Helpful House Cleaning Tips for Allergy Sufferers

 Helpful House Cleaning Tips for Allergy Sufferers

If you or a loved one suffers from year-round allergies or asthma, there are certain things you can do to help eliminate allergens in your home. Regular weekly home cleanings will remove common allergens like dust and dander, but, even the act of cleaning can trigger symptoms when dust and other allergens get stirred up. Allergy sufferers with symptoms such as sneezing, skin rashes, or breathing problems can also react to chemicals found in some cleaning products. While the chemicals themselves may not be the cause of a true allergic reaction, they can cause many of the same symptoms and make existing allergies worse.

Common ingredients found in cleaning agents that can make allergy symptoms worse

When using cleaning products in your home, check the ingredients list for these common irritants:

• Ammonia is found in many household cleaning products such as window and toilet cleaners. It’s often used because it can disinfect, cut through grease, and clean without streaking. But, in higher concentrations, ammonia can be toxic and If it comes into contact with skin or eyes, it can cause severe burns and permanent eye damage. Even the fumes produced by ammonia can be extremely irritating and have been shown to increase the risk of developing asthma and rhinitis (inflammation of the nose). People with allergies and allergic asthma may want to avoid cleaning with ammonia all together.
• Bleach is another commonly used cleaning agent that can be toxic. It is important to read labels carefully as many household cleaning products contain bleach like toilet and bathroom cleaners and stain removers. The active ingredient in chlorine bleach is sodium hypochlorite. As with ammonia, skin contact with bleach can cause serious burns. If bleach gets in your eyes, it can cause permanent damage.  Bleach has also been associated with an increased risk of certain types of asthma and can cause asthma-like symptoms and chronic coughing.  
• Formaldehyde is a disinfectant and preservative that can be found in a surprising number of products such as baby powder, makeup, dishwashing liquid, and wood cleaner. Although many of these products don’t contain much formaldehyde, even the smallest amount can trigger reactions. Formaldehyde fumes have been associated with eye and lung irritation and are a common cause of skin allergies (contact dermatitis). Formaldehyde has also been listed as a known carcinogen by the U.S. National Toxicology Program. The American Contact Dermatitis Society has a handout that lists other names and where formaldehyde may be found.
• Sodium laureth sulfate is often used in cosmetics as a detergent and a foaming agent. Shampoos, shower gels, and facial cleansers often contain Sodium laureth sulfate.  It’s also found in household cleaning products like dish soap. For people with skin allergies or skin problems like eczema, sulfates can cause significant irritation. Sodium lauryl sulfate may be something that people with sensitive skin should avoid.
• D-limonene is a major component of citrus oils like orange, lemon, and lime. It’s used as a flavoring agent, a fragrance, and a solvent for cleaning products. While it’s generally considered safe for use, D-limonene has been associated with reactions in people including skin allergies and a possible increased risk of developing asthma. For most people, using products with D-limonene is safe, but it’s an ingredient worth paying attention to for anyone who suffers from allergies.   
• Triclosan is a germ-killing (antimicrobial agent) that was commonly used in soap products until banned by the Food and Drug Administration in 2016. It can still be found in relatively high-concentrations in toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and some laundry detergents. Triclosan has been associated with an increased risk of asthma and associated with hayfever. It’s also been associated with other health issues, such as reproductive and thyroid problems.

House cleaning tips for keeping allergies under control

• Vacuum once or twice a week. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. Some allergens are so small that they pass right through a regular vacuum filter. You could be sucking them off the floor and shooting them into the air you breathe.
• Get rid of excess clutter. Piles of boxes, clothing, and other items can trap dust and hide allergens like dust mites and cockroaches.
• Wear a mask when doing housework. When you are done cleaning, leave the house for a few hours, which will limit exposure to allergens kicked up into the air.
• Keep the bathroom free of mold. Scrub bathroom tile regularly. If you have a shower curtain, toss it in the washing machine once a month.
• Wash sheets weekly in hot water. At 130 F, water is hot enough to kill dust mites. If your child has allergies, you’ll want to do the same with any washable stuffed animals.
• Avoid using scented cleaners or detergents. The fragrances in cleaners can trigger allergy symptoms. Instead, look for unscented cleaners and use natural products like distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice for cleaning.
• Don’t hang laundry outside to dry. Items left outside to dry will pick up pollen and mold, so use the clothes dryer instead.
• Use microfiber cleaning cloths and mops: Microfiber attracts dust better than cotton or paper towels. Choose tools with removable heads that can be tossed in the washer for a thorough cleaning. Dampen mops and clean cloths lightly before using them to attract dust particles.
• Clean, sweep, or vacuum outside entryways. The cleaner the path, the less likely dust or pollen will get tracked inside your home.
• Ask another family member to take over some chores. It’s better if you avoid jobs like dusting or vacuuming altogether if you are allergic to dust mites.
• Bathe indoor pets and wash their bedding weekly.

Other changes to make at home

Although these are not cleaning tips, they will make cleaning easier and may help prevent allergy flare-ups.

• Avoid using rugs. Rugs and carpets can trap allergens. Having vinyl, tile, or hardwood floors reduces your exposure to triggers. Get smaller, washable rugs that you can toss into the laundry.
• Use dust-proof bedding. Use dust-proof covers on your mattress and pillows to keep dust mites out.
• Get rid of your drapes. They trap both dust and allergens.  
• Take your shoes off at the door. That way, pollens, and other triggers won’t get tracked inside your home.
• Maintain your laundry room machines. Check frequently for washer leaks to prevent mold growth and clean the lint filter after every dryer load.  
• Keep pets out of your bedroom. Don’t let your pets sleep on the bed if you have pet allergies.  
• Don’t allow smoking anywhere in your home.
• Use air-conditioning when it’s hot. Rather than open the windows, an air conditioner will filter the air and prevent dust, dirt, pollens, molds, and other allergens from getting inside.
• Use plastic bins with lids for basement storage. This will prevent collectibles from gathering dust and mildew growth since basements can be damp and dusty.
• Use the right type of vacuum for allergen reduction. A vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is the gold standard. HEPA filters trap as much as 99.97 percent of particulates that are 0.3 microns in size. These filters can trap common allergens like dust, mold spores, pet dander, and pollen.

Eliminating allergens in the bathroom, kitchen, living area, and bedroom

The bathroom – The most common allergens in bathrooms are mold and mildew. To remove mildew build-up, mix a solution of three parts water to one part bleach. Wear rubber gloves, and make sure the area is well-ventilated. Use a brush to scrub the affected areas and then rinse. To prevent additional mildew growth, towel-dry the tub or shower enclosure after every use and wash rugs, bathmats, and shower curtains frequently.

The kitchen – is a prime target for mold growth and insect droppings. To prevent mold and mildew growth, use a vented exhaust fan to reduce moisture. Regularly check the sink, refrigerator, and freezer for leaks. Clean the refrigerator and discard moldy or out-of-date food weekly and wipe down door seals, clean drip pans, and mop up spills and excess moisture.  Clean countertops and sink daily and wash dishes after every meal or place them in the dishwasher. Empty and clean cabinets and drawers to remove crumbs at least every other month and empty trash frequently to get rid of moldy food and droppings from pests.

The Living areas – should be cleaned at least weekly. Start cleaning at the top of the room so that dust and allergens drift down to be captured by a damp mop or vacuum. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures and then dust blinds and wash or vacuum drapes using the hand tools. Be sure to clean window sills, mantles, and any other horizontal surfaces.  Wipe down furniture to remove dust and vacuum upholstery. Finally, vacuum the carpet or damp mop floors. Wash any throw rugs. Artificial plants should be dusted weekly.  

The bedroom  – A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that more than 90% of U.S. bedrooms have three or more detectable allergens, and 73% have at least one allergen at elevated levels. The main offender is dust mites. According to William E. Berger, MD, a Mission Viejo, California-based allergist, “the average home can amass some 40 pounds of dust per year, and, because dust mites thrive in warm, dark, soft places and feed on shed skin cells, your bed is their prime breeding ground. That’s why you should change your sheets often.”

In addition, cover your mattresses, box springs, and pillows with certified allergen-barrier covers. Rethink the fabric headboard; if you like the look, consider leather or another material that you can wipe clean. Replace your pillows every two years because, after two years, 10% of the weight of your pillow can be from dead dust mites and their droppings. You can’t see them, but they are there. Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets weekly in hot, soapy water (130°F). Dry them in a hot dryer cycle. Vacuum your mattress weekly. Vacuum and clean your bedroom floors weekly. Replace your mattress every 10 years.  

Clean Nation Company

Do you have a busy schedule with little time left over for tasks like cleaning the house? If so, you may want to consider hiring a professional house cleaning service to clean for you, especially if you or a loved one has allergies or asthma.

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For more information about our comprehensive house cleaning services in Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Spokane, and Spokane Valley, or to schedule a cleaning visit, please give Clean Nation Company a call today at (509) 217-4729. Request a free online cleaning quote now!