Simple Steps Lead to a Clean and Sustainable Welcome
The holidays are when we need our homes to shine. Seasonal hospitality can turn into an exhausting cleanup or hazard avoidance marathon if you do not prepare. Sensible checks before guests arrive help avoid unpleasant surprises and keep everyone breathing easier.
Clear the Air Before the House Party
When the house fills with the warm, crowded atmosphere of loved ones and the delicious aromas from marathon baking and roasting of holiday delicacies, indoor air quality (IAQ) can suffer. Improve your IAQ baseline to prepare for the best outcomes throughout the season. Before your guests arrive:
- Ensure nothing blocks airflow to your heating and cooling system.
- Replace HVAC filters.
- Vacuum vents.
If your HVAC system hasn't had recent attention, contact AdvantaClean for an inspection and professional air duct cleaning to remove dust and allergens before the holidays. Cleaner air helps avoid irritation and allergy symptoms for those with sensitivities, while also keeping your home smelling fresh.
Get Ahead of Water Issues
The holiday season puts extra demand on your plumbing and appliances, which means small issues can quickly turn into bigger problems when your home is full of guests. A little preventive maintenance now can save you from dealing with a plumbing emergency later.
Check under sinks and around your dishwasher and washing machine for any signs of slow leaks. The increased water usage during the holidays can expose weak spots in your plumbing that need fixing before they become major problems. If you spot moisture, drips, or water stains, address them right away.
When guests are staying with you, consider leaving simple instructions near appliances that might be unfamiliar to them. A quick note about how much detergent to use or which setting to select can prevent overflows and mishaps, and is much easier than dealing with a flooded laundry room on Thanksgiving weekend.
Moisture Management Mitigates Musty Smells
Musty odors and the potential mold exposure they might signal are particularly challenging to anticipate during holiday get-togethers. A "buttoned up" house inhibits ventilation, trapping moisture. Extra laundry loads and showers, steamy kitchens bursting with family-style meal preparation, and open doors and windows, courtesy of your guests, can exacerbate excessive humidity issues, resulting in unpleasantly moist air quality and even fungal growth. Manage excessive humidity by:
- Running exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
- Vigilantly wiping up spills, tub, and sink overflows. Use sturdy absorbent entryway mats and encourage guests to remove damp shoes when entering your home.
- Using dehumidifiers to balance humidity and prevent mold growth.
Note:
Overly dry air can also cause health problems, contributing to skin issues, sore throats, or nasal irritation. You might need humidification in some spaces and dehumidification in others to ensure everyone's comfort. Walk this humidity tightrope by investing in an inexpensive hydrometer to measure relative humidity, maintaining it between 30 and 50 percent.
Keep Your Celebration Fire-Safe
The holidays are a time for warmth and light. A few extra precautions prevent accidental fires, a logical extension of healthy home holidays goals:
- Never leave cooking tasks unattended.
- Keep flammable items away from burners and open flames.
- Check holiday decor for condition and placement. Inspect lights for frayed cords and place candles well away from curtains, greenery, and other combustibles.
- Schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning before the first fire of the season. Place screens to catch sparks and prevent accidents.
- Extinguish all flames and turn off holiday lights before bed or leaving the house.
- Store matches and lighters securely, out of reach of children.
For a cleaner, healthier, and hazard-free home this holiday season, partner with AdvantaClean. From air duct cleaning to moisture control and mold prevention to fire safety tips, AdvantaClean professionals offer recommendations on how your home can stay safe, comfortable, fresh, and guest-ready all year long.
