Snuffing out the sniffles
AS anybody who suffers from hay fever knows, we are now entering the peak weeks for itchy eyes, sniffing and sneezing. If you can’t escape to the coast the general advice is to stay indoors but even if you keep all your windows shut pollen is still brought inside on your shoes and clothes.
Only a good old-fashioned spring clean will save you and the first job is to clean carpets, hard floors, curtains and sofas with a powerful vacuum cleaner.
The new Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Vacuum Cleaner is not only powerful but can be transformed from an upright into a portable cleaner flexible enough to sweep under sofas without moving them thanks to its swivel steering.
But for an even more thorough clean you need to shampoo your carpets.
The new Vax Platinum Power Max
Pollen
carpet washer is almost as simple to use as a vacuum cleaner and it’s designed to remove 93 per cent of allergens like pollen, hidden among the tufts – so dust and pet dander will be dealt with.
The machine releases the correct mix of water and cleaning fluid, using a spin scrub brushbar to push the mix into the carpet then suck it back up.
The Vax Platinum will also clean hard floors but if you’re looking for a nonchemical cleaner try Kinn Living Floor Wash (kinn-living.com), a plant-based floor cleaner in a range, available at Waitrose, that also includes washing up liquid and kitchen and bathroom cleaners scented with essential oils.
Lakeland’s Bona Spray Mop Kits are also a good option for hard floors. The pH neutral cleaning formula has a Greenguard gold certificate for clean air. Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner, £329.99 (shark clean.eu) Prices correct at time of going to press