¿Cómo limpiar la casa en fin de año? No olvides tu amuleto

Title: How to Clean the House for the New Year? Don't Forget Your Amulet Author: Xu Lili, Chief of the Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care at Wenzhou Central Hospital Profile: Before the Chinese New Year, cleaning can lead to respiratory irritation. Use masks and ventilate well to take care of yourself. Keyword: ['Public Health', 'Life Tips']

At the end of the year, Mrs. Chen dedicated herself to cleaning. She rolled up her sleeves and got fully into the storage room, which was filled with old objects and covered in dust. The dust danced in the sunlight, and she only covered her mouth and nose with a damp cloth.

While cleaning, she felt an itch in her throat, but she didn’t think much of it. However, in the following days, she began to cough uncontrollably, feeling as if a stone was pressing on her chest and making it difficult to breathe. Her family took her to the hospital, where the doctor informed her: 'You have inhaled too many fungi and dust mites, which has caused a severe inflammatory reaction in your lungs. If you had worn a mask, the situation would have been completely different.'

Mrs. Chen's experience is a 'typical case' that the respiratory department of the hospital encounters every year before the Spring Festival. People clean off the dust to welcome the new year, but often, unknowingly, they cause damage to their airways that could have been avoided.

1. What are you inhaling while dusting?

1. The 'invisible legion of allergens.'

In every gram of dust, there can be millions of bacteria, thousands of mold spores, and endless debris from dust mites. They rise with the brooms and cloths, becoming the main culprits of sneezing, itchy eyes, and even asthma attacks.

2. The 'invisible attack' from detergents.

Many potent cleaners, when mixed, can produce irritating gases. It is especially important to note that chlorine bleach (such as disinfectant 84) should not be mixed with toilet cleaners (such as hydrochloric acid), as they can generate chlorine gas, which can cause severe damage to the eyes and lungs.

Three times thinner than a hair are dust particles.

During thorough cleaning, the concentration of fine particulate matter in the air (PM2.5) can increase up to dozens of times compared to usual. These particles are so small that they can reach deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.

2. Simple and effective protection methods.

01 Essential equipment: choose and use masks correctly.

Areas with dust accumulation (such as storage rooms and ceilings): the concentration of dust is high and contains a large amount of old allergens and mold. It is recommended to use N95/KN95 masks, as they can filter more than 95% of fine particles.

Daily cleaning and sweeping: The suspended dust mainly consists of larger particles, so a surgical mask can be used for basic protection, and it should be remembered to keep the windows ventilated.

When using disinfectants and cleaners: the main danger comes from irritating gases, so it is essential to choose a mask with activated carbon layer that can reduce inhalation of chemical gases. Most importantly, care should be taken not to mix cleaners.

02 Proper placement, remember three points.

(1) Pinch the nose clip: After putting it on, press the metal strip on the top of the mask to fit snugly against the bridge of the nose.

(2) Check for leaks: Breathe deeply several times and feel if the mask expands and compresses slightly with your breath. It should fit tightly at the edges so that there are no air leaks.

(3) Timely replacement: If the mask becomes wet due to breath or feels clearly difficult to breathe, it is time to replace it with a new one.

03 Create a 'dust-free' cleaning.

First step: create 'crosswind' to allow air circulation.

Choose a moderately humid day to clean, as dust will not easily rise. Before starting to clean, first open the furthest window to create an 'air current' and allow air to circulate.

Second step: follow the 'top to bottom' order.

First clean the ceiling, lamps, and the tops of high cabinets, then clean the walls and surfaces of furniture, and finally the floor. This way, the dust will only 'fall' and not be raised repeatedly.

Third step: first 'clean wet' and then 'vacuum dry.'

For surfaces with dust accumulation, first use a damp cloth or electrostatic duster to clean them, trapping the dust in the damp cloth. Finally, use a vacuum cleaner to clean the floor and prevent the dust from 'moving.'

Fourth step: safe use of detergents.

Do not mix different detergents.

· Read the instructions carefully and dilute in proportion.

- When cleaning, use gloves and masks, and at the end, wash your hands well and open windows for ventilation.

04 Special attention: these people need special care.

1. People with a history of asthma or allergies should consult a doctor before doing deep cleaning and, if necessary, use preventive medications in advance. It is recommended to ask family members for help in cleaning areas with a lot of dust.

If symptoms such as persistent cough, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing occur after cleaning, the cleaning should be suspended and rest in a well-ventilated place. If symptoms do not improve, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately.

Cleaning is to get rid of old dust and make way for a new and clean environment, not at the cost of health. A small mask, a pair of rubber gloves, an open window: these simple protective measures can safeguard our breathing and that of our loved ones.