Here are some DO’S and DON’TS to help you reduce or prevent your family’s exposure to lead dust.
Cleaning Hard Floors
-Do use:
- Damp mopping, with standard sponge or string type mops and an all-purpose cleaner.
- Standard vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter if no visible dust or debris from chipping or flaking paint is present.
-Don’t use:
- Mops with a scrubber strip attached.
- Powered buffing or polishing machines, or vacuums with beater bars that may wear away the painted surface.
Cleaning Carpets and Rugs
-Do use:
- Wet scrubbing or steam cleaning methods to remove stains.
- Standard vacuum cleaners with HEPA filter if no visible dust or debris from chipping or flaking paint is present.
-Don’t use:
- Dry sweeping of surface dust and debris.
- Shaking or beating of carpets and rugs.
Cleaning or Dusting Walls and other Painted Surfaces
-Do use:
- Soft, dampened, disposable cloths with an all-purpose cleaner.
-Don’t use:
- Steel wool, scouring pads, and abrasive cleaners.
- Solvent cleaners that may dissolve paint.
- Excessive rubbing of spots to remove them.