Simple Tips to Reduce Allergens in Your Home

For many of us, sprigtime also mean allergy time.  I never  had to deal with allergies until Steve and I married.  I don’t really have any issues and neither did anyone in my family, other than the occasional hay fever.  Steve on the other hand, has skin allergies and is very sensitive to smells and Heather, our oldest, has eczema.  Although my husband has never been tested, Heather was diagnosed by a dermatologist in her teens and we’ve learned a few things over the years that have helped both of them avoid breakouts and headaches.

Today I thought I would share some simple tips that can help reduce allergens in your home, in case you or someone in your family also suffer from allergies.

Laundry:

In our case, laundry is the biggest issue.  The laundry products we were using were causing eczema breakouts, rashes and the headaches from the dyes and scents.   Now, I’ll be honest, I’m a HUGE scent lover, I love to wear perfumes and lotions that smell nice, I used scented candles and other products to make our home smell inviting and I love the smell of fresh, clean laundry.  However, the scents and dyes in laundry products are what cause many people, including my husband and daughter, to develop laundry allergies.

here are some heathly laundry habits that have helped us manage skin allergies 

• Always run new clothes through the wash.  Make it a habit to wash new clothes before wearing, to remove excess dyes and fabric finishers that may cause skin irritation.
• Don’t use too much soap. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you only use the recommended amount of detergent.
• Try using liquid laundry products.   Liquid products tend to leave fewer residues than powders.
• Use fabric softener.  Studies have shown that clothes treated with a fabric softener have a potential benefit for people with sensitive skin.
• Don’t overload (or underload) the machine. Loading your washer with just the right amount of clothes means the laundry detergent will dissolve correctly.
• Rinse and repeate. It’s important to use your washer’s full rinse cycle to let the detergents rinse away from your clothes and avoid contact with your skin. Use an extra rinse cycle to make sure that everything comes out nice and clean.
• Be cautious when hand-washing clothes. If you’re washing garments by hand, be sure to allow the detergent to dissolve in the water and pay extra attention to rinsing well.
• Use laundry products made for sensitive skin.  Hypoallergenic products such as Tide Free & Gentle, Downy Free & Gentle and Bounce Free are dermatologist tested and contain less allergens.

We have always been big fans of Tide, Bounce and Downy for our laundry, and I love that they now come in a Free & Gentle line that still delivers the cleaning power and softness that I want and love, with out the the perfumes and dyes that irritate my family’s skin.  Each one is great on their own, but even better all together.

Bedding

Wash your bedding and blankets on a regular basis, once a week is ideal. Dust settles on your bedding just like it settles on the rest of your furniture.  Don’t forget the blankets you use while watching TV…..especially if you let your pets snuggle on the couch with you 😉

How to Wash and Care for Pillows

Air

Finding the right level of humidity in your house is important.  To help control indoor mold, use a dehumidifier or your air conditioner to keep your home humidity close to 50 percent.  Allergy filters are now sold for vents throughout your house, along with an air purifier with HEPA (“high efficiency particulate air”) filter, to drastically reduce the dust, pollen, mold and bacteria in the air moving around your home.  Use the exhaust fan when you shower. This will help reduce moisture and mold in your bathroom.

Dust & Vacuum

Dust then vacuum.  I like to dust with a microfiber cloth and a light mist of vinegar water.  This grabs the dust, rather than just push it around.  Spray soft surfaces such as mattresses and sofas with fabric refresher every few days to cut down on dust and reduce allergens.

Vacuum on a regular basis, including upholstered furniture – be sure to use a HEPA filter, other wise you are releasing allergens back into the air.  HEPA filters do help, but they don’t always mean clean air.  Dyson vacuums are fabulous for allergen control, because they have a completely sealed system, only cleaned air is expelled back into your home.  I know they cost more than most vacuums, but they are so worth it!! I own 2 of them, and have given 2 to my daughter as well…..we love them.

At least twice a year, pull the beds out and vacuum underneath.

Dusting Tips

Control Mold and Mildew

Clean the bath and/or shower often to help reduce mold. Along with regular deep cleanings, we keep a daily shower spray in the showers to keep them clean and mold-free as possible.

Hang wet/dirty clothes and towels to dry. Tossing damp clothes or towels into a hamper can cause terrible sour odors and begin mildew growth. Read my tips on how to remove mildew from towels and neutralize odors.

Pest Free

When most people think of allergy and “asthma triggers,” they often focus on plant pollens, dust, animal dander and stinging insects. However, one of the most common household pests – the cockroach – is one of the biggest offenders as a trigger of allergies and asthma.  Remove water and food sources that may attract cockroaches.  Lucky for us, my husband has his own pest control company, but if you see a cockroach (or rodents), get professional help. — t is estimated that one visible roach represents a population of a hundred roaches living in the walls!

What do you do to reduce allergens in your home?

Disclaimer:  I have a working relationship with P&G. I have used and loved Tide, Downy and Bounce for years and was thrilled to partner with them to talk about my family’s allergies and their Free & Gentle line of laundry products.  As always, all views and opinions are my own.