GUEST POST BY JENNA LEE SMITH
Protect Your Family’s Health with an Allergy-Proof Home
Allergies occur when your body reacts to an external substance, like dust or mold, as if it were a dangerous pathogen. When the substance enters your body, your immune system activates to surround, contain and destroy it. This immune response causes swelling, itching, and sneezing. It can also cause breathing problems, like asthma.
Allergies are hereditary, but anyone can develop an allergy at any time. If you, or anyone in your family, has allergies, you can take steps to make your home environment as hypoallergenic as possible.
Bedroom:
The bedroom has its own criteria because most of them have a lot of cloth and upholstered surfaces that can trap dust, mold, and allergen producing dust mites.
Because we spend a lot of time in our bedrooms, and it is one of the places where exposure to allergens is the greatest.
Here are 3 suggestions of how to stay on top of the dust and mold;
1. Change your bed sheets at least once a week and use dust-mite proof pillow, mattress and box spring covers.
2. Wash your blankets in hot water at least once a week, to remove any dust, dander or other allergens.
Use bedding made of synthetic materials, instead of natural materials that can trigger allergies, like goose down.
3. If you use natural bedding, make sure it is marked hypoallergenic. You can find hypoallergenic bedding at specialty stores, or at regular department stores, like Nordstrom’s. Some hypoallergenic bedding can be expensive. You can defray the costs with Nordstrom promo codes, or discount codes to other stores that carry these products.
Entire House
1. Vacuum your carpet every week and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Better yet, remove the carpet entirely and use throw rugs instead.
2. Use a dehumidifier to reduce levels of mold-causing moisture in your home.
3. Clean and dust all floors and hard surfaces at least once a week.
4. Keep your windows closed in warm weather, to prevent mold and dust from blowing in.
5. Avoid upholstered furniture in favor of wood, vinyl or leather.
6. Change your furnace and air conditioner filters at least once per season. If you have a permanent filter, clean the filter per the manufacturer’s instructions at least once per season.
Insects and other pests can trigger allergies. If you suspect you have an infestation, take steps to remove it either on your own, or with a professional exterminator. Keep in mind that some pesticides can trigger allergies so, if you have to use an exterminator, consider staying somewhere else for a few days after the house is treated.
Avoid fur-bearing pets. Not only do fur bearing pets have dander that can cause allergies, their coats can trap dust, pollen, and mold spores.
If you already have fur-bearing pets, bathe them at least once a week. You should also clean their bedding, and vacuum up all hair and dander several times a week. Consider keeping them outside during warmer weather.
Use washable curtains or shades, instead of blinds which can trap dust. If you must have blinds, dust them and wipe them down with a damp cloth.
Install a UV light onto your air conditioning system to prevent mold growth.
You can purchase UV lights from specialty companies like CureUV. You can also find other types of UV lights designed to cut down on mold and microbial growth, both of which can cause allergies. Some UV light systems can be expensive but you can save money with CureUV coupons and discount codes. These coupons and codes are available online.
Keeping your home allergy-friendly is difficult, but it’s well worth the effort.
To read about “20 Kickass Plants to Purify your home”, click here.
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