Cleaning and Survival Tips for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers

Carole Pagan
© 2007

Allergy season is in full bloom. Add to that heat and
humidity and you have a miserable time for anyone
suffering from allergies or asthma. But there are things
that you can do to make breathing in your home a lot
easier.

Your most indispensable tool will be the vacuum cleaner.
Ideally you want a vacuum with a good filter.

The first time you do a vacuuming for allergies, you will
want to thoroughly vacuum walls, behind furniture,
mattresses, pillows, upholstery, window and door screens,
and vents, and dusting every crevice- including things like
behind the TV and stereo inside the cabinet, the backs of
furniture and the ceiling fan blades. Spend a little more time
than usual vacuuming upholstery and rugs to let the
vacuum get up the the majority of the dust and pollen.

A quick carpet clean and changing air filters and furnace
filters finishes up the initial cleaning job.

To maintain, dust ceiling fans, blinds, window treatments,
and furniture, vacuum window screens and sills, especially
if you leave your windows open.

Vacuum all upholstery where pets make themselves
comfortable. Thoroughly vacuum rugs at least once
a week.

The vacuuming will take a little longer, but you'll find
you'll be spending less time dusting, so it evens out.

You also want to change your hand towels everyday,
just in case it's a virus triggering the response.

If you have pets, keep them clean and brushed, and their
living areas cleaned. Keep pets out of the bedrooms of
affected people.

The things that typically trigger asthma is pretty long-

House dust mites found in carpeting, mattresses, bed
linens, toys, upholstered furniture, dampness, poor
ventilation, un-vented cooking, humidifiers;

Animal-derived allergens from dogs, cats, rodents,
and birds;
Mold found in carpeting, walls, and windows, caused by
leaks, poor ventilation, water damage, or dampness;

Nitrogen oxides produced by space heaters or gas-fueled
cooking stove, used with poor ventilation;

Wood Smoke from wood stoves or fireplaces, used with
poor ventilation, or faulty equipment causing fumes to
come back into the room.

Fumes from cleaners, aerosols- like hairsprays, perfumes
and even air fresheners, pesticides, formaldehyde found
in some older household products;

Viral respiratory infections - exposure to infected people;

Endotoxins from bacteria growing in soil, humidifiers, and
other moist places;

Cockroach allergen;

Tobacco smoke;

Excess weight. Yes, overweight people are more prone to asthma.

If there was just one thing you could do to minimize allergy
or asthma suffering- it's to become a vacuuming fanatic.
The more you get into that bag, the less you have floating
around in the air to breathe in. It's healthier, and you'll
have less dusting to do.

A couple of good air cleaners and some houseplants
help too.

There are dietary things you can do to help ease your
attacks too. Apples, apple cider vinegar, coffee, garlic,
hot peppers, kiwi, lemons, onions, papaya, and pineapple
have all been said to help reduce respiratory and sinus
problems.

Make sure you're getting enough Magnesium, Vitamins
B-6, B-12, C and eating foods rich in antioxidants.

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Find Peace of Mind - Have a Cleaner, Healthier Home.

Carole is the author of Secret Confessions of a Clean Freak.
If you'd love a really clean house and more peace of mind,
And you want to get it done fast - you'll want this complete
handbook of quick cleaning secrets.