Top 10 Cleaning Tips To Control Asthma And Allergies
As an asthmatic, house cleanliness is without a doubt something that you simply cannot afford compromise on. People with allergies to particulate matter including dust, fur, and pollen also need to ensure that their homes are spotless at all times. The last thing anyone wants is to spend all evening sneezing or wheezing instead of enjoying some down time after a long day at work. Below are 10 foolproof tips that should ensure sufficient cleaning as a way to control your asthma or allergies.
1. Vacuum, mop, and dust on a regular basis:
It goes without saying that regular cleaning is the best way to get rid of allergens and other irritants in the house. For people with asthma or allergies, this should be done at least twice a week and if possible every single day. One of the most important and efficient cleaning routines, in this case, is simple vacuuming. The cleaners ensure that most if not all particulate matter resting on different surfaces are gotten rid of. This eliminates one of the main sources of irritants allowing you to control your allergies and asthma. In addition to vacuuming, floor mopping and surface dusting will allow you to get rid of the dust and dirt from surfaces where vacuuming is not efficient.
2. Use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters
Not all vacuum cleaners are the same. In the case of allergies to airborne particles, vacuums with HEPA filters are without a doubt the best option. The HEPA filter is basically a special replaceable unit within the vacuum cleaner that traps tiny particles during the vacuuming process. This ensures that nothing is released back into the atmosphere or the surface being vacuumed as the cleaner circulates air.
3. Use a face mask or improvised cover while cleaning
Basic house cleaning with the best backpack vacuum can help control of allergies and asthma. To ensure that you are sufficiently protected during the cleaning process, it is important to cover your face. One of the best ways to do this is using a face mask. This ensures that the particles being dislodged and released into the air during cleaning are not inhaled and do not subsequently cause irritation. If face masks aren’t easily available, you may improvise by tying a scarf or bandana with breathable material over your nose and mouth.
4. Use water when cleaning uncarpeted surfaces
This applies to everything from floors and table tops to counters and cupboard surfaces. With floors, in particular, sufficient cleaning cannot be done without water. In addition to removing stains, the water binds particulate matter on the surface ensuring that the floors are not only spotless but also dustless after your cleaning process. This is also important when cleaning other surfaces. In this case, running a damp cloth over the surface ensures that all that Ieft behind after dusting is removed.
5. Keep all absorbent surfaces dry
Water is great for cleaning in a house where occupants have either asthma or some form of respiratory allergy. However, this is not always the case. With carpets, drapes, furniture upholstery and other absorbent surfaces, water might just make matters a lot worse. This is because the surfaces do not dry fast and therefore allow growth of mold and survival of dust mites. These two are among the most commonly implicated when it comes to asthma and allergies. It is therefore very important to keep such surfaces dry at all times.
6. If you have pets, invest in appropriate cleaners
Fur, urine fumes and poop particles from pets are also common culprits as far as allergic reactions and asthma attacks are concerned. The worst part is that more often than not, ordinary cleaning tools and methods are not enough to properly clean the house. In this case, it is very important to invest in vacuums, general cleaners as well as cleaning reagents made specifically to deal with pet related messes. It is a great investment with a simple pet vacuum cleaner under $300 ensuring that you peacefully coexist with your furry buddy.
7. Keep the house ventilated before, during and after cleaning
Fresh air is another one of your best tools against allergens and irritants in your home. It is therefore very important to always keep your home well ventilated and aerated. In this case, investing in an AC unit with a special filter is your best option. In addition to the temperature control, you get to enjoy the fresh filtered air. This comes in particularly handy while dusting or vacuuming as the filter removes the particles released into the air during the cleaning processes. It is important to ensure that the filter is regularly cleaned or replaced to enjoy the benefits of these systems.
8. Make laundry a regular activity
Contrary to popular beliefs, dust, pollen, fur and other irritants are not only found on floor surfaces and furniture. Clothes and bedding also carry a lot of these and may contribute to your health reactions at home. It is therefore very important to ensure that you clean your clothes on a regular basis. Bedding, in particular, should be cleaned once a week.
9. Clean spots inaccessible to the vacuum by hand
Many vacuums are not able to clean under low lying furniture and between wall intersections and corners. These inaccessible spots act as reservoirs for allergens slowly releasing them into the air to terrorize you. To avoid this, make sure to compliment the vacuum’s job by cleaning these spots by hand. As with other surfaces, using a damp cloth ensures that no particle is left behind.
10. Use special scrub brushes for moldy spots
Finally, invest in brushes to scrub out the mold. Mold is without a doubt one of the hardest allergens and asthma irritants to get rid of in a house. Simple vacuuming and mopping are no matches for the deeply rooted fungi whether it is on a wall, on your carpet or even on furniture legs. In this case, scrubbing is your best defense. It is therefore important to invest in a brush that is strong enough to remove the mold without damaging the wall or another surface.
Bottom line
With all these tips, it is safe to say that you have all the information you need to keep your house asthma and allergy free.
