Allergies can be frustrating and annoying, between sneezing, watery eyes, and itching. For common allergies, here are a few tips to help you prevent and avoid uncomfortable situations!
-
Cleaning washing machines
The dark inner part of the machine which is warm is a good breeding site for E. coli bacteria as well as fungi which cannot be destroyed by detergents. It is advisable to use diluted bleach and bleach wipes as well as a cleaning tablet twice in a month to clean the machine’s rubber gasket, the door, and its drum. Similarly, the door should be left open so as to enable the door and the drum to dry. Wet clothes should also be removed from the machine at the required time without delay.
-
Avoid using a feather duster
Oddly enough, feather dusters tend to stir a lot of dust in the air than they can manage to trap. It is advisable to instead use a wet paper towel or a wet cloth accompanied by gloves and a face mask. This is a safe method since the wet paper towel or wet cloth picks up dust that is full of fabric fibers, pet dander, and mold spores. This can greatly help people who suffer from asthma.
-
Use pillow covers
Allergen proof casings made from tightly woven microfiber should be put on box springs, mattresses, comforters, and pillows. These casings prevent dust mites from thriving since they feed on skin cells shed by pets and humans. These casings have an advantage where pillows themselves do not need to be washed thus increasing their durability.
Source: Pixabay
-
Exercising at the right time
One should consider pollen count before going out to exercise. Generally, mornings have high pollen count so exercising should be done during late hours. Working out indoors should be considered on days when the pollen count is high. Similarly, winds increase the amount of pollen suspended in the air. Rains help in reducing pollen count as it washes away pollen.
-
Clean everything in your home
Shower curtains, area rugs, curtains and throw pillows should be washed monthly. Allergens are best removed by using hot water. Research reveals that water at 104 degrees kills 9.6% of microscopic buggers and that at 140 degrees entirely kills dust mites. Doing away with area rugs and using blinds in place of curtains reduces doing them as laundry.
-
Spring clean closets
Closets should be thoroughly cleaned at least once annually. This is to get rid of dust that is collected behind storage bins, below shoe racks, and dander or pollen that are spread to clean clothes when any dirty cloth is put in the closet. Closet vents should be opened to allow free circulation of heat and conditioned air. It is usually humid in the house in cold weather, therefore, water is condensed along walls leading to the formation of mold. Rising temperatures during spring increase humidity indoors which leads to the thriving of dust mites.
-
Choose the right houseplant
Some common houseplants can aggravate your allergies, while other can actually rid your house of dust in the air – which one do you have?
Sourced from: Health
Featured Image: Pixabay