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How Healthy Are Your Window Treatments?
Are Your Window Blinds or Shades Harboring Biological Contaminates?
Did you know that your window blinds and shades can harbor biological contaminates such as bacteria, molds, mildew, human skin cells, nicotine, viruses, pet dander, dust mites, droppings from insect feces and pollen to name a few? While carpets and floors are routinely cleaned and periodically deep cleaned, many home and business owners neglect to clean their window blinds. Air is moved around the windows constantly and allergens are deposited on the window treatments. Allergic reactions can be triggered by biological contaminates as well as infectious illnesses. Some symptoms of health problems caused by these pollutants include breathing problems, sneezing, watery eyes, fever, and coughing, etc. Asthma can be triggered by mold, pet dander, pest droppings and dust mites. These pollutants are airborne and can be distributed through your home, business or recreational environment. It is known that measles, influenza, Tuberculosis, Legionella, chicken pox and staphylococcus infections are transmitted by air. You may be interested in the findings of a school science project conducted by a Pediatrician at a day care center in the Wekiva area. Cultures taken from the walls, floor, tables, chairs, book cases, toys, etc. were analyzed and the blinds were found to be harboring the most germs in the classroom. Why? Because the window blinds were only dusted and not properly cleaned.
General good housekeeping is very important to reduce exposure to biological contaminants, but simply dusting or vacuuming blinds or shades can actually aggravate the problem. If the debris on or in the window treatments is disturbed by dusting or vacuuming, you’ve just spread these allergens. Additionally, hand dusting creates static electricity on the slats or fabric and turns them into dust magnets. The static electricity attracts more dust, dirt and only soils the surface all over again or causes a build-up of allergens. The chemicals in some household cleaning products may damage the finish or fabrics of your blinds as well as remove paint or dyes. Wouldn’t it make more sense to flush the allergens laying on your window treatments out using an environmental friendly wet cleaning method?
For many of today’s window treatment the most effective cleaning technique is the Ultrasonic Cleaning method. Ultrasonic cleaning has been used in the space, electronics, jewelry, medical and automotive industries for decades to safely clean or disinfect many items of all shapes and sizes. Ultrasonic Blind and Shade Cleaning is very popular in other environmentally conscious States. Unfortunately this revolutionary cleaning method for window treatments is hard to find in Florida. It not only improves the indoor air quality of your home or business environment, but also improves the appearance of your window treatments. Ultrasonics is a method of cleaning your blinds and shades through the use of energy created by sound waves. The ultrasonic cleaning tank creates vibrating sound waves in warm water which in turn produce millions of microscopic bubbles that gently remove visible and microscopic dirt particles and germs from an object. These bubbles are so small allowing every crevice and cavity to be cleaned along with removing dirt, mold, mildew, stubborn stains and biological contaminants. The ultrasonic cleaning process breaks the static bond with the aid of a mild biodegradable detergent solution. The blinds/shades are then rinsed to flush any residual soil away and then dried. When properly used, ultrasonic blind and shade cleaning is a fast and yet effective way to deep clean many types of blinds and shades without the harsher handling required to hand scrub or wipe each individual section. It does not scratch, pit or damage items the way conventional cleaning methods can. No dangerous chemicals are involved in the cleaning process. Ultrasonics cleans every surface of the vanes/slats of the blinds, head rail, as well as the cords, strings and wand. Besides the health benefits, such a deep cleaning extends the life of your shades and saves money. If you don’t want to replace them prematurely regular cleaning is important.
It is very important to choose an established contractor experienced with ultrasonic cleaning and the handling of various types of window blinds and shades. The fabric shades (Silhouettes, Luminettes, Duettes, etc.) must be handled with care and require a specialized cleaning method to avoid damage to the fabric and components of the blind. Use a company that operates professionally, conducts business ethically (insurance, business license and legal employees) and is comfortable answering your questions.
Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning is a necessary cleaning service for residential homes as well as public venues such as club houses, fitness centers, offices, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and restaurants, etc., where infections and illnesses should be controlled. Go to www.epa.gov/iaq/biologic.html to get more valuable information on Indoor Air Quality and Biological Pollutants.
Wash Rite Inc. has been serving the Orlando and Central Florida areas since 1991 providing Exterior Pressure Cleaning, Pressure Washing and Ultrasonic Blind and Shade Cleaning Services.
