3.20.2019

5 Spring Cleaning Tasks to Prevent Allergies



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, You can get those at a drug warehouse pharmacy). Wear long sleeves and pants tucked in, and leave the house after cleaning for at least 2 hours.

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 all together. 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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