Asthma, Allergy And Vacuum Cleaning

Now, at the beginning of 21st century every 4th person in Europe is allergic and every 6th suffers from some form of asthma.

Allergies (allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, eczema, conjuctivitis) usually have one common trigger which is the contact of the person with the allergens (dust mite excrements, pollen, mildew).

Who (what) is to blame?

Sure, the general pollution of the environment is the first and major reason (allergies are considered the civilization deseases and the pollution comes hand in hand with the civilization development) but we can also blame our life-style.

Nowadys, people spend 80% and more of their time inside (their flat, office, restaurant, tube). For our body the (in terms of allergies) most dangerous are the smallest particles (viruses, scigarettes smoke, mite droppings) which circulate in the air and are inhaled (and in such closed spaces like flat/office/tube you exhale them and other people inhale them and vice versa). And also the average temperature in our buildings increased over the last 30 years by 4-5 Celsius degrees offering great living conditions for mites or bacteria.

Wet or dry vacuum cleaning?

In the 1990s, the wet vacuum cleaner producers came with the idea to win the battle with the dry vacuum cleaner producers persuading people that the dry vacuums are unable to catch as much microscopic particles causing allergies as the wet vac cleaners. It seemed logical for people. The wet vacuum cleaner sucks in the dust and the water catches and separates it. But the experimets have shown that the truth is out there and what works for larger particles doesnt work for the smallest ones. Simply, the allergens were circulating in the air in the same amounts no matter if it was before or after the wet vacuuming.

So tell me wet or dry?!

I really am not depreciating the abilities of the wet vacuum cleaner, I only state that water filter is not sufficient if it is the only filter your vacuum cleaner has. If you have a wet vacuum with the additional filters like HEPA, they probably do a great job and you do not have to change them for anything else.

I am allergic, so what vacuum cleaner should I buy?

In my opinion, the one that has Gore-Tex or multi-layer HEPA filter no matter if dry or wet. They both (Gore-Tex and multiple HEPAs) are able to catch 99,99% of the loose dust particles and allergens.

To keep your flat clean it is necessary to vaccum it 3-4 times weekly (or 30-40 times if you have small children, lets say 2-5 years old I am joking, of course), not only the carpets and floors but also the beds, linen and furniture. It is also recommended to get rid of heavy, old curtains, drapery as well as grand-mas teddy bears or other plush toys. The buildings should not be over-heated and over-humidified

Standard flat inner temperature should not exceed 21 Celsius degrees during the days and 19 Celsiuses is enough for nights.

The average humidity should not exceed 50% and it is recommended to ventilate the room at least 2 times daily, in the morning and in the evening (take another sweater or glass of whisky or both and open all windows fully for at least 15 minutes).

If you have an allergic person in your household you should seriously consider the chance of buying an air purifier (not the humidifier, it only humidifies the air without cleaning it). With their performance and low noisiness they are much more effective than the wet vacuum cleaners.

Vilo runs cuple of "home and garden" oriented sites like

7 refrigerators, this roofing shingles related site or 7 vacuum cleaners.

Dealing With An Asthma Allergy
For someone suffering from asthma allergy, it is beneficial to have an idea of what exactly this condition entails, and ways you can prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. Depending on the person and what has caused the asthma, an ast...

Vacuum Cleaner Tune Up
So you vacuum your carpet at least once a week, good. But is your vacuum cleaner up to the task or are you just wasting your time. A vacuum in poor condition will just not get the job done. Read this article and learn how to tune up your vacuum clean...

Central Vacuum Cleaners Advantages
The central vacuum cleaners have several indisputable advantages compared to any other vacuums.The central vac and the indoor air quality The whole central vacuum is a closed system. It contains of a tubing installed in the walls, an engine unit and...

Differences and Similarities Between Allergies and Asthma
Allergies are the most common cause of the inflammation which underlies most asthma particularly in younger sufferers.Allergy rates are on the increase especially in Western countries (compared to people in less affluent rural parts of the world) and...

Do You Understand What Allergy Asthma Means?
If you have both allergies and asthma you suffer from allergy asthma but you do you really understand what it means? Both of these have the ability to make you feel miserable. You might be surprised to find out that allergy induced asthma is actual...

Home Allergy Treatment Is Good First Step
The first step in any allergy treatment is to avoid that which sparks allergic reactions. Depending on the allergy trigger, the treatment needed to overcome the effects will vary, but avoidance is by far the best method of treating any allergy. Many ...

Getting the Best Deal on Carpet Cleaning
Are you looking for a local carpet cleaner to help you restore your carpets? If so, you might be concerned about how to get the best deal on your carpet cleaning. Read this article for a few tips to assure that you do not pay too much for a good Char...

Stop Allergic Reactions With Allergy Relief Denaturing Products
What if you could experience relief from your allergies, starting today? Dust mites and pet allergens that collect inside your house are among the leading causes of allergic diseases. They play a substantial role in triggering allergy and asthma at...

Is All Natural Carpet Cleaning For Me?
Carpet cleaning has changed quite a bit over the last few years. It used to be that you had no choice in carpet cleaning chemicals. They all had petrochemicals and solvents in them. These days you have a choice however. Read this article and get some...

How To Make Your Marble Floors Last Longer
Marble floors can give your home an elegant and luxurious look. They also add a hint of class and sophistication. But marble floors, though they are aesthetically gifted, can be quite demanding when it comes to maintenance.They can be easily stained ...