Allergies can make a sufferer miserable and when irritants infiltrate the home, there’s no respite. One out of five Americans suffer from allergies, and if one parent has allergies, there is a 1-in-3 chance their child will be allergy-prone as well, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The most common indoor allergens are pet dander, pollen, mold, dust mites and cockroaches. If you have an allergy sufferer in your family, it’s vital to clean allergens from your home.
Step 1
Vacuum once or twice a week using a high efficiency particle air, or HEPA, vacuum cleaner to remove dust, pet dander and other allergens from your floors and furniture.
Step 2
Encase your mattress, box springs and pillows with dust mite-proof covers and wash all bedding and stuffed toys once a week in water that is at least 130 degrees F.
Step 3
Close all windows to prevent entry of both pollen and of humid air, which encourages dust mite growth.
Step 4
Keep moisture to a minimum in the kitchen and bath, where mold is most likely to grow. Make sure the sinks and tub or shower are wiped dry with disposal paper towels or an old terrycloth towel after each use. If using an old towel, wash it often.
Step 5
Control cockroaches with bait traps or boron instead of spraying chemical agents that can further aggravate allergies.
Step 6
Cover air duct vents with allergen covers or cheesecloth to prevent allergens from being distributed throughout the home.
