Allergens aren’t just a seasonal inconvenience. Dust, pollen, mold and pet dander can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems in sensitive individuals, leading to decreased productivity and increased discomfort—or even hospital stays and death at its worst.
As a responsible business owner, you can’t take that risk at your commercial facility. It’s important to keep your customers safe and keep your employees productive and free from distractions. Eliminating or reducing allergens is one way to do just that. Here are a few techniques for minimizing allergens in your commercial building.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
First, a preventative measure. One of the most effective ways to minimize allergens is by maintaining a strict cleaning regimen. Whether it’s someone on your janitorial team or you hire a commercial janitorial service, regular cleaning will help remove common allergens that can accumulate on surfaces and in the air. Specifically, it’s essential to perform tasks like the following on a weekly basis:
- Vacuum carpets
- Sweep and mop floors
- Dust surfaces
- Clean restrooms and kitchens
Additionally, your HVAC system should be a regular focus of your inspections, cleaning and maintaining it regularly to prevent the buildup of allergens in the ducts, filters and coils.
Use High-Efficiency Air Filters
Speaking of your HVAC systems, another way to significantly reduce the presence of allergens in your commercial facility is to use a high-efficiency particulate air filter (aka HEPA filter). These are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, which means it will filter out dust, pollen, mold spores and pet dander. If you have standard air filters, consider swapping them out for HEPA filters to improve your indoor air quality. This also creates a healthier environment for employees and customers when you replace them regularly. Finally, you also ensure optimal performance and effectiveness of your system, potentially reducing bills.
Control Humidity Levels
Mold and dust mites thrive in moist environments, making it crucial to control humidity levels if you want to minimize them. Commercial facilities should maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% to inhibit the growth of these allergens and prevent moisture-related issues. Dehumidifiers are one solution that can help regulate humidity levels in the areas of your facility most prone to high moisture (e.g., basements, bathrooms, kitchens). Proper ventilation can also promote air circulation and prevent humidity buildup in your indoor spaces.
Implement Green Cleaning Practices
You might think eco-friendly products and techniques are only good for the environment, but they can also help with allergens. This is because traditional cleaning products with harsh chemicals and fragrances can make allergies and respiratory problems worse. But eco-friendly and hypoallergenic cleaning products minimize exposure to chemicals while keeping allergens at bay. Look for cleaning products labeled as “green,” “eco-friendly,” or “allergy-friendly,” as these tend to be formulated without synthetic fragrances, dyes or harsh chemicals. Fernic Building Solutions offers green cleaning services that prioritize environmental sustainability and indoor air quality, if you don’t already have an avenue to do this.
Maintain Landscaping
Exterior landscaping can also contribute to allergen levels inside commercial facilities, especially during pollen season. By maintaining your outdoor landscaping (e.g., mowing grass, trimming bushes/trees, removing weeds, etc.) can reduce the amount of pollen and other natural allergens that enter your building. Furthermore, planting low-allergen plants and flowers can reduce exposure, as can only using these types of plants (or plastic versions) inside.
Educate Employees and Tenants
Employee and tenant education can go a long way as well, especially when it comes to proper cleaning techniques, allergen-reducing practices and being informed about the importance of maintaining a healthy and clean indoor environment. The more people who understand allergens and care about them, the better likelihood that air quality will improve. Consider hosting regular seminars or lunch-and-learn sessions that educate employees about allergen types, causes and prevention methods. If you have tenants, a mailer or flyer is another way to increase awareness and get them involved in your allergen-reduction efforts.
Schedule Professional Allergen Testing and Cleaning
If you’re still experiencing issues with allergens—or you want to be extra-precautious and careful—regular professional allergen testing and cleaning can help you identify areas that need the most attention. Companies like Fernic Building Solutions can offer comprehensive allergen testing services and inspections to assess your indoor air quality and identify potential sources for allergens. Based on test results, we can also recommend targeted cleaning and maintenance solutions that will improve your indoor air quality.
Minimizing allergens in commercial facilities is essential for promoting a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for employees and customers alike. To see how Fernic Building Solutions can help you maintain an allergen-free facility, contact us for a consultation and no-obligation quote today. We’d love to help you create a comfortable environment in your building.