BeJane.com, April 15th, 2007
Dear Jane,
My kids have terrible allergies. What can I do around the house to ease their suffering this season?
Thanks,
Mary D.
Dear Mary,
While all the allergy-proofing in the world won’t completely eliminate your kids’ symptoms, there are many steps you can take to drastically reduce allergens in the home. Studies have proven that the air inside the home is frequently dirtier than that outside, which can spell trouble for people with allergies or asthma. Here’s what you can do:
1) Get Rid of the Carpeting
Carpeting keeps the room warm and cozy, but it’s also a net for trapping allergens. Dust mites, mold and pollen get caught in carpet fibers and therefore trigger allergies. Vacuuming frequently can help, but people with severe allergies should consider ripping up the carpet and replacing it with hardwood, tile, linoleum, or any hard surface flooring.
2) Install Shades
Dust and dirt tend to collect on blinds which are difficult to clean. Maintaining your privacy may be better achieved through washable roll-up shades.
Shades are as easy to install as blinds and are relatively inexpensive. Go for a cotton or synthetic fabric that you can remove and throw into the washing machine. To kill dust mites, you’ll want to wash the textiles frequently and in hot water (about 130 degrees.)
3) Rethink Your Air System
When you turn on the heat or air conditioning, air isn’t the only thing that comes out—dust particles do, too. To keep dust at bay, cover the vents with cheesecloth or mesh. Also, change out your air filters regularly (every three months).
Allergy experts also recommend using an air purifier to help relieve symptoms. Purifiers, especially those equipped with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arrestor) filter, help rid the air of allergens and pollutants, but don’t heat or cool the air.
4) Bid Farewell to Junk
Clutter generates dust so, if you were ever thinking about going minimalist, here is the perfect excuse to do it now. Get rid of any old books, magazines or children’s toys that are no longer being used. Ultimately, you are looking for clean, bare walls, shelves and tables. If you can’t bear to part with some of your belongings, store them in the garage or a storage unit. (For those stuffed animals that must stay, wash them in hot water or stick them in the freezer for a couple of hours to kill dust mites).
5) Clean Regularly
Cleaning religiously is a vital part of controlling allergies. If you can’t replace your wall-to-wall carpeting, make sure to vacuum weekly. There are HEPA-filter vacuums available that prevent dust and dirt from becoming airborne while you vacuum. Still, people with severe asthma or allergic reactions to dust should not be operating the vacuum, so have someone else do it for you.
We hope this helps. Good luck!
Hugs n’ hammers,
Jane
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