Whether your basement is strictly for storage, a fun living space for the kids, or a good mix of both, untidy basements can be a magnet for a long list of hazards. In this blog, we will look at the hidden dangers that could be lurking in your untidy basement and provide tips straight from our basement cleaning Toronto pros.
The Dangers of Poor Basement Cleaning in Toronto: Mould
Basement mold is a sneaky threat that knows where to hide. The more untidy your basement, the greater the risk of mould growth. Mould loves moisture, which makes most basements a tempting environment.
Stacks of boxes, old furniture, miscellaneous junk, and old paperwork all help hide or even harbour mould growth, degrading indoor air quality and leading to the following health issues:
- Increased allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, coughing, runny nose, etc.
- Fatigue
- Increased asthma or respiratory issues
- Cluster and migraine headaches
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Irritation in the nose, eyes, and throat
- Skin issues
Prolonged exposure to basement mold can also lead to serious health issues, including kidney failure, a suppressed immune system, and the cause of unexplained medical conditions. If you can’t see the mould, you might be able to smell its musty, unpleasant odour.
If you notice a mouldy smell, try to find it as soon as possible so you can arrange to have a specialty cleaning service, such as GermBlasters, take care of it. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll have to schedule professional mould remediation.
The Dangers of Poor Basement Cleaning in Toronto: Poison
As you acquire more and more stuff in your basement, it’s easy to forget exactly what is stored down there. This can expose kids, pets, and yourself to household poisons such as:
- Ant traps and insect repellents containing boric acid.
- Old batteries that can cause chemical burns if they leak.
- Household cleaners such as bleach.
- Compact fluorescent lamps that can release mercury if broken.
- Random ice packs that pets might chew, and then ingest substances such as cellulose or sodium chloride.
- Various adhesives, paints, corrosive substances, etc. that can degrade indoor air quality with volatile organic chemicals.
The Dangers of Poor Basement Cleaning in Toronto: Fire Hazards
Your basement could also be filled with potential fire hazards hidden by clutter and mess. The combination of a poorly ventilated space, a hot furnace, and piles of paper, old clothing, and flammable materials can be disastrous.
For example, if you have lithium-ion battery bikes or scooters stored in the basement, thermal runaway can rapidly increase the battery temperature, sparking a fire. The more random items and mess in your basement, the faster the fire can spread, and the more deadly and damaging the fire can become.
The Dangers of Poor Basement Cleaning in Toronto: Dust
Untidy basements hide dirt, presenting a long list of potential health hazards related to allergens such as pet hair/dander, dust, mites, mould spores, and pollen. What might seem like harmless dust can actually circulate throughout the basement and make its way into air vents.
Allergens degrade indoor air quality, causing respiratory issues and worsening asthma and other respiratory conditions. In fact, you might be horrified to learn that viruses like the flu can be spread through dust, not just droplets from coughing, sneezing, and talking.
So, if someone in your home is sick, droplets containing their germs can cling to dust and microscopic particles in the air. When the dust is airborne, it can transmit the illness. A simple dusting and vacuuming can help remove unseen dust containing these contaminants.
The Dangers of Poor Basement Cleaning in Toronto: Viruses and Bacteria
When you don’t clean your basement regularly, frequently touched surfaces provide places for viruses and bacteria to hide.
If someone in your family is sick and touches basement light switches, doorknobs, or the TV remote or gaming controllers, when you don’t clean the basement, the chances of the sickness spreading through the household are greatly increased. Weekly cleaning (or daily cleaning when someone is sick) will sanitize frequently touched surfaces to keep the rest of the household healthy.
The Dangers of Poor Basement Cleaning in Toronto: Worry and Stress
Even if you don’t go into the basement often, for many people troubled by untidiness and uncleanliness, just the idea of a messy basement can increase stress and anxiety. The chaos lurking in the basement is always at the back of your mind, creating feelings of frustration and resentment when the mess is not cleaned.
If a member of the family is a major contributor to the mess, it can create tension between family members. It can also be stressful when the space is shared, such as a rec room and an office. The mess will distract the person working in the office, decreasing focus and motivation, impacting their job performance, and contributing to further stress.
Scheduling professional cleaning on AutoPilot can help maintain household unity and reduce stress.
The Dangers of Poor Basement Cleaning in Toronto: Pests
Basements are a haven for pests, from ants to mice and everything in between. Pests are attracted to areas where they can find shelter to hide from predators, so what better place to hide than a messy basement?
If you use the basement often, snacking while watching movies can also attract pests if you fail to clean up the crumbs, half-eaten bags of chips, or food remnants on dirty dishes. A clean basement is your best defence against pests as it:
- Makes it easier to spot signs of pests so you can act before things get worse.
- Makes it harder for pests to find a place to hide.
- Removes potential food sources.
Contact the Cleaning Experts at Maid4Condos
Your basement offers additional living space, storage, and workspace, and thus deserves regular cleaning along with the rest of your home. With routine cleaning, you can maintain a desirable space free of hazards that put your home and family at risk.
Maid4Condos’ basement cleaning Toronto pros will help keep your basement neat and tidy to reduce hidden risks. Click here to learn more. You can also call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.
Share , Like & Engage On Social Media:
