Clutter and your Health – Why Dust-Gatherers Have to Go
- July 21, 2014
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- Posted in : Decluttering
We all allow clutter to gather in our homes at some point. And where clutter lies, dust is never far behind…
What are dust mites?
House dust mites are barely visible to the naked eye but are present in mattresses, carpets and curtains in every home in the UK. Dust mites, at just 0.03mm long thrive in warm environments and feed on microscopic flakes of skin from our bodies. House dust mites are one of the most common triggers of allergies causing outbreaks of eczema and rhinitis and affecting 85% of asthmatics.
Realistically it would be as impossible to get rid of every dust mite as it would be to get rid of every speck of dust but there are ways to limit them – decluttering. It seems it is not only good for your mind but is also good for your health too.
Decluttering dust
The quickest and most efficient way of ridding your home of dust is minimising the places dust collects. As we all know, dust gets everywhere but cleaning carpets, curtains and bedding regularly and dusting with a damp cloth can minimise those allergens which cause allergic reactions and affect asthmatics.
The millions of dust mites in your home don’t just live in mattresses, pillows and curtains. Rugs are home to these annoying little critters too and potted plants and books are also responsible for harbouring mites. Unfortunately even your most sentimental items – cuddly toys – are culprits when it comes to dust mites and if you are suffering from a runny nose or itchy eyes the only option might be to store away your beloved furry friend!
See our previous post about Feng Shui and Decluttering for some advice on how to get rid of get organised.
Keep/sell/store
Decluttering sounds a real chore but our top tips make it quick and easy. And if you are suffering from allergies or asthma it is a fundamental factor for your good health.
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Make a plan and target the worst areas first.
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Treat it as an ongoing project. Don’t try and do it all in a day – declutter properly in short sharp bursts. This way you won’t get bored!
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Think usefulness first, sentimentality second. If you haven’t used something in a year get rid of it, avoid getting sentimental – you can always keep it, just pop it into storage.
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Use the 3 box approach – keep/sell/store. Either keep the item, sell it / send it to charity or if you want to keep it but don’t have the space, store it.
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Clutter in the house can clutter the mind but decluttering can seem like a mammoth task. If you have a real problem area like a sideboard or a desk use the ‘box and banish’ approach. Pop all the unsightly clutter into a box so it is out of the way then sift through it and sort it out over a period of weeks.
If you suffer from allergies and need a place to store your much loved clutter then give us a call now on 0845 430 9333 or find out more about our domestic mobile storage service online.