These 5 Simple Cleaning Tips Will Give You An Allergy-Free Home

Sniffling, sneezing and watery eyes are all common symptoms of allergies that more than 50 millions American’s experience every year. Seeing as the average person spends 90% of their time indoors, it could be beneficial to turn your attention to your home to help combat these symptoms. Your house could be responsible for harbouring allergens; dust, pollen, animal fur and mold are the most common house allergens. Thankfully, with a few simple steps, you can get rid of nasty allergens and say goodbye to allergic reactions and symptoms.

Although your cleaning routine may appear to be satisfactory, allergy sufferers should look to clean their house at least once a week to make it more effective against irritants. Break up the chores so that you can spend time each day on one particular cleaning task. Stock up on cleaning supplies that will help reduce allergens, and replace old cloths, dusters and mops that could be harbouring more allergens than you are hoping to get rid of.

Your bed sheets can collect human and pet hair, dust, pollen and a lot of other matter, so it is important to wash your bedding regularly to avoid a build up of allergens. For optimal results, wash your sheets in a gentle, fragrance-free detergent at 130F once a week. For added protection, you can use anti-allergy mattress and pillow protectors.

Dust and pollen can become trapped in carpets, so give them a weekly vacuumusing HEPA filters for maximum effect against allergens. Some allergens are so small that they are missed by standard vacuum filters, and end up back in the air. By using a microfiber or damp cloth you will actually collect the air; other cloths will simply push the dust around, sending back into the air that you breathe, which could trigger allergic reactions or asthma. Ideally, you should dust once a week, although you may find that your house requires more frequent dusting depending on where you live.

Curtains or drapes can trap particles, particularly in summer months when windows are left open. You should wash them frequently to remove any specs that could cause a reaction. A better alternative would be wooden blinds, although you will still have to dust and clean these once a month using a microfiber cloth or a blind-cleaner.

Bathrooms may seem unlikely places for allergens to thrive, however damp conditions can be breeding grounds for mold, which can cause sensitivity and irritation. Wipe down bathroom walls and floors with a microfiber cloth after each bath or shower and leave doors wide open to circulate air. Pull shower curtains all the way back to give your shower some added air-flow. Clean and wipe down surfaces to keep dust at bay when the bathroom is dry.

These simple tips will help you to protect you from allergens and allergic reactions in the home, creating a happy and allergy-free environment for the whole family.