The quality of air in Kansas City, MO, has significantly improved over the years. So much so that in the 2018 State of the Air Report, it only ranked as the 62nd most polluted city in the US. KCMO’s air pollution is still a big problem that can affect your indoor air quality, though. Air pollutants can settle and accumulate on surfaces, including your ceiling. With that said, a clean ceiling is crucial to keep your home clean from top to bottom.
We’ll share some tips on how to spruce up your ceiling in this guide, so be sure to read on.
Determine Your Ceiling’s Materials
Gypsum wallboard is the most common building material used indoors in the US. The US domestic construction sector alone uses about 30 billion square feet of it each year.
As for other materials, these include cement, wood panels, metal, and ceiling tiles. Older, non-renovated homes may still have popcorn ceilings.
If your home has been around before 1980, have your ceiling checked for asbestos. Asbestos was a common material in popcorn or textured ceilings from 1945 to 1980. If these get damaged, they could release dangerous asbestos fibers into the air.
Please don’t skip this step, as it would determine the safety of your ceiling cleaning methods.
Prep the Floor
Before you clean your Kansas City home, get rid of stuff that can hinder your task. These include items such as books and toys. Be sure to cover your furniture and floor, as you don’t want the dust from your ceiling to fall on them.
Prep Yourself
Wear protective eyewear, such as goggles, before you start cleaning your ceiling. You can also don a face shield, but if you don’t have one, use goggles and a face mask. These will help protect you from inhaling airborne particles.
Change into old clothes, too, as cleaning ceilings is a messy job.
Use a Dry Vacuum Dust Brush Attachment
Regardless of the ceiling finish or material, you should remove the dry dust on it first. You can use your vacuum’s dust brush attachment with an extendable handle for this task. You can also use a long-handled duster, but this can make a lot more dust go airborne.
Once you reach the joints where the ceiling and the wall meet, switch to your vacuum’s crevice attachment. This will work better in removing debris build-up in corners.
Wipe It Down
Most ceiling stains are indications of plumbing leaks. These are so widespread in the US that they waste about one trillion gallons of water each year. If you suspect those stains you see up on the ceiling are due to leaks, call a local Kansas City, MO plumber ASAP.
However, if you’re sure the stains are only stubborn grime, you can use a DIY cleaning solution. Mix some general cleaner, such as dishwashing soap, with some warm water. Use this to dampen a microfiber mop to wipe your ceiling.
Rinse your mop with clean water and give your ceiling another wipe down. Switch out your mop’s microfiber cloth with a new one to wipe your ceiling dry. So long as you dry things quickly, this technique should be safe for most ceiling types.
Keep Your Home Healthy By Maintaining a Clean Ceiling
There you have it, your guide to the proper steps on achieving a clean ceiling. It’s not impossible to do, but if you’re going to tackle it on your own, make sure you set aside at least half a day for the job. Longer if you’re going to clean all the ceilings in your entire house.
You can also simply schedule your Kansas City house for professional cleaning. Our team here at Two Gals & A Broom can take over cleaning your whole home for you. Send us a message now, and we’ll be happy to help make your home sparkling clean from top to bottom!
