Mgt 105 Home and Clean

[michael edward badolato jr]

With apartments, motels, condos, duplexes, or other multi units - expect the worst - it is common airspace. Usually the number one hazard is smoke from other units. Even if the lease says no smoking - don't believe it - even one violation will send smoke throughout and leave residue (King 2010).

 

Trying to make an apartment work by using filters or ventilation improves only to a lesser degree of horrible.

 

It is usually necessary to move out and replace all thick clothing, blankets, etc. With thin material multiple washing and drying might clear enough of the residue.

 

More so than most pollutants - smoke increases predisposition to respiratory infections such as sinus and bronchial - requiring antibiotics (Surgeon General 2007).

 

Mobile homes are usually unlivable - cabinets, paneling, and countertops are formaldehyde laden particleboard (CDC 2008). Taking decades to cure out - it basically never does.

 

A livable house has no previous tobacco smoke or woodburning and is all electric - including cooking, heating, and the hot water heater. However, electric space heaters with exposed coils burn dust and should not be used.

 

Natural gas comes with imperfect convection - generating combustion byproducts in the house (Ca.gov 2007, Enhs.umn 2003).

 

Anything containing gasoline - such as a vehicle - placed in an attached garage - results in toxic vapors throughout the house (Gordian 2010).

 

Carpets may have toxic outgas and are a sink for contaminants.

 

Best is a hardwood, tile, or terrazo floor with scatter rugs that can be laundered - or partial coverage with unpadded tight woven oval rugs is medium desirable.

 

Floors can be maintained with a dust mop pretreated the day before with peanut oil from a spray bottle. Dust accumulated on the mop is removed by taking outside and sweeping off with a broom or scrape down with a putty knife. Laundering is required only very infrequently. Pretreat for next time. Rectangular clip on dust mops 18" and up - with frames and detachable handles that swivel for agility - are available at janitorial supply stores. Once getting the hang of it - they are quite nifty.

Pumice sticks available at janitorial supply stores or online remove toilet rings and soft stainless steel puffs commonly used for pots and pans polish deposits off faucets - without scratching.

Wet and dry towel method can be used for windows, mirrors, sinks, counters, tables - almost any surface. Polishing off the last remaining moisture with the dry towel leaves a low residue clear shine so that use of a chemical is not necessary.

The typical white bathroom sink may have an adhered soiling that requires a chemical - possibly a powder non abrasive chlorinated cleanser is a necessary last resort. That may be the only household chemical needed to use very occasionally

 

Walking 10,000 steps per day - about 100 minutes or 5 miles - makes for warm metabolism - allowing the thermostat at 50 degrees or less - saving energy and reducing pollution. 

 

References

Ca.gov. Combustion pollutants in your home. CEPA Air Resources Board 2007

CDC Centers for Disease Control. What you should know about formald... 2008

Enhs.umn Indoor air pollution: an evaluation of three agents. Environmental tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, combustion gases 2003

Gordian M.E. et al. Evaporative gasoline emissions and asthma sympt... Int J Res Pub H 7(8): 3051-62 2010

King B.A. et al. Secondhand smoke transfer in multiunit housing. Oxford Journals.org Oct 201

Pumice Stick, Amazon.com

Rectangular clip on dust mop, Frame, Handle, Cleaning Products World.com

Stainless Steel Sponge, Amazon.com

Surgeon General. The health consequences of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke: a report of the surgeon general. US Department of Health and Human Services 2007