Don’t let pet, dust, mold or pollen allergies make your miserable in your own home. Take a few steps to reduce indoor allergies with these suggestions.
AIR FILTERS
For daytime air filtration, use allergy air filters in your home. These are designed to block much smaller particles, keeping your indoor air cleaner. Replace filters every 6 weeks.
During the night, use a water-based air purifier in your home. Add ingredients like eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree and oregano oils to the water and adjust the air filter so that it directs clean air toward your head when you sleep.
BEDDING
Encase mattress, box frame, and pillows in dust-mite proof covers. Wash bedding at least once per week in hot water (130 F) or using the allergy setting on your washing machine. Replace wool or feather bedding with hypoallergenic, dust mite fighting materials like silk, microfiber, or organic cotton. Invest in a latex or memory foam bed (their density leaves very little room for bacteria growth). Vacuum your mattress using a UV light vacuum frequently. Shower before going to bed to remove bacteria, dead skin cells, dander, or pollen that has collected on your body throughout the day.
BLINDS
Dust your blinds weekly and wet clean them twice a year. You may also purchase washable, roller-style blinds. Whenever cleaning your blinds, both wash and dry your blinds to prevent allergens from attaching to the surface. Go over your blinds with a dryer sheet to help repel dust.
CABINETS & DOOR FRONTS
Spot clean cabinets weekly and deep clean them with detergent and water every three months. Pay extra attention to places on cabinet fronts where dust tends to settle.
CEILING FANS
Ceiling fans collect a large amount of dust due to the static electricity that builds up when they are turned on and off. It is highly recommended to clean your ceiling fans at least once a week to reduce indoor allergies.
CLOTHES DRYER
Clothes dryers produce lint with every load. Clean your dryer lint trap after every cycle. Make sure to clean your dryer ducts at least twice a year to clear them of lint as well. Try to reduce humidity in your laundry room/area. Open a window or invest in a dehumidifier or fan for the area. Be sure to check that your dryer vent hose is not loose or damaged as that will produce excess heat and humidity.
CLUTTER
Remove items that collect dust such as knickknacks, books and magazines.
COUNTERS
Wipe down countertops daily using an all-purpose cleaner. Alternatively, use all-natural sprays such as a mixture of vinegar and salt to reduce allergic responses.
CURTAINS
Take care when purchasing curtains and blinds for your home. It is recommended to have washable curtains and clean them routinely.
FIREPLACES
Deter from having or using a wood burning fireplace. The smoke and the smell created from burning wood can worsen indoor allergies. Instead, choose a natural gas burning stove or fireplace.
FLOORING
Hard flooring such as vinyl, hardwood, or tile is the easiest to clean. Simply sweep and mop each week. As with countertops, using all-natural cleaners reduces allergic reactions even more than using all-purpose cleaners. Vacuum carpets weekly and have them professionally steam cleaned at least once per year.
FOOD WASTE
Keep waste in a bug safe trash can, take trash out daily. Ensuring you have minimal crumbs in the trash will keep rodents and roaches at bay.
PETS
If your allergies and health are being affected by your pets you might want to consider rehoming those precious babies. If that is not an option, it is important to keep them out of your bedroom so that the room remains free from any lingering pet hair or dander. Maintain a regular pet grooming schedule.
PLANTS
If you have potted plants, it is highly recommended to put aquarium gravel over the top of the soil to redirect allergies. Vacuum or dust faux plants weekly.
REFRIGERATOR
The refrigerator is another place for mold to thrive due to excess moisture. Be sure to wipe away excess moisture and throw away expired food weekly to combat mold. To deep clean, empty the entire shelf, clean with an all-purpose cleaner, and wipe off food containers before putting them back on the shelf.
SHOWER & TUB
Use mildew-fighting or bleach sprays to get rid of mold and mildew on faucets, tub interior and exterior, shower walls, and shower curtains. For a more all-natural clean, a vinegar solution can be used in these areas. Make sure you have good ventilation while cleaning small spaces like bathrooms as cleaners will create fumes. Replace shower curtain liners every six months.
SINK
Like showers and tubs, removing mildew from the sink surfaces is important. A vinegar solution, mildew-fighting spray, or bleach spray are all good options. Kitchen sinks should be washed with dish soap daily to remove build up and reduce mold growth. Check under sink cabinets for plumbing leaks, the earlier leaks are caught the sooner you can fight against mold and mildew build up.
STOVE
Clean stove tops using a baking soda and water paste. Clean the vent filters every two to three months to remove trapped particles. Be sure that your exhaust fan is installed properly to reduce fumes and moisture. Clean debris off the stovetop daily.
TOILET
Clean toilets regularly with bleach products. Be sure to check for any plumbing leaks to combat mold growth.
TOYS
Store children’s toys in plastic bins. Hand wash stuffed animals or wash on a gentle cycle. Items that are used daily should be cleaned every week.
UPHOLSTERY
As with mattresses, couches and other upholstered furniture should be vacuumed and cleaned regularly. Wash removable upholstery covers in hot water and air dry. To deep clean couches, steam at temperatures above 130 degrees F.
WALLS
Dust walls top to bottom working and left to right using a mixture of dish soap, water, and distilled vinegar. Test the solution on a small area first to be sure your paint will withstand the solution.
WINDOWS
Clean windows with a solution of vinegar and water to remove dust and leave a streak-free shine.