Easy ways to allergy-proof your home

The sun may be shining and the flowers may be in bloom, but for parents with kids at home, this is not necessarily a cause for celebration. It may look glorious outside, but it can be a minefield out there -most of us suffer from hay fever. Not to mention those that suffer from food, skin, drug and respiratory allergies. Now that spring-summer is upon us and we may , or may not be in a cleaning frenzy .Although it may seem like the last thing you want do, there are some simple measures we can take to not only clean, but allergy-proof our home.
MOULD
They flourish in damp, warm environments like bathrooms and cellars.
Cleaning:
Use a weak bleach solution or mould remover.
Surfaces:
Regularly clean surfaces, particularly in humidmoist areas such as bathrooms. This will prevent mould spores from having the opportunity to grow and spread.
Taps and pipes:
In places that harbour a lot of moisture, make sure taps and pipes are in working order and without leaks.
Humidity:
Make sure the humidity within the home is set below 60 per cent. Mould thrives in warm, damp places. Use a dehumidifier.
Fridges:
If you find mould growing in areas of the fridge, remove all food and clean the inside with bicarbonate of soda and water and wipe with a cloth. Bicarbonate of soda is a natural fungicide.
DUST
Dust mites are most prevalent during hotter months of the year compared to winter time.
Use anti-allergen bedding:
Put these on your mattresses and pillows to prevent dust mite allergen penetrating bedding.
Pillows and duvets:
If prone to allergies, look out for bedding that's hypoallergenic. Feathers in bedding can trigger allergy for some sufferers and make sleeping very uncomfortable.
Bedding:
To kill dust mites and removing the allergen, make sure that bedding is washed on a hot setting.
Storing clothing:
Store clothing in sealable bags to prevent dust and pet allergen from settling on them.
Vacuum:
Again, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter which will help remove allergen from carpets and home surfaces without redistributing into the air.
Washing duvets and pillows:
Aim to wash duvets and pillows every three months, to remove the millions of skin cells and sweat harboured in them whilst sleeping.
PETS
Pet allergens are found in their skin flakes (dander), saliva and urine.
Pets in the home:
Stop pets from exploring or settling in your bedroom. Pet allergen can cause allergic reactions and can be stubborn to remove from surfaces.
Dogs:
In order to prevent reactions from pet allergens, it's advised that dogs are groomed regularly, preferably outdoors, to prevent them from shedding their hair and dander, which can trigger a reaction.
Cats:
Bathing a cat twice a week can reduce cat allergens by as much as 90 per cent.
Where they sleep:
Don't let pets sleep in your bedroom or area where you sleep. This includes cats and dogs as well as rodents and birds, which are known to cause problems for asthma sufferers.
Wash their bedding:
Regularly wash your pets bedding area to remove pet hair, dander and bacteria that they harbour.
HAY FEVERPOLLEN A common allergic condition, its symptoms mimic that of chronic cold.
Vacuum:
Pollen easily sticks to your carpet fibres, so make sure you regularly use a vacuum. Don't just stick to floors, vacuum places like curtains, mattresses and lampshades where pollen can also settle.
Shut your windows:
Keep windows shut during the day when the pollen count is at its highest and open them at night.
Dusting:
Damp dust your surfaces around the home to prevent pollen from becoming airborne.
- Daily Mirror