3 Cleaning Secrets That Every Allergy-Sufferer Needs

For people with chronic allergies, a clean house is a must-have. What many people don’t know is that traditional cleaning methods may not be effective enough to reduce allergens and might even aggravate allergies instead of easing them. That’s why we’re going to talk about 3 golden pieces of cleaning knowledge specifically for those in need of a more hypoallergenic home.

Following this advice will help reduce the amount of pollen, mold spores, dust, and dander in your home that trigger annoying and uncomfortable allergy symptoms.

1. Invest in a well-sealed, quality vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

HEPA filters are designed to capture finer particles that would escape a normal vacuum cleaner. This makes them effective at trapping pet hair, dander, pollen, and even dust mites.

However, it isn’t enough for a vacuum cleaner to simply have a HEPA filter. If a vacuum cleaner leaks or if its gasket doesn’t seal properly, some of the particles being sucked up by the vacuum will escape back out into your air supply, making the HEPA filter useless.

In short, investing in a well-made vacuum cleaner can make a world of difference when it comes to trapping allergens.

2. Wash all of your bed linens weekly in water that’s at least 130 F.

The warm, humid environment of your bed makes it an inviting home for dust mites, as does the dander that collects on your bed linens. Dust mites feed primarily on human and pet dander, and they can cause allergic symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, itchy eyes, and itchy throat.

Simply washing your bed linens will not be enough to remove these parasites. The water must be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to actually kill dust mites. It’s also wise to invest in dust-mite-proof covers for your pillows, mattress, and box spring.

3. Use your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to reduce moisture.

A moist environment welcomes mold growth, which in turn leads to more mold spores that can pollute your indoor air. Run your bathroom fan for 45 minutes to an hour after showering. Run your kitchen fan while cooking and for at least 15 minutes after cooking. Not only will your kitchen fan help eliminate excess moisture, but it will also help remove harmful byproducts produced by your oven and stove while in use.