DIY Network

Allergies Allergies From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-123

Figure A

Inside a small speck of dust live hundreds of dust mites that could be making someone in your home sick (figure A). Today we are clearing the air for people with allergies as we learn ways to rid the home of allergens. In addition, an allergy expert offers advice on ways to breathe easier.

advertisement

Sixty million people in America have allergies or asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, these allergens cost the United States more than $20 billion each year in hospital bills and lost productivity at work and school. And if you have ever dealt with shortness of breath, itchy red eyes or the sneezing and sniffling caused by allergens, you know that an ounce of prevention can make all the difference.

Q: What are the best cleaning products to use for people with allergies?

A: The best cleaning products are natural ones such as baking soda, which is a mild abrasive; lemon juice, a good disinfectant; and even aluminum foil, which will clean chrome faucets when it's rubbed over them.

Q: How often should carpet be vacuumed to reduce allergens?

A: If you have both allergies and carpet, vacuum daily (using a canister vacuum with a HEPA filter, if possible). Empty vacuum bags often; otherwise you are just whipping up the dust.

Q: What's the best way to clean drapes to avoid dust?

A: If you have really bad allergies, consider switching to a window covering that isn't fabric. Vacuum drapes at least monthly with a duster brush. Launder or dry-clean frequently; do not dry with fabric softener sheets if you have allergies. Periodically putting dry drapes in the dryer on the air fluff cycle for 10 to 15 minutes is an effective way to remove dust from the fabric.

	Figure B
	Figure C

Dusting to Remove Allergens

• If you suffer from allergies, adequate insulation will help block allergens from entering the home.

• Change your furnace filters frequently (for allergy sufferers, clean or change the filters monthly).

• Use lambswool dusters; the lanolin in the fibers traps and contains dust, and lambswool is washable (figure B).

• Weatherstrip around windows and doors to block dust from entering the home.

• Vacuum frequently, using a canister vac with a HEPA filter, if possible. HEPA filters trap dust particles as small as .03 microns in size.

• Use microfiber cloths and mops (figure C). They clean with water and can be washed in hot water in the washing machine.

• Use good-quality mats inside and outside exterior doors: 75 percent of the dirt and dust that comes into the home comes in on your feet.
  

Tip: HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters were first developed by the U. S. military in the 1940s.