By Special to the Town Crier

Regular housework may do more than lead to a neat home - it can lead to a cleaner bill of health.

Even though 95 percent of Americans surveyed described the air in their homes as “clean and healthy,” studies show that indoor air pollution is actually one of the top five environmental risks to public health, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The agency estimates that indoor levels of many pollutants may be two to five times, and occasionally 100 times higher, than outdoor levels. This according to experts is where household cleaning can help.

A vacuum cleaner can help remove dust, most allergens and other irritants from surfaces you vacuum. An efficient vacuum filter will help prevent particles from re-entering the atmosphere after they’ve been collected in the vacuum.

Try these cleaning tips:

Top to bottom: As a rule, clean from top to bottom. Dust the highest things in the room first and work your way down.

Watch out for traffic: Vacuum high traffic areas at least once a week. Pass the vacuum at least four times over the same area. It may look clean after one pass, but it’s important to be sure all the microscopic particles have been collected.

Filtering out the dirt: Vacuum filters are important for a number of reasons. An efficient filter traps fine particles without restricting airflow. Also, an efficient filter enhances the performance of a vacuum and protects it from premature wear.