The pre Spring Festival cleaning is an important ceremony to welcome the New Year, but as we sweat and clean our homes, it may quietly awaken an 'invisible health assassin' - dust. These seemingly ordinary dust particles actually contain various respiratory "killers" such as dust mites, fungal spores, pollen, dandruff, and small particles. These tiny particles can be directly inhaled into the airway, causing coughing, allergies, and even pneumonia. How can we clean the whole house while protecting our lungs? Please keep this scientific cleaning and lung protection guide safe! Before cleaning: First build a protective wall to prevent harmful particles from "entering the lungs". Dust, dust mites, and mold spores have extremely small particle sizes that ordinary masks cannot effectively block. Professional protection is the first key line of defense: choose the right mask: prioritize wearing KN95/N95 protective masks (safer without breathing valves), which have strong sealing and can effectively filter more than 95% of small harmful particles; Patients with allergies or underlying respiratory diseases must wear it throughout the entire process and do not remove it casually halfway. Auxiliary protection: Wear rubber gloves and goggles (to prevent mold and dust from irritating the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose, causing allergies), wear long sleeves and pants, and reduce direct contact between the skin and dust mites and mold. Use the right tools: refuse dry sweeping and wiping! Discard the traditional feather duster (which only lifts dust into the air) and switch to a slightly damp cloth or mop, paired with a vacuum cleaner with an efficient filter (specifically designed to absorb dust mites and mold spores, eliminating dust); Before cleaning, a small amount of water mist can be lightly sprayed on dry dust areas to allow the dust to settle and avoid drifting. Cleaning in progress: precise dust removal is carried out in different areas of the home, avoiding areas severely affected by allergens. Different types of harmful substances have different levels of severity, and targeted cleaning is necessary to reduce dust and eliminate the root cause. Bedding, mattresses, pillows, curtains, and plush toys are a paradise for dust mites and an important cause of respiratory allergies. Bedding should be soaked and cleaned in hot water above 60 ° C (high temperatures can directly kill dust mites), and then exposed to sunlight for more than 4 hours after washing; Use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency filter to slowly clean mattresses, pillows, sofas, and curtains, and do not directly tap them; Put away the carpet and plush toys to reduce the hiding places of dust mites. Dry and clean areas with high mold infestation in the kitchen/bathroom first. Mold prefers damp and dark corners (under sinks, refrigerator seals, bathroom corners), and inhaling mold spores can easily trigger allergic coughing and asthma. Before cleaning, open windows for ventilation and dry all water stains (a dry environment can inhibit mold growth); Wipe the mold spots with diluted mold remover/84 disinfectant (wear a mask and gloves to avoid dual stimulation of irritant gases and fungal spores); After cleaning, promptly dry the countertop and floor to maintain ventilation and dryness. Dust and pollen gathering areas in the living room/balcony: Clean the ceiling, suspended ceiling, window sill, and cabinet top from top to bottom. These are areas with heavy dust accumulation and are also prone to outdoor pollen. Follow the order from top to bottom and from inside to outside (wipe the ceiling and lighting fixtures first, then the furniture, and finally the floor) to avoid dust from high places falling back into the cleaned area; When cleaning at high altitude, stand on a stable stool and wipe slowly. Do not sweep or shake vigorously, as dust will be directly inhaled into the lungs. When cleaning: Remember the three "no's" to avoid overloading your lungs. 1. Do not clean continuously for long periods of time: every 30-40 minutes of cleaning, take a 5-10 minute break in a ventilated area to avoid inhaling harmful particles for a long time; 2. Do not act arrogantly: Elderly people, children, pregnant women, as well as patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis, try not to participate in dust cleaning as much as possible; 3. Do not abuse disinfectants/air fresheners: High concentration disinfectants and strongly scented fresheners can irritate the respiratory mucosa, worsen coughing and allergies. Use water and neutral cleaning agents, natural ventilation is the safest. After cleaning: Immediately wash your hands, face, rinse your mouth, and if conditions permit, rinse your nasal cavity. Wash the clothes worn during cleaning separately to avoid contaminating other clothing. After cleaning, choose to open the window and ventilate for 15-20 minutes when the outdoor air quality is good. Finally, I remind you to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. Cleanliness is the taste of the new year, and health is a blessing. Indoor humidity should be maintained at 40%~60% (which can inhibit the growth of dust mites and mold, as well as moisturize the respiratory tract). Opening windows for ventilation in daily life is more protective of the lungs than frequent thorough cleaning. Scientific dust removal, gentle lung protection, may everyone have a comfortable and smooth year of peace. (New Society)