House Cleaning Tips to Help Alleviate Allergies

Who has had issues with allergies lately? There are days we’d do just about anything for a little relief! With a few easy house cleaning practices, you can actually help alleviate allergies, and every little bit helps! Here are some cleaning tips to help allergy-proof your home.

Keep Your Bedding Clean

Bedding, sheets, pillows, and mattresses win the prize for the number one breeding ground for dust mites. Ugh. Launder your sheets and bedding as often as you can in hot water. The temperature needs to be hot to kill those pesky little mites. Consider purchasing a dust-proof cover for your mattresses and pillows. These can actually help!

Another tip, and we know this one may be easier said than done: try to avoid letting your pets on your bed. It might be sad, but your nose will thank you in the long run!

The runner-up for dust mite collectors might just be stuffed animals. Those fuzzy friends get taken to all kinds of places and are rarely washed. Find a time when your child won’t notice, and stick them in the washer. 

Run the Vacuum Often

Those little allergen particles collect in carpets and rugs. We are constantly tracking them in from outside and then spreading them around our homes. Vacuuming a few times times a week will help control allergens, such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.

But, here’s a quick note: If you’re the one with allergies, you should not be the one to vacuum! Call in help to get this task done (you can thank us later for this)! 😉 As you vacuum, it’s inevitable that you’ll blow some allergens into the air which will end in a sneezing and coughing fit. Ask a family member to do the vacuuming, especially during times when your symptoms are heightened.

Clear Floors and Surfaces

Clutter can come in many forms – piles of laundry, toys everywhere, decorative knick-knacks, shelves of books, etc. No matter how near and dear to your heart some of this “stuff” is, putting it away will help alleviate allergies. How? All surfaces present a landing spot for bugs and dust. Take away the amount of stuff in your home, and you’ll have less dusting to do. On the same note, swap out fabric or upholstered surfaces for hard surfaces like plastic, glass, or wood that can easily be wiped clean.

Be On Guard Against Bathroom Mold

It happens faster than you think. A wet surface, a warm, muggy room, a little time, and you’ve got mold. Scrub your bathroom surfaces often, including your shower curtain. It may even be easier to use a shower curtain that is machine washable. Another tip to keep your shower and tub mold-free is to squeegee or dry the surfaces after you each use. Getting rid of that leftover water in a timely manner is a great way to slow down mold and mildew. 

Use the Right Laundry Soap

Many of us love fragrant perfumes in detergents, cleaners and soaps; however, these same perfumes can trigger one’s allergies. Go with fragrance-free cleaning and laundry products when you can. 

Let the Dryer Do Its Job

We’ve had some beautiful (HOT!) summer days, so it might be tempting to go out and hang some clothes on the clothesline. Why not save a little on the energy bill and enjoy the pretty weather? Air-drying clothes invites pollen, dust and mold to set up camp in your clothes and linens. Stay inside and stick with the dryer to help alleviate allergies.

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