House Cleaning Tips to Alleviate Allergies

Who else’s allergies have been horrible lately? There are days we’d do anything for a little relief! With a few easy house cleaning practices, you can actually help alleviate allergies. Here are some cleaning tips to allergy-proof your home.

Keep Your Bedding Clean

Bedding, sheets, pillows, and mattresses win the prize for number one breeding ground for dust mites. Ew. Launder your sheets and bedding as often as you can with hot water. The temperature needs to be at least 130° to kill those unruly, little mites. They even sell dust-proof covers for mattresses and pillows, which can be huge life-savers! Another tip – As hard as it may be, don’t let your pets on your bed. It might be sad, but your nose will thank you!

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

Run the Vacuum Often

Those pesky little allergen particles collect in carpets and rugs. We are constantly tracking them in from outside and then parading them around our homes. Vacuuming 1-2 times a week will help control allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. We also recommend getting a HEPA filter for your vacuum to make sure even the smallest particles don’t escape!

But here’s the kicker. If you’re the one with allergies, DON’T vacuum! Call in reinforcements! As you vacuum, it’s inevitable that you’ll blow some allergens into the air which will end in a sneezing fit. Ask a family member to do the vacuuming, especially during times when your symptoms are heightened.

**COMMON MISTAKE**

Although shampooing your carpets or using heavy cleaners makes your carpet smell fresh and clean, they could actually make your allergies WORSE! The leftover moisture often causes mold growth or an increase in dust mites.

Clear Floors and Surfaces

Clutter can come in many forms; piles of laundry, strung out toys, decorative knick knacks, shelves of books. No matter how near and dear to your heart some of this “clutter” is, putting it away will help alleviate allergies. How? All surfaces present a home 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 BOOM – 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 bathe. 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 the delightful perfumes in detergents, cleaners and soaps; However, these same perfumes can be a trigger for allergies. Go with fragrance-free cleaning and laundry products when you can. 

Let the Dryer Do Its Job

We’ve had some beautiful 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? Right? Well, air drying clothes just invites pollen, dust and mold to set up camp in your clothes. Stay inside and stick with the dryer to help alleviate allergies.

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