Is Your Vacuum Cleaner Making You Sick? What You Need To Know

When you purchased your vacuum cleaner, you signed up for a powerful cleaning machine that would keep your home fresher and cleaner. What you didn't sign up for is sickness. However, you might be surprised to discover that your vacuum cleaner is actually making you ill. This is particularly true if you or anyone in your home suffers from allergies. Knowing how to recognize the signs that your vacuum cleaner is working against you and knowing what to do in this case is essential.

Signs your Vacuum is the Problem

Whether it's dust, pollen, mold or another allergen, your vacuum shouldn't just be removing these particles from the floor, but it should also be trapping them inside the vacuum. A vacuum that is not functioning correctly will only disperse these particles back into the air.

If notice that you seem to have itchy or runny eyes, a runny nose or you burst out into a sneezing frenzy every time you vacuum, you have a problem on your hands. This is generally an indication that your vacuum isn't removing these allergens from your home, but simply tossing them back into the air, causing your irritation.

What you Can Do

If your vacuum cleaner is contributing to your allergies, you can either install a HEPA filter or replace the unit altogether. HEPA, high-efficiency particulate air, filters are designed to remove allergy-inducing particles and prevent them from recirculating into the air at a higher rate than traditional filters. Pet dander, pollen and dust mites are just a few of the allergens these filters are designed to eliminate. If you or another person in your home suffers from allergies, this should be considered a necessary upgrade.

For very old vacuums, it might be best to replace your unit altogether. Old vacuums can accumulate a great deal of dust over time. This dust is often full of allergens that get released into the air each time you operate the unit. Additionally, as your vacuum starts to lose some of its power, its ability to effectively remove allergens from the air also gets reduced. It's also important to note that some older models might not be able to accommodate a HEPA filter, so keep this in mind.

Don't let your vacuum cleaner make you and your family sick. Make certain you are doing your part to ensure your vacuum is working for you and not against you. For more information, contact All Make Vacuum Service Ltd. or a similar company.

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