Ways to clean to decrease exposure to lead in dust

Cleaning hard surfaces

Mop floors once a week with soapy water

Clean window sills and the area around the windows once a week with soapy water

Use paper towels or set aside a sponge for lead cleaning only

Use separate buckets for wash and rinse water

Lightly spray floors with water before sweeping

Seal wood floors to provide a smooth, easy-to-clean surface

Put a blanket or rug on bare floors where children play

Keep children and their clothes and toys away from windows

Open double-hung windows from the top

Cleaning carpeted surfaces

Use a HEPA* vacuum for cleaning if possible, or

- Use a "HEPA-type" or "allergy" filter bag, or

- Lightly coat new vacuum bags by spreading and vacuuming flour or cornstarch

Use a vacuum with an agitator head

Be thorough when you vacuum

When steam cleaning carpets, consider adding Calgon to the cleaning solution. (It has a chemical that can improve cleaning.)

Be careful when removing older carpets that already have a lot of lead dust trapped in them

* High-efficiency particulate air.

Adapted from: Environmental Protection Agency. Additional information available at: http://www.epa.gov/lead/.

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