Allergen Cleaning

1. The Allergen-Type Cleaning Objective

The objective of allergen-type cleaning goes beyond standard housekeeping. It is a deep particulate remediation that targets the six primary reservoirs of allergens in a building: ductwork, flooring, walls, ceilings, textiles/upholstery, and porous furnishings. The primary method relies on collection, not dispersion, of microscopic particles.

2. Process Protocol and Sequence

The effectiveness of the cleanup is dependent on performing steps in the correct order: from the least-accessible reservoirs to the most accessible surfaces.

A. HVAC System Cleaning (The Primary Reservoir)

• Duct Cleaning: The process must begin here. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ductwork acts as a constant distribution network for dust and particulates.

• Method: Utilize mechanical agitation (e.g., brushes, air whips) in conjunction with high-powered, truck-mounted or portable vacuum systems equipped with HEPA filtration. The system must be under negative pressure during cleaning to prevent contaminants from being forced into the occupied space.

B. Textile and Fabric Removal/Cleaning

• Textiles: All removable soft goods (bedding, curtains, throw rugs, clothes) must be bagged inside the containment zone and laundered using hot water (≥130∘F) to kill dust mites, or professionally cleaned.

• Upholstery: Upholstered furniture must be thoroughly cleaned using specialized high-powered HEPA vacuuming or hot water extraction to remove deeply embedded allergens.

C. HEPA Vacuuming of Structure (Top-Down Approach)

• Once textiles are removed and the HVAC system is addressed, all structural surfaces are vacuumed using only certified HEPA-filtered vacuums (≥99.97% efficiency at 0.3 microns).

  • Ceilings and Walls: Begin at the highest point (ceilings and light fixtures), moving down the walls, wiping fixtures, shelving, and hard furniture.

  • Flooring: The final HEPA vacuuming pass is performed on the flooring. Never use standard dry sweeping or non-HEPA vacuums, as this will re-aerosolize the microscopic allergens.

D. Wet Wiping

• After HEPA vacuuming, all non-porous surfaces (hard floors, walls, cabinets, countertops) should be wet-wiped using a mild detergent and water solution to capture microscopic dust that resists vacuuming.

3. Controlling Generated Dust with Air Filtration

To ensure the cleaning process doesn't simply redistribute allergens, strict airborne particulate control is necessary.

• AFDs (Air Filtration Devices) / NAMs (Negative Air Machines): These devices, equipped with HEPA filters, are essential for capturing generated dust and controlling air movement.

• Containment/Zoning: The structure should be divided into work zones using plastic sheeting (6-mil poly).

• Air Scrubbing: AFDs are placed within the work zone to continuously clean the air.

• Negative Pressure (If Necessary): If high levels of contamination (e.g., mold spores) are being disturbed, NAMs should be used to create a negative pressure differential relative to clean areas. This ensures any air leakage flows into the work zone, preventing the spread of contaminants.

4. Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Since this cleaning aggressively disturbs reservoirs of biological particulates, worker protection against inhalation and dermal exposure is mandatory.

• Respiratory Protection: At a minimum, workers should wear N95 disposable respirators (or better, if mold is present). For sustained or high-level dust generation (e.g., during duct cleaning or demolition), half-face elastomeric respirators with P100 filters are required.

• Dermal Protection: Disposable non-woven coveralls (with hood and boot covers), gloves, and eye protection (sealed goggles) are required to prevent direct skin contact with allergens and chemical residues.

The success of allergen-type cleaning is measured by the subsequent reduction in airborne and settled particulate levels, ultimately leading to improved respiratory health for the occupants.