Allergy-Proof Your Home
Find Relief from Everyday Household Allergies
Creating an allergy-friendly home requires a lot of effort; however, the results can enormously benefit you and your family. The potential list of to-do items can be daunting, so we’ve assembled the first line of action items that should be on your list.
Prevention is Better Than a Cure
Being proactive is the key to preventing mold growth in your home. Make sure to repair all sources of leaks, such as windows, roofs, and plumbing. Then, use a household vinegar solution to kill any visible mold. Finally, install and use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture accumulates. Do not plant trees or big bushes near the outside walls of your house, as they tend to draw in moisture, which can later cause mold and mildew problems. Using an air conditioner is a great way to keep outdoor allergens at bay while helping keep the humidity levels below 50%, which is necessary for mold and dust mite control.
Make sure that your bed and all bedding are made of natural materials, which are inhospitable to mold and dust mites. Our favorite natural materials include silk, wool, and cotton for bedding and latex for mattresses or pillows. Cover your mattress with a dust mite cover as the first line of defense against dust mite allergies. They are now available in high-quality cotton and are light, breathable, and supple to the touch. Dust mites feed on skin flakes, so by using a dust mite cover, you cut them off from their food source, eventually killing them.
Control Your Indoor Environment
Monitor the humidity in your house with a humidistat and use a dehumidifier in summer to prevent the growth of dust mites and mold. If you have a basement, a dehumidifier is necessary for mold control. Use a humidifier in winter to moisten the air to prevent nosebleeds and sinusitis. We recommend you wash your bedding once a week in 140° F water or steam clean it with a vapor steam cleaner to kill any accumulation of dust mites.
Use a high-grade furnace filter to eliminate air pollutants in your home. This will help reduce the dust and prevent larger particulates from accumulating. A good HEPA vacuum should also be part of your defense against allergens. Diligently vacuum-settled dust particles to prevent them from being disturbed and put back into the air where you could breathe them in. A first-class HEPA air purifier will trap the tiny lung-penetrating particles – the kind that causes problems once they get into your bloodstream. This is an absolute must-have for allergy sufferers.
It's also recommended that you clean up the clutter. Clear away the carpets, give away the knick-knacks, and minimize the surfaces on which dust collects. Use a vapor steam cleaner to rid your home of chemicals accumulated through years of cleaning with household chemicals. A vapor steam cleaner will sanitize your home so it is free of bacteria and other pollutants, leaving it smelling fresher than ever!
Use Common Sense
The air outside is usually better quality than the inside, so don’t forget to give your house a good airing out daily. We recommend opening the windows for at least an hour, then closing the windows and putting the air purifiers on high. Your air purifiers cannot work effectively if you keep the windows open.
Environmentally safe “wet cleaning” is now available as an alternative to dry cleaning clothes. We think it is worth the added expense. It’s recommended that you wash your hair at night during high pollen days, so the pollen does not drop onto your pillow at night where you can breathe it in. While we think it is possible for many people with allergies to live with pets, we think your bedroom should be a sanctuary. So, try to keep them out of there!
Maintain Healthy Home Practices
Vigilant maintenance is required to keep your home healthy. Remember to change or wash your furnace filters, clean your humidifier, change your air purifier filters on schedule, and change the bags and filters on your vacuum. Otherwise, all your hard work will be negated by recontamination. Do not expect your air purifier to absolve you from housekeeping. You will still need to dust with a damp microfiber cloth or vacuum accumulated dust from your floors by using a HEPA vacuum attachment at least twice a week.