Maintaining a clean home is a must if you suffer from allergies.
Dust, dust mites, pollen, molds, mildew, and pet dander are always lurking inside your house if you don’t regularly vacuum and keep it tidy. Since they are the usual allergens that can trigger and make different types of allergies worse, you need to maintain a clean home to avoid experiencing the uncomfortable symptoms of your condition.
Unfortunately, the act of cleaning your home can trigger or aggravate your allergy. Even if you have the best intentions for doing this household chore, you may end up getting sick for doing so.
But since keeping a tidy home is crucial, skipping your cleaning chores is not an option. The best and safest way to perform these tasks without suffering from an allergy attack is by following the right steps and practices while doing them.
Below are six useful tips for cleaning your home while reducing the chances of developing or aggravating your allergy symptoms:
Use the right cleaning tools.
Choosing the right cleaning tools that also minimize the spread of dust and other allergens will help you lower the chances of suffering from your allergy while you tidy up your home.
Some of the best cleaning tools for people with allergies are:
- Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters. This feature allows you to catch fine dust and mold and prevent them from spreading. If you want to invest in a new vacuum, opt for a fabric allergen sanitizer vacuum that uses ultraviolet light to kill dust mites and bacteria. It would also have a dual filtration system that can eliminate 99.9 percent of particles and allergens from fabric surfaces.
- Washable microfiber cleaning mops and cloths. Microfiber cleaning items attract dust better than regular cotton or paper towels. To ensure that dust clings to these tools, dampen them lightly with water before doing your chores.
- Dust wipes and wands. Disposable synthetic dusting wipes and wands also attract dust and have static cling features that hold them until you can throw them in the trash. These cleaning supplies can prevent dust from flying around as well.
Invest in cleaning products that do not cause allergic reactions.
Many cleaning products contain irritants that can cause the same symptoms as an allergen. Because of this, you have to be careful with the ones that you use.
Ammonia, D-limonene, formaldehyde, and sodium lauryl sulfate are some of the usual cleaning product ingredients that can trigger allergies. If the ones you are currently using have them, consider replacing them.
Opt for unscented cleaners since they are safer. Whenever possible, use natural products like distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice (in the right combinations) for cleaning.
Additionally, some laundry products contain dye that can irritate the skin. To be on the safe side, buy detergents and stain removal products that are dye- and scent-free.
Protect yourself while cleaning.
If you have allergic rhinitis, dusting and cleaning can cause your symptoms to flare up. You can avoid suffering from your condition by wearing the right protective gear while cleaning.
Wear a disposable or washable mask while dusting. You can also put on goggles if your eyes are sensitive to dust.
Also, put on gloves while dusting and cleaning to avoid touching dust and dirt that may irritate your skin. Opt for cotton-lined rubber ones instead of latex since the latter can sometimes cause skin irritation.
It is also best to wear clothes that cover your arms and legs to prevent allergens from sticking and clinging to exposed skin.
Dust surfaces correctly.
Cleaning surfaces is another chore that can make your allergic rhinitis worse. However, there are steps you can take to do this task safely.
First, avoid using feather dusters since they only push dust around and do not remove them completely. It is best to wipe surfaces with a damp cloth, preferably microfiber, since it picks up dirt and grime more effectively.
If you want to use a cleaning product to clean kitchen surfaces or the coffee tables, choose one that is unscented and does not contain harsh chemicals. You can also create your own solution using white vinegar, lemon, and water, which is safer for your home and better for the environment.
Since this homemade cleaning product does not contain any harsh chemicals, you are sure it won’t irritate your nose and skin.
Wear a face mask while vacuuming.
Although vacuuming allows you to minimize the chances that dust, pollen, molds, and other allergens will go flying around, the equipment can still stir them up. It can take about two hours before these particles can settle back down.
You could then end up inhaling these particles, which will cause your allergy to flare up.
To avoid developing or aggravating your allergic symptoms, wear a mask when you vacuum. And if you have the machine with a HEPA filter, always use it.
If you have a regular vacuum cleaner, use a double bag to trap more particles. In case you have a bagless one, clean and wash the collection cup frequently.
Avoid drying washed beddings, clothes, and other fabric items outdoors.
Keeping your bedsheets, pillowcases, and blankets clean is important if you have allergic rhinitis. If you don’t wash your beddings often, the dust, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens can settle on them and trigger or worsen your condition.
However, never hang your sheets and blankets outside to dry them. Pollen and even dust can stick to them, which will cause problems for you when you lie down on your bed.
Avoid leaving clothing, towels, and other textile items you frequently use to dry on the washing line outside as well since they can also collect pollen and dust. Your symptoms may appear or worsen once you start using them.
If you want or need to air-dry your beddings, clothes, and other items, do it indoors to avoid bringing more allergens into your home.
As a final tip, make sure you have a supply of anti-allergy medications so that you can take one whenever your symptoms flare up. With the right antihistamine tablets UAE medical experts recommend, you will get relief immediately and be able to continue going about your chores.