It’s allergy season.
While
daffodils and longer days brighten the mind, allergy symptoms such as sneezing,
itchy red eyes, and breathing problems can mute much of the joy. The most
common culprits that cause household allergies are dust mites, pest droppings
(such as cockroaches), mold, and pollen, and they thrive in the dust and
fabrics of your less than clean home. Thus, springtime, with its accompanying
cleaning, is the perfect opportunity to get a handle on these irritants.
Check
out these five spring cleaning tasks you should prioritize this season.
Protect Yourself
Your first task is to protect yourself while cleaning, as these activities will
agitate the dust that triggers your immune system, and it will last for house.
Make sure you’re vacuuming with a HEPA filter,
If
your allergies are serious, consider investing in a dehumidifier with a
high-quality filter (mold and dust mites love moisture) and a separate air
filter system. It may also be time to clean or replace the filters on your
heating and air conditioning, and other appliances.
Dust Your Blinds
Because
they hand in low-traffic areas right next to heating vents, blinds are dust
magnets. This means they accumulate quite a bit of normal household dust as
well as pet hair and dander. Professional maid services recommend using a
disinfectant solution or vinegar and a microfiber cloth for cleaning blinds,
and always moving from top to bottom.
Other
specialists say you can use the vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment to
quickly clean blinds, but this may not trap the dust. One online hack suggests
making a “dust puppet” with an old sock. Hear me out. By putting an old sock on
your and dipping it in disinfectant, you can use precise movements to capture
and trap household dust on blinds of any type.
Don’t Hang Laundry Outside
I
know it’s hard to hear, since the laundry industry literally markets the fresh
scent of a sunny day with its products. But when washing fabrics and linens
this spring, hang them inside or use a dryer. This is not the “greenest”
advice, but your bedding and fabrics will pick up pollens and other airborne
allergens outside, and the high head of washing machines and dryers will kill
bacteria, dust mites, and other microbes.
Flip and Air Out Your Mattress
It’s
not just a rumor, your mattress, and your bedroom in general, is the main
location for dust mites and other microbes that cause allergy problems. Many
mattresses, especially memory foam, trap heat, which make
it the perfect warm, damp breeding environment for undesirable microbes.
Maintaining a clean mattress year-round is key to a healthy nighttime
environment, but flipping and airing out a mattress is advisable a couple times
a year.
This
can be done by one person, but of course, two people can maneuver an awkward
mattress better. Do not rest the mattress on unstable headboards or furniture:
instead, lower it to the floor and flip it that way. Now is a great time for
your HEPA filter vacuum. Use it on and around the mattress. Some people
recommend exposing the mattress to sunlight for several hours, as this kills
bacteria, but it can also attract pollen, so use your discretion. If you do put
the mattress outside be sure to return it before the sun starts to set as the
dew will add even more moisture than before.
If you have had your mattress for over 10 years, it’s likely soiled with all types of allergens. It might be best to get a new mattress altogether, so take a look at the best mattress 2023 as a cooling mattress may be the way to go. And while you’re at it, look into “mite-proof” linens for your bed and pillows.
Get Extra Help
You
may have to call in some help this spring with your cleaning, as the droppings
and dander of pests, such as mice and cockroaches, are especially troublesome
for certain people. Especially if you live in an older home, consider using a
quality pest control company to rid your home of excessive spiders, insects,
and other rodents.
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