Must-Read Cleaning Tips for Allergy Sufferers
These keep-the-dust-down cleaning and decorating tips will help keep everyone breathing easier at home
If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, even the simplest daily routines can be a struggle. Nothing is easy when you suffer from asthma or can barely catch your breath between sneezes. Here’s how to minimise allergens in the home without making things worse by stirring up dust while you clean.
2. Get rid of carpets and drapes elsewhere in the house, if possible
Any material that can harbour dust mites (and can’t easily be washed in hot water) is a potential land mine for allergy sufferers. Wall-to-wall carpeting is one of the worst offenders; a better option is hard flooring plus small area rugs that can be laundered in hot water or dry-cleaned regularly. On windows, consider blinds or roller shades rather than curtains – or even bare windows where privacy is not a concern.
Any material that can harbour dust mites (and can’t easily be washed in hot water) is a potential land mine for allergy sufferers. Wall-to-wall carpeting is one of the worst offenders; a better option is hard flooring plus small area rugs that can be laundered in hot water or dry-cleaned regularly. On windows, consider blinds or roller shades rather than curtains – or even bare windows where privacy is not a concern.
3. Clean without stirring up more dust
Regular cleaning is one of the best ways to keep allergens under control at home, but when even the act of cleaning itself can cause allergies to flare up, it can be hard to know what to do. Try these tips to remove dust without sending it flying into the air:
Regular cleaning is one of the best ways to keep allergens under control at home, but when even the act of cleaning itself can cause allergies to flare up, it can be hard to know what to do. Try these tips to remove dust without sending it flying into the air:
- Use an electrostatic cloth or damp microfibre cloth to dust, not a feather duster.
- Use a high-quality vacuum with a HEPA filter (which traps nearly all of the dust particles sucked up rather than re-releasing them into the air), and vacuum frequently.
- Use a microfibre mop on hard-surface floors.
4. Use a HEPA filter with your central heating and cooling system too
HEPA filters aren’t just for vacuums – using one designed for your AC can also be a big help when it comes to keeping the air in your home clean and dust-free. A free-standing air purifier is not as effective, since this only cleans a portion of the air in your home, but can be a good alternative for renters. And while a crackling fire in the fireplace can be romantic, it also can spell trouble for those with allergies or asthma, so skip the fire (or if you must have one, choose a newer wood stove rather than an open fireplace).
HEPA filters aren’t just for vacuums – using one designed for your AC can also be a big help when it comes to keeping the air in your home clean and dust-free. A free-standing air purifier is not as effective, since this only cleans a portion of the air in your home, but can be a good alternative for renters. And while a crackling fire in the fireplace can be romantic, it also can spell trouble for those with allergies or asthma, so skip the fire (or if you must have one, choose a newer wood stove rather than an open fireplace).
5. Cut down on knick-knacks that can collect dust
The less there is to clean around, the more likely you are to get into all the corners and crevices of your home while cleaning (and the faster cleaning will go). If you love collections, try to find places to store them where they are protected from dust – behind the doors of a glass-front cabinet, for instance.
Prized collections: the art of gathering
The less there is to clean around, the more likely you are to get into all the corners and crevices of your home while cleaning (and the faster cleaning will go). If you love collections, try to find places to store them where they are protected from dust – behind the doors of a glass-front cabinet, for instance.
Prized collections: the art of gathering
6. Choose furniture with washable slipcovers (or leather)
Large upholstered pieces can be home to populations of dust mites (yuck, I know), so doing what you can to keep these big pieces clean can be a big help for allergy sufferers. Leather furniture is ideal because it can be easily wiped clean, while washable slipcovers are a good runner-up. Just remember, the slipcovers must be either dry-cleaned or washed in hot water in order to kill dust mites – a warm water wash won’t do the trick.
Large upholstered pieces can be home to populations of dust mites (yuck, I know), so doing what you can to keep these big pieces clean can be a big help for allergy sufferers. Leather furniture is ideal because it can be easily wiped clean, while washable slipcovers are a good runner-up. Just remember, the slipcovers must be either dry-cleaned or washed in hot water in order to kill dust mites – a warm water wash won’t do the trick.
7. Keep humidity levels low in your home
Dust mites, mildew and moulds all thrive in higher humidity levels. The recommendation is to keep the humidity below 50 per cent in your home if possible; using a dehumidifier can help. Also, make sure your bathroom is well ventilated: turn on the fan during showers and leave it on for 20 minutes afterward to clear out any steam. If your bathroom doesn’t have a fan (or if the fan doesn’t seem to remove all steam) leave a window cracked open during showers. And be sure to treat any mould or mildew promptly and thoroughly.
Dust mites, mildew and moulds all thrive in higher humidity levels. The recommendation is to keep the humidity below 50 per cent in your home if possible; using a dehumidifier can help. Also, make sure your bathroom is well ventilated: turn on the fan during showers and leave it on for 20 minutes afterward to clear out any steam. If your bathroom doesn’t have a fan (or if the fan doesn’t seem to remove all steam) leave a window cracked open during showers. And be sure to treat any mould or mildew promptly and thoroughly.
8. Limit your pet’s access to soft furnishings
If you share your home with a furry friend, consider setting some limits when it comes to access. Your pooch may not like it, but keeping your bedroom off-limits can help keep your sleeping space cleaner (so you can breathe easier). Using machine-washable covers on all your soft furnishings is also a must; wash these at least once weekly in hot water.
Browse bedrooms featuring animal prints
If you share your home with a furry friend, consider setting some limits when it comes to access. Your pooch may not like it, but keeping your bedroom off-limits can help keep your sleeping space cleaner (so you can breathe easier). Using machine-washable covers on all your soft furnishings is also a must; wash these at least once weekly in hot water.
Browse bedrooms featuring animal prints
9. Have the non-allergic person do the dustiest cleaning
If you’re the one with allergies, volunteer to take on another household chore (one that doesn’t stir up dust) in exchange for your housemate doing the vacuuming and dusting. If that’s not possible, wear a dust-proof mask while cleaning, hop in the shower when you’re done and put on fresh clothes.
If you’re the one with allergies, volunteer to take on another household chore (one that doesn’t stir up dust) in exchange for your housemate doing the vacuuming and dusting. If that’s not possible, wear a dust-proof mask while cleaning, hop in the shower when you’re done and put on fresh clothes.
10. Get outside help
If you or someone in your home has really awful allergies, it could be worth your while to prioritise a professional housecleaning service in your budget. If you do decide to hire a service, be sure to ask how it specifically addresses allergens in the home.
TELL US
Do you or someone in your household have allergies? What strategies have you found that work to keep allergens at bay?
MORE
Read more stories about cleaning
If you or someone in your home has really awful allergies, it could be worth your while to prioritise a professional housecleaning service in your budget. If you do decide to hire a service, be sure to ask how it specifically addresses allergens in the home.
TELL US
Do you or someone in your household have allergies? What strategies have you found that work to keep allergens at bay?
MORE
Read more stories about cleaning
If you focus your allergen-busting cleaning efforts in just one area of the home, make it the one you sleep in.