• Allergies
• Allergies, Asthma, and Lung
• Your Family's Health

Easy Steps to Allergy-Proof Every Room in Your Home

Your house may look pristine, but allergens can lurk in even the tidiest of homes. From your pet cat to the kids’ toys, allergens are everywhere. And if you suffer from allergies, they can make your life miserable. That’s why it makes sense to allergy proof every room in your house.

Bedroom and Kid’s Room

If you snuggle with your dog at night, beware! Pets can carry mold and outdoor pollen, and they shed dander, which quickly becomes food for dust mites. What’s more, mold is frequently found in mattresses and pillows, and releases spores that can trigger asthma symptoms. To fight back:

• Use special mite-proof mattress and pillow covers
• Wash sheets and stuffed toys weekly in 130-degree hot water to kill mites and their eggs, and use bleach to kill mold
• Keep pets out — and away from toys
• Make sure clothes are fully dry before putting them in drawers and closets

Mold thrives in any warm, damp environment.

Kitchen

Watch out for cockroaches, as they can trigger an asthma attack. Mold, another offender, often turns up under the sink, fridge or dishwasher — or in any damp space. To keep allergens out:

• Never leave food out to attract roaches
• Store food in airtight containers, in or out of the fridge
• Wipe down the stovetop and counters to get rid of food spills that attract insects
• Use poison baits, boric acid and insect traps (avoid using liquid or spray pesticides if you have asthma)

Bathroom

Mold thrives in any warm, damp environment — under the sink, in the shower and on towels, floor mats and tiles. To remove allergens:

• Clean up any mold as soon as you spot it. You may want to contact a mold remediation company that specializes in safe mold removal.
• Fix any leaking pipes
• Use the fan or vent when showering
• Use a mold or mildew spray on shower curtains and tiles
• Wash bath mats and towels weekly

Living Room

Just like the rest of your house, dust mites, cockroaches and mold can easily find their way in. To keep allergens at bay:

• Vacuum furniture and curtains weekly
• Use washable slip covers and cushions, and wash weekly in 130-degree hot water
• Keep pets off the furniture
• Use easy-to-clean flooring, and avoid moisture-trapping carpeting

Basement

Dark, damp areas like basements are a favorite place for allergens. And rats, another hazard for those with allergies, are also drawn to moist areas. To reduce your risk:

• Fix all foundation leaks and cracks
• Repair leaky pipes, water heaters and HVAC systems
• Remove and clean mold anywhere you see it. You may want to contact a mold remediation company that specializes in safe mold removal.

Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America