Time to Act on Allergens

Options

Email to a Friend

Bookmark

Related Topics

f you have seasonal allergies, you don't need us to tell you spring has arrived.

Four of the most common allergy and asthma triggers are lurking right under your nose:

1) Animal dander

2) Dust and dust mites

Under the Microscope

Live Mold on Carpet Strand 450x

The mold is growing on skin flakes and

other organic dust

rather than the actual carpet strand.

Photo Courtesy of May Indoor Air Investigations

3) Mold and mildew

4) And that seasonal debutante, pollen.

article continues below ↓

Here's the dirt on cleaning away and preventing (when possible) asthma and allergy triggers in your home so you and your family can breathe easier.

For those with an asthmatic in the home: choose a scent-free cleaning product if possible. If you're the asthmatic, have someone else clean when possible; if it's a family member, try to clean when he or she will be out of the home for several hours. Finally, be sure to open the windows or turn on the fan while cleaning to minimize exposure to cleaning products.

Bedroom

This is a dust mite's home base, thanks to the proliferation of shed skin — a mite's favorite meal. Be especially diligent here.

Remove carpeting if asthma or dust allergies are severe.
Dust frequently with a damp cloth.
Vacuum weekly using a well-filtered vacuum cleaner.
Launder curtains regularly; better yet, replace curtains with shades.
Get rid of clutter, dust collectors and dust generators, such as magazines, knickknacks and stuffed animals, or store them in closed boxes or cloth bags.
Keep the closet door closed.
Launder sheets and pillows weekly in warm water; tumble dry. Blankets, comforters and mattress pads should be washed monthly.
Vacuum the mattress for at least two minutes twice monthly to reduce the dust and allergens in the mattress.
Keep furry or feathered pets out. If one takes a catnap on the bed, wash the bedding as soon as possible.

Kitchen

Mold and mildew are your biggest challenges here.

Keep under-sink cabinets and countertops clean and dry. Clean regularly using a disinfectant cleaner formulated to kill mildew.
Moisture inside the fridge makes it prime breeding ground for mold. Clean the walls and shelves regularly using a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water.
Wipe up water that accumulates in the crisper drawers, and clean them regularly.

Bathroom

The warm, wet environs are prime growing grounds for mold and mildew. To help prevent this growth, repair any leaks, use the exhaust fan after bathing, keep air circulating and keep the surfaces clean and dry.

Wash fabric shower curtains with detergent and liquid bleach (or the color-safe variety). If safe for the fabric, presoak heavily mildewed areas in 1/4 cup bleach and 1 gallon of water.
Vinyl shower curtains should be scrubbed with liquid bleach or a mildew remover before washing. Don't put them in the dryer.
After showering, sponge or squeegee dry the shower walls.
Keep the shower door or curtain open after use.
Clean shower stalls and bathtubs using a non-abrasive all-purpose or disinfectant cleaner.
Mold-and-mildew patrol requires a mildew remover. Use in a well-ventilated area; most shouldn't be used by an asthma sufferer. Disinfectant cleaners used two or three times a week will prevent mildew from getting a toehold in the future.

Living/Family Rooms

Here you'll often find a potpourri of dust and dust mites, animal dander, pollen and mold and mildew.

Vacuum weekly with an allergen-control vacuum - more often if you have a pet and during heavy allergy seasons. Make a minimum of six to eight passes over each area. Empty or replace the bag when it is half full. (Full bags result in less suction power, meaning a less-efficient vacuuming session.)
Area rugs should be used in front of all entryways to trap and hold dust and dirt and keep outdoor allergens away from living areas. Regularly shake them outdoors and away from open windows and your face. Launder them weekly.
Vacuum wood floors.
Dust regularly with a damp cloth or a dust-attracting cloth. (Dry dusting sends dust spiraling into the air and back down onto your surfaces.)
Launder curtains frequently to remove dust.
Clean window frames and sills regularly, looking out for condensation, mold and mildew.
Regularly wash soft, machine-washable toys.

Attic and Basement

Mold and mildew reside here happily, thanks to the usually warm, dark and moist atmosphere.

Store items in plastic boxes or closed cloth bags.
If mold and mildew are a recurring problem, use a dehumidifier to keep the relative humidity between 35 percent and 50 percent.

Pet Patrol

Keep pets out of your bedroom. Period. Keep pets outside, if feasible.
Brush pets regularly; bathe them weekly. (Check with your veterinarian about how to keep your pet's skin from drying. Dry skin increases the loss of skin scales, increasing allergens in the air.)
Launder your pet's bed or blanket weekly in warm water.
Keep the pet off upholstered furniture.
Place litter boxes, pet beds and cages away from places where an allergic family member spends time. Assign litter-box duty to a family member who is not allergic.