Reducing Allergies in Your Home
Published on Jun 4th, 2008 in Health with
Many folks I know are suffering from allergies right now. You know the culprits: itchy, stuffy, scratchy, teary, wheezy, sneezes, and phlegm - a parade of annoying allergy symptoms that similiar to the names given to certain crotchety, little, old men who befriend innocent damsels in distress.
Thankfully, my body doesn’t react to the pollen that is floating around in the air. My claim to fame is cats. I break out in terrible sneezes, itchy eyes/nose, and a scratchy throat if I pet a cat or breathe in the same room with cat for an extended period of time. So it makes sense that any cat (and I seem to run into quite a few since many of my acquaintances are owned by one.) enjoys rubbing it’s body around my ankles.
So for me, it’s not so much of what’s floating around outside that makes me want to take out my eyeballs and scratch them; it’s what’s in the home- a place that is supposed to be a safe haven from the evils of the world - that causes my allergies.
Not only can pets cause year-round allergy fun, but other, and sometimes unknown, allergens inside your home can potentially trigger your immune system to go into overdrive.
Bedsheets and Pillows
Here’s a lovely thought: Mold spores, pollen, and especially our friends, the dust mites love to camp out in the bed sheets. They can cause allergy flare ups in those sensitive, which leads to a poor night’s rest. If you’re feeling sleep deprived and are unsure of the reason, you may want to rule out potential allergies. The best solution: clean your sheets! And this goes for everyone, not just the allergy-prone, including a certain college friend who washed her bedsheets about once a month! (Say it with me: “Ewww.”)
- Wash sheets, blankets, and pillow cases at least once a week in water that is > 130 ° F
- Don’t buy goose-down pillows or duvets
- Wash your pillow every 6 months
- Use dust mite-proof covers
- Check your detergent! Avoid brands with perfumes and dyes. And skip the dryer sheets. Vinegar works very well as a fabric softener when added during the rinse cycle.
Allergies from the bathroom
Mold is the primary allergen in the bathroom as it thrives in warm, moist environments. I believe I am guilty of promoting new mold species on my shower curtain when I was a wee bit… wee-er and too lazy to clean the darn thing! I have since learned my lesson: I don’t use shower curtains. 
(see first point below)
- Clean shower curtains, or replace with shower door instead
- Clean sinks, tubs, toilets, and counter tops on a regular basis
- Fix leaky sinks
- Seal cracks where water can seep
Reducing allergens in kitchen
Kitchens can be a breeding ground for budding gourmet chefs, as well as icky bacteria, molds, and… cockroaches! Even the food can be potential allergens if someone in your family is sensitive to it. To reduce the ick factor and allergens:
- Wash dishes daily
- Place garbage in can with insect-proof lid
- Empty trash frequently
- Put recyclables in the garage. Rinse out cans/bottles before dropping in bin
- Disinfect sponges by putting them in the microwave for one minute (careful; they’ll be hot)
- Throw out ratty, old sponges
- Store food, including pet food, in air-tight containers
- Clean kitchen, eating area, and pantry floors on a regular basis
- Clean pantry and cupboard shelves
- Someone in the house have a food allergy? Store that troublesome food far from all other foods; better yet, don’t even buy it at all!
Allergies and carpets
Even though they offer padding, which is great for active little ones, carpets can harbor all sorts of nasties, from dust mites, to dirt, to pollen.
- If you can, get rid of the carpet and go for hardwood or linoleum. (pretty, but expensive)
- If this is not an option, vacuum at least once a week, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Vacuuming can stir up dust, so keep those with bad allergies out of the room for while.
- Wear a mask if you’re the allergy sufferer who’s pushing the vacuum.
The decor makes me sneeze
Be careful of having too many intricate knickknacks because they will accumulate dust, and in hard to reach places too. Use furnishings that are easy to clean.
Allergies in the air
- Replace air filters regularly. Keep humidity no higher than 50%.
- If allergic to pollen, keep the windows closed during prime, pollen months.
- Stay inside on high pollen count days (usually warm, dry, and windy).
- Shower immediately after coming in from the outside.
- Clean window frames and sills
Mom, can we keep him?
If you’ve got a strong allergy to animals, your best bet is to not own a pet, but sometimes that’s simply nonnegotiable. Thankfully, I am a dog-person, so I’m not heartbroken that I can’t have a cat!
- If you do have a pet, don’t let your pet on the bed.
- Don’t even let your pet in the bedroom!
- Keep the pet outside most of the time, if you can, or in only a specific area of the house.
- Consider allergy shots
Managing allergies and even preventing them is possible with a little detective work, and it often starts right at home. If you or someone in your family is prone to allergies, see what you can do right in the home to prevent them because, fewer allergy symptoms = a much happier and productive life!
OK, is it me, or is anyone else feeling itchy right now from reading through this post?
You gave me a wee bit of a sniffle. At this time of year, leaving the windows open means plenty of sniffles (though it’s a bit better than a couple weeks ago). But we don’t have to run the a/c and I can manage a sniffle.
Theres nothing better than clean sheets!
Although, I grew up around animals and playing a lot outside in the dirt etc and I have no allergies. I’ve always wondered if its because I was exposed to all of these things early on that I’ve developed an immunity against them… because I also know other people who grew up in an EXTRA clean environment and they’re allergic to just about everything. Funny how it sometimes works like that.
Mrs. Micah,
Cutting the a/c bill is sometimes the choice over dealing with sniffles, that is if the sniffles are mild. Wheezing… now that’s a completely different story!
Sagan,
I believe that does have something to do with it. Growing up in a virtually sterile environment isn’t necessary helpful for little ones’ immune systems. Sometimes it’s good to let them get dirty! (Just don’t EAT the dirt!)
But heredity plays a big part. If allergies run in the family, your chances are higher for having allergies yourself.
How newborns are fed also seems to play a role. Breastfed babies tend to have a lower incidence of allergies. Interesting stuff!
I need to print this
Im so in love with my neti pot out of NEED—perhaps some of these tips will help.
MizFit,
Thank you! Yes, I hope it helps at least a little bit!
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