Nikis Cleaning Services in Portland

Fresh air is essential for good health, and keeping your Portland home clean is a major

part of what makes life comfortable. Sure, it can be hard to motivate yourself to clean,

but a sparkling home reduces allergy symptoms, relieves stress, lessens the spread of

germs, and keeps the bugs at bay.

With these six tips for purifying the air, you’ll breathe easier and enjoy thehttps://www.ahchealthenews.com/2016/06/06/staying-fit-cleaning-house/" target="_blank"> benefits of a

https://www.ahchealthenews.com/2016/06/06/staying-fit-cleaning-house/" target="_blank">clean home.

1. Filter Your Indoor Air

Indoor air contains pollutants from household products, especially those emitting https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs#:~:text=Contact%20Us-,What%20are%20volatile%20organic%20compounds%20(VOCs)%3F,paints%2C%20pharmaceuticals%2C%20and%20refrigerants" target="_blank">volatile

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs#:~:text=Contact%20Us-,What%20are%20volatile%20organic%20compounds%20(VOCs)%3F,paints%2C%20pharmaceuticals%2C%20and%20refrigerants" target="_blank">organic compounds. VOCs are carbon-based substances that vaporize at room

temperature to flow into the atmosphere. Commercial air purifiers that draw dust into

cleanable or replaceable filters are available in different sizes and price ranges.

You can now https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/11/23/new-app-helps-people-track-air-pollution-in-portland-which-is-among-the-top-25-cities-with-the-most-short-term-particulate-pollution/" target="_blank">track Portland’s air quality with an app on your mobile phone. This is

especially helpful when choosing the right kind of purification products for your home.

Well-maintained air cleaners help to eliminate spores, dust, and pollen floating through

the air. Sorry, you'll still have to dust the furniture yourself.

2. Add Some Air-Purifying Plants

The right kind of indoor greenery is the perfect way to freshen up your home.

Remove indoor chemicals such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from

the air by placing absorbent plants like English Ivy, aloe vera, spider and snake plants,

bamboo, and peace lilies around the house.

Jasmine, lavender, and gardenias offer sweet yet mild scents for the bedrooms.

3. Garden Indoors and Out

Hydroponic gardens are a popular and resourceful way to breathe new life into stale

household air. Indoor gardening takes as much – or as little – space as you need.

Herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and leafy plants produce pleasant aromas throughout their

growing cycles.

https://www.lawnstarter.com/portland-or-lawn-care/native-plants-portland-or" target="_blank">Trillium, yellow monkeyflower, and penstemon look nice in your landscape. But these

Oregon native plants won’t work so well indoors unless you can duplicate the

environment and climate of the outdoors all year long.

4. Check Your HVAC STAT

Cleaning the duct system and replacing filters from furnaces and air conditioners allow

purer air to flow through your home.

Heating maintenance includes checking for leaks, clogs, crusty residue, and corrosion.

But cleaning the furnace and air conditioner is not for amateurs. If you’re not a Handy-

Andy (or Annie), do not DIY. Instead, call a professional.

5. Go Smoke-Free Indoors

For a fresh living space, keep smoke out of the house. Secondhand https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/Dangers-of-Secondhand-Smoke.aspx#:~:text=Secondhand%20smoke%20" target="_blank">smoke from cigars,

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/Dangers-of-Secondhand-Smoke.aspx#:~:text=Secondhand%20smoke%20" target="_blank">pipes, and cigarettes contains about 4,000 chemicals.

Smoke settles into clothing, carpets, bedding, and upholstery.

Smoke from wood-burning fireplaces may be a pleasant distraction – for a while. But

once the flames burn out, smoldering embers leave their lingering (and not-so-peasant)

scent for days on end.

6. Simplify Your Air Cleaning Products

These simple products can freshen up the rooms of your home.

● Bamboo charcoal filters remove toxins from the air, as well as allergens,

pollutants, bacteria, and moisture.

● Himalayan salt lamps release negative ions that reduce pollutants.

● Essential oils like cinnamon, thyme, rosemary, and oregano draw germs out of

the air. Soft scents of lemon, tea, cloves, and grapefruit help kill mold, fungi, and

bacteria.

● Beeswax candles burn slowly and don’t emit much smoke. They release negative

ions to eliminate dust and pet dander.

A Clean Home is a Happy Home

Cleaning is a time-consuming chore, but it can be quite satisfying, especially when you

DON’T do it yourself. Niki’s Cleaning Service is ready to help by professionally cleaning

your home from top to bottom. Call 503-593-0474 today for an appointment.

Teri Meyer is a health writer and self-described germaphobe. She writes for several

national publications, offering tips on keeping offices and homes germ-free.