The Allergy-Sufferer’s Guide to Housekeeping
If you live with allergies, you know how hard it is to just be symptom-free. The runny nose, the watery eyes, and the itchy throat are feelings you know all too well. During the winter, dry, stale, indoor air might leave you suffering. In the spring, you might contend with everything that’s blooming outside (even making its way indoors). Summertime home improvement projects stir everything up that’s been dormant in your home, while gardening might wreak its own kind of havoc. In the fall, there’s no avoiding the allergens swirling in the air as they literally pour down from the trees. At the very least, you want to be comfortable inside your own home. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to keep your home clean, fresh, and fairly allergen-free all year round.
- Vacuum and change out your vacuum bags often.It’s important to vacuum often, but it’s even more important to use the right bags and filters in your vacuum. For starters, make sure you’re using a HEPA filter. Allergens are so small that they can pass right through a regular filter. This means that you may just be sucking allergens off the floor and spreading them into the air. Try Arm & Hammer Premium Allergen Synthetic Bags, which retain up to 100 percent of debris and pollen, plus particles 15 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair! Baking soda particles neutralize odors, releasing clean, odor-free air into your home as you vacuum. Get them at Walmart or on Walmart.com.
- Implement a ‘no shoes in the house' policy. This will keep outside allergens from spreading inside.
- Skip shampooing the carpets. Leftover moisture in the carpets could actually cause mold to grow.
- Limit clutter.The more clutter you have, the more places for dust to become trapped. Don’t give dust mites and other bugs anywhere to hide. Especially steer clear of paper and cardboard.
- Keep your bathroom mold-free.Scrub the tile weekly and wash your shower curtain in hot water and bleach. Use your bathroom’s fan after every shower.
- Wash your bedding weekly in hot water.Dust mites are killed at 130 F. Don’t forget your bed skirt and any coordinating linens, like drapes. If your kids have allergies, you’ll want to do the same with their stuffed animals.
- Vacuum your bed. While your sheets are in the washer, vacuum the bed and then put an allergen-reducing mattress pad on it. Invest in allergen-reducing pillow cases as well.
- Wear a mask when you clean. It may seem excessive, but you’re stirring up a lot of dust and allergens as you clean. Wear a mask and leave the house for a few hours afterward to let any remaining allergens settle.
- Keep your bathroom mold-free.Scrub the tile weekly and wash your shower curtain in hot water and bleach.
- Wash your bedding weekly in hot water.Dust mites are killed at 130 F. If your kids have allergies, you’ll want to do the same with their stuffed animals.
- Avoid scented cleaners and detergents.Fragrances can trigger symptoms, so opt for fragrance-free products whenever possible.
- Use a damp cloth when cleaning. This will trap allergens instead of stirring them up into the air. For this reason (if no other) mop the floors, too.
So suffer no more! Pick up a pack of Arm & Hammer Premium Allergen Synthetic Bags and a coordinating HEPA filter from Walmart, then implement these simple housekeeping tips so you can breathe easier.
Pro tip: it is recommended to change vacuum bags every 1-2 months and vacuum filters every 3-6 months!
What housekeeping practices do you use to keep allergies at bay?
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