The ‘cobwebs’ which have decorated our homes in the autumnal celebration of everything ghoulish, could return at Christmas and create havoc for some health conditions
Cleaning experts have given a simple trick to stop dusty decorations ruining your Christmas this year.
And with the festive season on the horizon we should ensure our deccies are not gathering dust after being stored for a year in a dusty cupboard or loft. We have just passed the Halloween season with pumpkins and fiendish designs in our homes, but soon it will be time for festive decorations. The ‘cobwebs’ which have decorated our homes in the autumnal celebration of everything ghoulish, could return.
And cold-like symptoms we experience may be be allergies because of mould spores on pumpkins, scented candles and dusty decorations. Dust and cobwebs do make an appearance again every year after their annual hibernation in darkness in secret storage locations. Decorations carrying dust mites can often kick off allergies and now one expert says they should be ‘damped down’ by a cloth before we decorate out homes during the festive season.
Halloween may be a time for decorating and carving pumpkins but one expert says they could be having an impact on out health. Dr Neel Patel, an online doctor at LloydsPharmacy, said asthma and eczema can be affected by dusty decs. He said: “Seasonal decorations are stored away collecting dust for much of the year. This means they can trigger allergies because dust often contains a mix of particles like pollen, mould spores and dust mites.
“When disturbed, such as when putting up the tree or decorating, the particles become airborne, potentially triggering allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. To avoid an allergic reaction from dusty decorations, wipe them down with a damp cloth before you decorate your home. You could also try storing them in airtight containers or vacuum bags when not in use.”
The Mirror reported recently that mould can easily develop in the damp lofts and storage areas where many decorations are kept. It produces allergens irritants, and sometimes even toxic substances. John Harvey, managing director of cleaning company Hashtag Clean, warned: “If not kept clean and stored correctly then decorations could become damp and dusty – potentially becoming a breeding ground for mould and mildew. Mould could cause a flare-up of any allergies or affect asthma sufferers, which in the worst cases could lead to respiratory issues.
And your Christmas trees aren’t necessarily danger-free either. “Choosing artificial trees can be the best choice if there are allergies in the home as real trees could increase mould spores in the air, especially when it’s cold and windows are mostly closed. Sarah Dempsey, resident cleaning expert at MyJobQuote says: “Decorations obviously attract dust and dirt from the air and from handling. The ornaments on your tree are most likely to get dust and pet hair on them, as these float in the air and stick to any surface. If you have Christmas decorations in your kitchen, then they will pick up grease particles from the air.”
