Curtains can add to the appeal of your home environment. But what many homeowners might not realize is that exposing yourself and your family to dirty curtains can be a hazard to your health. Today we’re going to share a few dangers of dirty curtains in your home.
The Dangers of Dirty Curtains To You and Your Family
Curtains are certainly a nice addition to any living space. With different colors and materials available, homeowners can truly customize their living space.
Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to realize that not cleaning their curtains can cause harm to those who live in the home. For this reason, we’re going to share 4 dangers of dirty curtains.
Asthma
If you or someone in your household has asthma, this is something to consider when you have curtains in your home. Those with asthma experience narrowed airways and excessive mucous, making it difficult to breathe.
With that said, these allergens can be triggered by dust, dander, and pollen. When your curtains are dirty, they can easily trap any of these allergens.
Not only that but these allergens can be released into the air when the curtains are moved and trigger an asthma attack in individuals. If anyone in your home has asthma, it is especially important to keep your curtains cleaned regularly.
Dust Mites
Dirty curtains also run the risk of harboring dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic bugs that feed on organic particles such as skin flakes. It’s important to note that dust mites thrive in dark and moist areas.
Unfortunately, this makes curtains the perfect place for them. Dust mites are not easy to detect and can spread fast. If you suspect you have dust mites, it’s important to wash your curtains with warm water.
You will need to repeat this process more than once. It’s also a good idea to dry your curtains to kill off any surviving dust mites.
To avoid attracting dust mites, homeowners should wash their curtains on a regular schedule to keep them clean.
Mold and Mildew
In some cases, your curtains can become wet. For instance, if your window opens and it rains, this can potentially reach your curtains as well and dampen them.
Damp curtains are a breeding ground for fungal growth, which ultimately leads to mold and mildew. Contracting mold in your home can be a danger to your health. In fact, mold is known to cause lung infections, especially for those with weaker immune systems.
It’s important to note that those with immune-suppressing diseases such as diabetes are more susceptible to fungal spores.
Smoke Particles
This is something that many homeowners don’t think about, but living near an industrial area or living in a home with a smoker can cause dirt accumulation on your curtains.
Over time, your curtains can trap smoke particles, causing the curtains to be more stained. Even more, these smoke particles can be carcinogenic. This means that these particles can potentially lead to cancer.
If you or anyone in your home is exposed to carcinogenic particles, this can increase the risk of developing lung, nose, neck, throat, and other cancers.
While curtains are great decorative and functional pieces, it’s important to keep your curtains clean. Dirty curtains can trigger asthma attacks in asthma patients, lead to dust mites, attract mold and mildew, and trap smoke particles.
With that said, it’s best practice to develop a regular cleaning schedule to ensure that your curtains are both beautiful and safe.