safe. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Homemade Air Freshener Ideas

Air fresheners have become a household staple, and for a good reason. They are effective at removing unpleasant odors from the bathroom, kitchen, and anywhere else in the home.

Unfortunately, they are also a huge health hazard. The National Resources Defense Council conducted an independent testing for 14 different air fresheners, and found that over 85% of them contained phthalates – even those labeled as “all natural”.

Phthalates are linked to health problems such as hormonal imbalances, birth defects, reproductive issues, and more. Air fresheners are marketed to create a clean, healthy home, but actually do the opposite.

Use these real all natural air-freshening remedies instead:

Cinnamon and fruit

Who doesn't love the smell of fresh fruit or a nice cinnamon fragrance? Why not make your whole home smell like this? Fill up a small saucepan ¾ of the way with water and put it on the stove. When it begins to boil, turn it down to a simmer and throw in a couple of cinnamon sticks and a few slices of your favorite fruit – such as apples or oranges. Let it sit for a delicious aroma.

DIY baking soda jars

Baking soda has been used for decades to absorb smells inside of refrigerators, and it can do the same for the different rooms of your home. Grab a few jars, pour in half a cup of baking soda, and add in some of your favorite scented oils. Poke a few holes in the lid and scatter them throughout your home. Replace as needed.

Light a match

If you are looking for a quick, effective way to eliminate your bathroom odors, just keep a matchbox handy. While it might not smell as delicious as the alternatives, it is a good way to remove even the strongest of odors from your bathroom.

Air fresheners aren't the only thing polluting your home's air. Other sources of contamination include cleaning products, paint, and even your air ducts. GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers air duct cleaning services for homes and businesses on Long Island. Call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Indoor Air Quality: Do's & Don'ts

Indoor air quality is just what it sounds like, and it is a growing concern across the country. Many people don't realize it, but the air in their homes, schools, and offices is usually more polluted than the dirtiest of cities.

Indoor air pollution is linked to all sorts of health problems such as respiratory infections, asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. Fortunately, plenty of information exists on what you should and should not do to improve indoor air quality in your home.

These six do's and don'ts should help get you started:

• Do decorate with more plants. NASA conducted a study in the 1980s that found that some houseplants can naturally filter out toxins from the air. If you are looking to purify your air, these five plants are the ones should get.

• Don't burn candles. Think candles are safe? Think again. Not only do they cause more than 9,000 fires per year, they also release carcinogens into the air when burned.

• Do dust and vacuum regularly. Dusting and vacuuming is a good way to keep your indoor allergies in check. Make sure to use a microfiber cloth when you dust, they are specially designed to trap particles.

• Don't use commercial cleaning supplies. Most commercial cleaning products, even ones marked as “all natural”, actually contain dangerous chemicals. Opt for homemade cleaning solutions made from vinegar and baking soda instead.

• Do control your moisture levels. Keep your windows open when the weather permits, and use exhaust fans to remove excess moisture in the air. Failure to do so can lead to mold growth.

• Don't neglect your air ducts. Usually an afterthought for homeowners, the air ducts in your home could be harboring contaminants such as dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander. These pollutants can use your ducts as a transportation system to circulate throughout your entire home.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration provides high-quality duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. All of our cleaning products and procedures are 100% eco-friendly and we have rave reviews online. Call us at (631) 940-8100 for a free quote.

What You Can Do To Reverse Household Air Pollution

Let's do a quick breathing exercise. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

If you were sitting in your home or office while doing this, chances are you just inhaled all sorts of toxins and pollutants. Many people are not aware of indoor air pollution, but the truth is the air in most of our homes is dirtier than even the worst of cities.

According to the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution is linked to illnesses such as pneumonia, heart disease, COPD, lung cancer, and many others. On the bright side, there are plenty of ways to purify the air in your home. Here are some things you can try.

Lose the Shoes

Do you know what's on the bottom of your shoes? If you wear them around the house, you are tracking dirt, pesticides, and all other kinds of nasty stuff into your home. Place door mats at all of your entrances and implement a “no shoes” policy.

Invest in a HEPA Filter

Installing a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) air filter in your home can greatly improve your air quality. A filter can only qualify for the HEPA name if it has been tested and proven to eliminate at least 99.97% of the particles from the air.

Clean Your Critters

If you have pets, especially cats and dogs, their hair and dander could be adding to the pollution in your home. Keep them clean by regularly bathing, brushing, and grooming them, and frequently washing their bedding in hot water.

Improve Ventilation

One of the main reasons that the air in your home is so bad is because toxins are emitted from everyday household goods (such as cleaning products) and have nowhere to escape to. Improving your ventilation can help with that. Always keep your exterior doors and windows open when the weather permits.

Mitigate the Mold

Mold is more than a gross fungus – it is harmful to your health. Mold can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, including your basement, bathroom, and walls and ceilings with leaks. If you spot mold growing in your home, have it professionally removed immediately.

Mold removal is a dangerous process, and trying to do it yourself exposes you to health hazards. For the safety of your home and yourself, it is best to leave it to a trained professional. If you live on Long Island, call GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration at (631) 940-8100.