While getting the annual flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent getting sick with the flu, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure your home or office is as clean and healthy of an environment as possible. The following are some ways you can do your part to help slow the spread of germs this season.

Keep Your Air Ducts Clean

The windows in your home remain closed more during the flu season (and wintertime in general) than most other times of the year, which means the air within your home is even more stagnant than usual. This lack of fresh air – not to mention the fact that the heat is typically cranked up during these months – has the potential to create an especially hospitable atmosphere for germs, viruses and other types of particles within your spaces.

This is especially true if the air ducts are overdue for a thorough, professional cleaning. Without routine cleaning and maintenance, the heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system within your property begins to accumulate unhealthy amounts of germs, dust, and other pollutants. These particles don’t just sit within your ducts; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that they circulate throughout an entire home as many as five to seven times each day.

At Blackmon Mooring, providing superior air duct cleaning and decontamination services is one of our many specialties. Our experienced technicians are steadfast in their dedication to improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) within your building.

Click here for more in-depth information regarding our residential and commercial air duct cleaning services.

Professional Carpet Cleaning

Another factor that contributes to the quality of the air within your home or office is your carpet, which is just as susceptible to gathering germs, dust, allergens and pollutants as your ducts. While vacuuming on a regular basis is certainly a good habit to maintain, these particles tend to settle deep within your carpet fibers and oftentimes require professional carpet cleaning services to truly be eliminated, especially if you have high-pile carpet.

Using the specialized hot-water extraction method, which is recommended by 25 out of 27 carpet manufacturers, our technicians can give your carpet the deep, thoroughly clean it needs to ensure the surfaces you walk on and the air you breathe is as clean and free of germs, bacteria and other particles as possible. This not only helps limit the spread of germs but can also help reduce the number of flare-ups experienced by anyone with allergies, asthma or other respiratory-related conditions.

For information and to learn about additional benefits of having your carpets professionally cleaned, click here.

Maintain Healthy Habits

Blackmon Mooring’s air duct and carpet cleaning services can help to ensure your home or office stays as clean and free of unhealthy particles as possible this time of year. There are however several things you can do yourself to further prevent the spread of germs and keep everyone in your building healthy and happy:

• Always cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a tissue but at the very least by using your elbow or sleeve.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, touching your eyes, mouth or nose or touching surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, sink handles, etc.
• Frequently clean and disinfect the objects you touch most, such as desks, tables, doorknobs, keyboards, phones, toys, railings, sink faucet handles, etc.

To learn additional ways you can help prevent the spread of the flu during peak seasons, check out other helpful resources from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For over 65 years, Blackmon Mooring has been the number one resource for cleaning homes and businesses. We’ve built our reputation as experts who get the job done right. We don’t only focus on the job, we also focus on the customer. Check out our latest cleaning specials and schedule your appointment today!