The Problems

The only company in the middle east that leaves your mattress and upholstery fully sanitized

Where we live

Whilst the Middle East offers us an exciting life, fact remains that its environment provides the perfect breeding conditions for many indoor impurities due to:

  1. Extreme temperatures and humidity
  2. Poor indoor air quality due to the continuous use of air conditioning
  3. Double glazed windows that prevent direct UV sun light penetration (the first known natural disinfectant)
  4. Frequent sandstorms and surrounding construction dust

Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air quality refers to the characteristics of the air within a house, a structure or a building and often an indicator about the level of the comfort of the inhabitants as well as their health status. Indoor air quality has become a very significant safety and health concern in recent years. Know more about our AC duct cleaning services.

The status of how good or how bad the internal air is determined by collecting samples of air, checking exposure to possible pollutants, and checking the air circulation in the area. Other than chemical pollutants, the main triggers of poor indoor air quality are:

  • Humidity: Changes in humidity have noticeable effect in the air. A high level of humidity causes moisture, and results in the growth of mould, dust mites and fungus. On the other hand, a low level of humidity results in dry air causing viruses to survive.
  • Temperature: uncontrolled temperatures leads to uncomfortable living and working condition for the whole family, and reduces productivity. High temperature also worsens the effect of humidity and helps in the growth and multiplication of bacteria and impurities.
  • Ventilation: Lack of proper ventilation and proper air circulation has a direct effect on the quality of inside air. Improper ventilation caused by shared building ducting, lack of professional AC duct cleaning and contaminated air also increase the chances of having an unhealthy indoor air environment.

Additionally, many pollutants and allergens such as dust, mold, spores, pollen, smoke particles and pet dander can deteriorate the quality of your air. Maintaining clean AC duct in places where you are spending long hours can be beneficial to your health, comfort, general well-being, and productivity. The pollutants in the AC duct might cause headaches, flu symptoms, red eyes, itchy nose, throat irritation, hay fever, and breathing difficulty. In several extreme cases, the bad AC air quality leads to asthma symptoms especially for pregnant women, babies, children and the elderly.

IAQ in UAE

UAE residents spend almost 90% of their time indoors, irrespective of the weather. Furthermore, the Middle East provides the perfect breeding conditions for many indoor impurities due to the extreme temperatures and humidity, continuous use of air conditioning, lack of proper ventilation and the frequent sand storms, surrounding construction dust and lack of professional AC duct cleaning companies. Facts

  • According to the World Health Organisation, pollutant levels of indoor air may run two to five times higher than outdoor levels and 30% of buildings experience some form of sick building syndrome. Problems involving mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria, stale air, poor ventilation, odors, and microbes are commonplace.
  • The IAQ Protocol has now become a standard in some countries for the prevention bacteria, yeast and mold.
  • Monitoring indoor air quality, ventilation, and air-conditioning of buildings across Dubai is high on Dubai Municipality awareness agenda to ensure having environmentally safe and healthy buildings

Sources World Health Organization Dubai Municipality

Common Misconceptions

Below are some common misconceptions about mattress, sofa, carpet, curtain, upholstery cleaning that other cleaning and pest control companies in Dubai may practice:

  1. Steam cleaning/washing – Causes a clogging effect that encourages the existing impurities to grow and breed. This process also requires the mattress to dry fully, which could take up to 48 hours in direct sunlight
  2. Domestic vacuuming – Normal vacuuming of the mattress removes only up to 15% of the dust mite population, most of which spreads out in the room due to the traditional vacuum exhaust and filtration system
  3. Sprays and chemicals used by pest control companies to kill dust mites and bed bugs– Could be hazardous to your health when sprayed on surface where you sleep or sit (who would put chemicals on where we and our children sleep?!)
  4. Mattress isolating covers (Mattress protectors) – Covers will have more of an adverse effect because they block the ventilation of the mattress thus increasing temperature and humidity which foster the population of dust mites in the mattress

What we use at home

How Toxic Are Your Household Cleaning Supplies?

When consumers buy commercial cleaning products, they expect them to do one thing: clean! A wide array of scents, soaps, detergents, bleaching agents, softeners, scourers, polishes, and specialized cleaners for bathrooms, glass, drains, and ovens is used to keep homes sparkling and sweet-smelling. But while the chemicals in cleaners foam, bleach, and disinfect to make dishes, bathtubs and countertops gleaming and germ-free, many also contribute to indoor air pollution, are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched. Cleaning ingredients vary in the type of health hazard they pose. Some cause acute, or immediate, hazards such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer.

The most acutely dangerous cleaning products are corrosive drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and acidic toilet bowl cleaners, according to Philip Dickey of the Washington Toxics Coalition. Corrosive chemicals can cause severe burns on eyes, skin and, if ingested, on the throat and esophagus. Ingredients with high acute toxicity include chlorine bleach and ammonia, which produce fumes that are highly irritating to eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and should not be used by people with asthma or lung or heart problems. These two chemicals pose an added threat in that they can react with each other or other chemicals to form lung-damaging gases. Combining products that contain chlorine and ammonia or ammonia and lye produces chloramine gases, while chlorine combined with acids forms toxic chlorine gas.

Other Companies

Unlike other companies, The Healthy Home® treatments, are the best medically-developed deep cleaning and sanitizing process in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and UAE. Using world’s leading Germicidal Ultra Violet Light (GUVL) technology, our dry and chemical free sanitation treatment ensures that you and your family’s sleep and living spaces are in the healthiest and purest condition.

Asthma

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic breathing disorder becoming very common in Dubai and the rest of the Middle East. Asthma symptoms include recurrent attacks of breathlessness, tiredness, coughing and wheezing. Some causes and triggers are common to all people with asthma, and some are more individual. Although the fundamental causes of asthma are not completely understood, the strongest risk factors for developing adult and kids asthma are inhaled asthma triggers. These include:

  • indoor allergens (for example house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, pollution and pet dander)
  • outdoor allergens (such as pollens and moulds)
  • tobacco smoke
  • chemical irritants in the workplace
  • air pollution

Other asthma triggers can include cold air, extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and physical exercise. In some people, asthma can even be triggered by certain medications, such as aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and beta-blockers (which are used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and migraine). Urbanization has also been associated with an increase in asthma symptoms, however the exact nature of this relationship is unclear. We additionally recommend the use of natural asthma home remedies for mild asthma symptoms. Asthma facts:

  • 235 million people suffer from asthma globally
  • Although asthma cannot be cured, appropriate management can control the disorder and enable people to enjoy good quality of life
  • Asthma affects about 10 per cent of adults and about 15 per cent of children and adolescents in the UAE.

Sources: World Health Organization The National , 2013 

Allergy

An allergy is a chronic condition becoming very common in the Middle East involving an abnormal reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance called an allergen. If you have an allergy, your immune system views the allergen as an invader and a chain reaction is initiated. White blood cells of the immune system produce Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies attach themselves to special cells called mast cells, causing a release of potent chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals cause symptoms such as:

  • Itchy skin, itchy nose, throat, and eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Stuffy nose (congestion)
  • Runny nose
  • Tearing eyes
  • Red eyes
  • Dark circles under the eyes

A number of different allergens are responsible for allergic reactions. The most common include:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Insect stains
  • Food
  • Animal dander
  • Mold
What are the different types of Allergies?

Dust mite allergy: Dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny bugs that commonly live in house dust. Signs of dust mite allergy include sneezing and runny nose. Many people with dust mite allergy also experience signs of asthma, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing. Dust mites, close relatives of ticks and spiders, are too small to see without a microscope. Dust mites eat skin cells shed by people, and they thrive in warm, humid environments such as home bedding’s, upholstered furniture and carpeting. When was the last time you did an allergy test or went to an allergy specialist in Dubai? It is medically proven that steps to reduce the number of dust mites in your house can often control dust mite allergy. Hay fever allergy (allergic rhinitis): Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus. Hay fever in Dubai and the rest of UAE is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander. Other types: Other types of allergies include Bronchitis, Conjunctivitis, Rhinitis (Hay Fever), Sinusitis (Sinus Congestion)

Allergy facts:
  • Worldwide, allergic rhinitis affects between 10% and 30 % of the population
  • Worldwide, the rate among school children picking up one or more common allergens are currently approaching 40%-50%
  • One of the main types of allergies in the UAE is allergic rhinitis, which affects 10 per cent of adults and more than 30 per cent of children and adolescents

Sources:
Mayo Clinic
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
The National, 2013 

Eczema

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. Eczema symptoms include red itchy rash and dry skin, and over time rough hard thickened skin may occur. It is most common in infants where it occurs in around 1 in 5 children under 2 years of age, it can also occur in older children and adults but usually improves with age. Known eczema triggers in most people include:

  • Dry skin
  • Contact with house dust mite allergen on the skin can increase inflammation
  • Playing in sand and particularly sandpits
  • Sitting directly on carpets or grass
  • Inhalant allergens – worsening of eczema in spring and summer may also be due to pollen sensitivity
  • Temperature changes (such as heat) or overly heated rooms
  • Close contact with animals can cause itching or hives, as can sitting and playing on the grass
Eczema facts:
  • Although there is no cure, most people can effectively manage their disease by medical eczema treatment and by avoiding irritants
  • Around 10% of children worldwide are diagnosed with eczema

Sources:
Australasian society of clinical immunology and allergy
WebMD

Morning Fatigue

Allergic rhinitis occurs when allergens in the air are breathed by a patient that is allergic to them, irritating and inflaming the nasal passages. Allergens may include dust mites, pollen, molds, or pet dander that may live inside bedding, and mattresses. In people who are allergic to them, these particles trigger the release of a chemical in the body that causes nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. These symptoms can lead to poor sleep, which can result in significant daytime sleepiness and fatigue

Itchy Eyes

People who have allergies are often quick to seek help for symptoms such as sneezing, sniffling, and nasal congestion. But allergies can affect the eyes, too. They can make your eyes red, itchy, burning, and watery, and cause swollen eyelids.

You can be allergic to

  • Pollen from grasses, weeds, and trees. These are the most common kinds of eye allergies and are called seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
  • Dust, pet dander, and other indoor allergens. These eye allergies last year-round and are called chronic (perennial) conjunctivitis.
  • Makeup, perfume, or other chemicals can trigger eye allergies called contact conjunctivitis.
  • An allergy to contact lenses, called giant papillary conjunctivitis, makes eyes sensitive and red.
  • The same treatments and self-help strategies that ease nasal allergy symptoms work for eye allergies, too.
  • When you have allergies, your body reacts to things that aren’t really harmful, like pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander. It releases histamine, a chemical that causes swelling and inflammation. The blood vessels in your eyes swell and your eyes get red, teary, and itchy.

Mold & Fungi

What Is a Mold Allergy?

If you have an allergy that occurs over several seasons, you may be allergic to the spores of molds or other fungi. Molds live everywhere. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air.

Mold and mildew are fungi. They are different from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The “seeds,” called spores, travel through the air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather. Others spread with the fog or dew when humidity is high.

Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to early fall. But fungi grow in many places, both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year-round.

Although there are many types of molds, only a few dozen cause allergic reactions. Many molds grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, in compost piles and on grasses and grains. Unlike pollens, molds do not die with the first killing frost. Most outdoor molds become inactive during the winter. In the spring, they grow on plants killed by the cold. Indoors, fungi grow in damp areas. They can often be found in the bathroom, kitchen or basement.

What Are the Symptoms of a Mold Allergy?

The symptoms of mold allergy are very similar to the symptoms of other allergies, such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion and dry, scaling skin.

Outdoor molds may cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall (or year-round in some climates) Indoor molds may cause allergy symptoms year-round.

Mold spores get into your nose and cause hay fever symptoms. They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma. A chemical released by allergy cells in the nose and or lungs causes the symptoms. Sometimes the reaction happens right away. Sometimes a mold allergy can cause delayed symptoms, leading to nasal congestion or worsening asthma over time. Symptoms often get worse in a damp or moldy room like a basement. This may mean you have a mold allergy.

Water Pollution

The quality of Dubai tap water has always been a bone of contention. According to the water maintenance company Ultra, rubble, rubbish and other sources of contamination could reproduce bacteria such as Legionella. Especially if tanks are left for a long period of time without being cleaned.

Water is a nightmare for skin as the mineral content of the water strips it of its natural oils, leading to dryness that won’t budge no matter how much moisturizer you layer on. The situation isn’t much better for your hair. Polluted water can strip the hair of its natural lubricating oils and contribute to weathering of the hair cuticle. This is a major cause of hair loss, dandruff, dry and itchy scalp, hair breakage, splitting ends, unmanageable hair and its dull color and the statement is said to be supported by scientific evidence.