Do you need to 'Shake Your House'? You don't have to wait until spring!
 The origins of spring cleaning go back to the ancient Persians, whose New Year fell on the first day of spring. "khooneh takouni" which literally means "shaking the house" is still carried out just before their new year. Everything in the house is still thoroughly cleaned, from the drapes to the furniture.....
But do we really need to?
Do you think it is important for your family's hygiene to regularly clean curtains and carpets? And what about duvets, sheets, towels, bed and sofa covers?
With modern vacuum cleaners isn't a weekly wiz around enough? And you can do the curtains too can't you, with the extensions? Maybe, but germ experts say hidden inside family homes are colonies of nasty allergens. They are thriving in the most unlikely of places including the pillows on your bed! Pillows need to be cleaned regularly, at least every six months. That's because a pillow that hasn't been cleaned recently contains high amounts of sloughed skin, mold and mildew, fungus, dust mites and dust faeces. Nobody wants to sleep on that!
Dr. Philip Tierno, a New York University microbiologist said "I've seen people with pillows that were loaded with micro organisms.
Pillows absorb germs from our skin and the air, and they become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and dust mites."
If you experience itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing, a stuffed head and trouble breathing in the bedroom, it is most likely due to an allergic or asthmatic reaction to the fecal matter of dust mites that live in your pillow and is inhaled when it becomes airborne while you sleep. Remember this the next time you go to fluff your pillow!
In addition many household fabrics can harbour a type of fungus called Aspergillus, this can worsen asthma and cause allergic sinusitis in people with allergic tendencies.
If you have pets spring cleaning is even more essential as some pets carry fleas which can spread throughout the home.
Then there are moths, infestations of these have increased recently. The most important thing being to prevent their arrival in your home in the first place, however they may well already be present in your house, Regular cleaning is essential, thorough vacuuming under beds and along baseboards, in wardrobes and behind heaters will help. Remember to empty the bag straight away, as it may harbour eggs, larvae, or adult moths.
Dry cleaning effectively kills all stages of insects. This is the most common and effective method for controlling clothes moths in clothing, blankets, and other washable articles. If storing clothes for a season, clean them and put away in plastic storage bags.
So as well as having those important items specially cleaned why not muster the whole family and make into an event?
Top tips for a family 'Shaking' day
1. Thoroughly clean and store winter clothes and send your summer suits/dresses to the dry cleaners.
2. Book a professional carpet cleaning service for a day after your main 'shake the house' day and arrange for your curtains to be collected.
3. Send your pillows for re-making to kill the bugs and bacteria. Only £6.99 each
4. Send duvets and bedding to a specialist professional laundry.
5. Gather cleaning supplies before the day arrives.
6. Pick a weekend day when every one is free as they are all strongly invited to be there and turn off those mobiles!
7. Bring favourite CDs, give a small prize for both the best and worst 'Shaking' music.
8. Hide small chocolate bars around areas being cleaned and have favourite snacks ready.
9. Make chores appropriate for ages. Sorting safe items can be good for preschool and school age children.
10. Make the cleanup into a contest. Take photos of the 'Shaking'. Someday your children will want to prove to your grandchildren that you worked them like slaves!
And finally...relax! Take the family out to a film or order in a pizza!
The Barker Group for quality laundry, dry cleaning and specialist fabric care services.
Launders to royalty and celebrity since 1861
| 
