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Entry bubble Allergy Proof your Home

By: Colleen | August 26, 2009 | Category: Health

My sister always jokes that the clearest memories she has of her childhood are not being able to breathe. allergy

Unfortunately inheriting a heap of allergies from my Dad, the poor girl spent years with a chronic case of stuffy-nose. My parents sent her to the allergist, but anything short of having her live in a bubble didn't really help. Luckily, as time wore on, she outgrew the worst of them, but still deals with her allergies today.

For allergy sufferers like my sister, fall is often the worst time of year. Here are some suggestions to keep your home as allergy free as possible.

  • Clear your home of clutter. Stacks of "stuff" are ideal homes for dust mites, bugs, mold, and mice.
  • Vacuum weekly. Dust mites and pet dander are most often in rugs and carpets.
  • Wash your bedding in 130 degree water weekly.
  • Banish bathroom mold by spraying walls with chlorine-bleach solution (1 once of bleach to 1 quart H2O).
  • Keep mold out of the house by keeping shoes clean of wet leaves.
  • Store damp firewood in a separate dry place.
  • Empty your garbage often.
  • Shut windows between 10am and 3pm when pollen counts are at their peak.
  • Change AC and heater filters monthly.
  • Wash your dirty dishes right after eating.
  • Don't leave pet food or water out overnight.
  • Keep dogs and cats out of the bedroom and off furniture.
  • Wash and brush your pets outside to cut down on pet dander.
  • Dust weekly.
  • Fix plumbing leaks and drips.
  • Keep home temperature below 70 degrees - creepy crawlies dislike colder temperatures.

What secrets or suggestions do you have for keeping an allergy-free home? Do certain techniques tend to work better than others?

 

 

| View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: allergies   allergy   clean   colleen   fall   home  

Comments (6):

blue comment bubble Posted by light allergy sufferer on August 26, 2009 at 06:32 AM EDT

i find that when my allergies start, that i can push them back a little by using my trusty neti-pot to remove built up allergens in my sinus cavities. sometimes 1 rinse (once in each side of the nose) is enough to get past the particular offending allergen of the day. Besides, salt water is cheap!

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blue comment bubble Posted by http://www.advernation.com on August 26, 2009 at 10:25 PM EDT

great with all the allergies going around this is a great guide to do a step by step allergy proofing on your home

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blue comment bubble Posted by phoenix carpet cleaning on August 27, 2009 at 02:15 AM EDT

As a phoenix carpet cleaning person these are interesting tips, Good job.

http://www.theapexcc.com

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blue comment bubble Posted by Arlene on August 27, 2009 at 03:48 PM EDT

I also use the neti pot and it works well for me. I usually take my shoes off at the door, so you don't track pollen or dust or dirt from your shoes. And it's better to shower in the evening - so you wash the allergens off before getting into bed.

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blue comment bubble Posted by AccessLocksmith.NET on August 28, 2009 at 10:12 PM EDT

Here are some tips for the kitchen.

1. Stove: Use an exhaust fan over the stove to remove cooking fumes.

2. Cabinets/Counters: Keep under-sink cabinets and countertops clean and dry. When cleaning, use a disinfectant cleaner designed to kill mildew.

3. Refrigerator: Wipe up excessive moisture in the refrigerator to avoid mold growth. Clean refrigerator walls and shelves regularly with a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water.

Also if it were me, I would get rid of carpet all together.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Mike Orme on October 24, 2009 at 04:15 PM EDT

OK just a little bit of clarification about rugs and carpets.

Yes they will be a big source of allergens, but don't think of removing them.

They attract all these nasties that would otherwise end up floating up your nose. They act like a filter for your home.

Vacuum with a HEPA filter vac. and have them professionally cleaned every 12 months.

www.carpetcleaning-somerset.co.uk

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