HYPOALLERGENIC CLEANING

EDITOR'S NOTE Hello Everyone, I welcome you to yet another edition of our newsletter. Have you ever wondered why you react to certain products? Or when you are in certain areas you begin to have itchy eyes, skin rash? The answer is not farfetched-Allergy. Over the years, it has been discovered that people react differently to same chemical products at different levels or degree. Some of us have very sensitive skin and body systems which cannot tolerate the presence of certain chemicals in the products we buy for use, in this case our cleaning agents/products. We do not want to bore you with medical explanation on allergens as our major concern here is an aspect of facility management which is "cleaning"; we intend to expose to our readers the concept of "green cleaning" that is, using natural cleaning methods and agents. This newsletter will bring to the fore natural everyday items and sometimes food ingredients in our homes which can actually be used for cleaning purposes and are healthy. We hope you will find the topic stimulating enough to adopt some of the cleaning agents discussed. Enjoy your read. PATIENCE E.C. OKONTA The word was first used in relation to reaction to some skin care products. It is the combination of two individual words:  "hypo and allergy" According to Merriam Webster dictionary, an allergy is a damaging immune response by the body to a substance, especially a particular food, pollen, fur, or dust, to which it has become hypersensitive.  In medical context, it is an exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes)   to ITCHY BODY      substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual. Simply put, an allergy is a reaction (skin, health sensitivity) to certain chemical substance in the atmosphere or in substances that comes in contact with the human body. "Hypo" is used to refer to a chemical component denoting the most deficient in oxygen. Thus, hypoallergenic is a term used to describe a product as relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. They are designed to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response as by containing relatively few or no potentially irritating substances: e.g., soap, air fresheners, scrubs, creams, etc. It means "allergy-friendly" or "less allergenic." Products labeled hypoallergenic are purportedly less likely to cause an allergic reaction in the person using them.  This is because they are believed to contain fewer allergens, the substances and particles that irritate allergy-sufferers and cause them to have a reaction. Since we referred to these substances as chemical related, you do not have to be an asthma patient before you react to them; although these category of persons are more exposed and sensitive to such. Signs of reaction are: itching, sneezing, difficulty in breathing, nausea, redness of affected areas, swelling, etc. We may be wondering how this topic relates to Facilities management but it does! The environment we live in, the plants or vegetation surrounding our homes, the coziness of our apartments or the cleaning agents we use in our homes, even the location of our homes contribute to the presence or absence of these allergy causing chemical substances in our ecosystem.   All these are informed aspects of FM especially in the area of cleaning, pest control, gardening and general environmental hygiene. The presence of such chemical in the atmosphere could cause irritation of the eyes; which ophthalmologists prescribe certain eye drops for. In as much as we cannot totally eradicate these substances, we can take certain measures to get rid of the many allergy triggers and help relieve its symptoms in our environment. The answer is not far-fetched – Cleaning! It is no myth that regular cleaning can help eradicate dirt which may cause allergies; however, it should be noted that cleaning agents too can cause some unpleasant reactions to the human body. Hence, there are two approaches to eliminating allergy triggers. First, is by ensuring a clean environment all the time. Second, by ensuring that the materials for cleaning e.g., detergents, bleach, etc. are ecofriendly and healthy as well; in other words, the use of hypoallergenic cleaning agents/methods.    Below are a few tips to maintaining a clean environment and keeping allergies under control: Ensure you vacuum your rugs or floor generally daily or once in three days. It may be expedient to dispose of your rug after sometime because they accommodate a lot of dust particles. Wear masks or dust sifter and gloves when sweeping, washing or dusting. Wash your curtains and linens regularly because they harbor dust a lot Do not use harsh detergents or cleaning agents Regular cleaning/scrubbing and dusting of surface areas.  Wash your sheets and clothes in hot water to kill mites and other allergens Ensure lawns are mown regularly Ensure the gutters are free from dirt; ensure free flow of water bodies; avoid stagnant water, they breed pests. Proper ventilation and air circulation can reduce toxins/allergens in the atmosphere too Lastly, employ green cleaning or services that render such. The question is what are you cleaning your House With? Many of the commercial cleaning products in the market contain substances or chemicals that are highly toxic and can burn skin or eyes on contact. Most of these conventional cleaning products we all grew up with are petroleum-based and have harmful health and environmental effects. There are plenty of natural products and methods that keep a house clean, fresh-smelling and hygienically safe without any toxic side effects. Some of these agents are available in our homes but we do not know their worth. Take for example your vinegar, lemon fruit, baking soda, salt, etc. they come handy in the home and are very good cleaning agents. As the consciousness of these facts keep spreading, in a distant future every home will be able to produce its own cleaning formula and that which is healthy and suitable for them. A Green Cleaner is non-toxic, that is, hypo-allergenic; it is biodegradable, that is, chlorine free and phosphate free. It is natural. Some of the natural green cleaners are highlighted below: salt: The saline mineral brightens carpet and acts as a non-scratching abrasive cleaner and inhibits bacteria growth. Vinegar: it is Use as a degreaser i.e. dissolves water-insoluble substances (such as greases and oils) from hard surfaces such as floor, machines and tools; emulsifier, and mold growth inhibitor. It helps to remove soap froth from bathroom surfaces and mineral deposits generally. It also contains disinfecting properties. Hydrogen Peroxide: typically found in pharmacies is a clear liquid chemical used to kill bacteria (antiseptic), to remove color from cloth, and as a bleaching (whitening) agent. It is useful in kitchens and bathrooms. Lime and lemon: the juice from these fruits serves as stain removers when sprinkled on surfaces with salt. They can even remove rust if allowed to sit a few hours on surfaces before being rubbed out. 3. Essential oils: generally oils contain properties that help prevent germs and deodorize the home. They can be combined with other ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda when cleaning. Examples are: lavender, Cedar wood, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Patchouli, Chamomile, olive oil, sheabutter, etc. 4. Baking Soda: sodium bicarbonate used for cleaning and cooking purposes. Excellent odor absorbent, a mild abrasive and a degreaser. It serves as a mild alkali and great in reduction of stomach acid.  Source: Wikipedia—Hypo-allergenic, Green cleaning.