18 Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Home
If you're itching to reduce allergy symptoms, this mini guide to reducing allergens around the house can help
Laura Gaskill
April 27, 2013
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
If you or someone else in your house suffers from allergies, you'll want to get the house as allergen free as possible. Whether you are allergic to dust, pets, mold, pollen or all of the above, it can be hard to know where to begin. These 18 ways to combat allergens and create a cleaner, healthier home will get you started.
1. Stick to a regular cleaning schedule. Keeping dust and pet dander at bay is a continual process, and it's especially important to stay on top of cleaning when allergies are a concern. Be sure to wipe surfaces with a damp rag rather than dry dusting, which often just brushes dust back into the air.
Ideally, members of the household without allergies would take on the dustiest jobs, but if you have bad allergies and must clean, wear a dust mask — or hire a cleaning service if you can.
Ideally, members of the household without allergies would take on the dustiest jobs, but if you have bad allergies and must clean, wear a dust mask — or hire a cleaning service if you can.
2. Start a no-shoes policy and beef up doormats. Keep dust, pollen and more from entering your house in the first place by encouraging visitors to slip off their shoes at the door. Provide ample interior and exterior doormats to trap shoe muck and a basketful of slippers for guests.
3. Upgrade your vacuum cleaner. Get one with a HEPA filter to trap allergens — these filters work wonders. Also be sure to choose a vacuum cleaner with a bag that can be changed easily (that is, without spewing dust everywhere).
4. Swap out heavy drapes. Thick drapes with lots of folds and pleats are masters at trapping dust and other allergens. Instead choose blinds you can wipe down or machine-washable curtains.
5. Remove carpeting. Traditional wall-to-wall carpeting is notoriously difficult to get and keep clean. Whenever possible, go with hard flooring (wood, tile, linoleum) instead.
Houzz guides to floor materials
Houzz guides to floor materials
6. Steam clean; don't shampoo carpets and area rugs. If you really want carpeting, vacuum it regularly with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter (see above) and deep clean with a steam cleaner. Most rented carpet shampooers do not get hot enough to get rid of allergens, so consider making the investment in a real steam cleaner to keep at home.
7. Store all food in airtight containers. Don't tempt bugs and mice — every time you open a package, put the contents inside an airtight container in the cupboard or fridge.
8. Green your cleanup. Harsh chemical cleaners may irritate those with allergies. Luckily, it's quite easy to find safe and effective natural cleaners, so you can cut back on the synthetic stuff.
8. Green your cleanup. Harsh chemical cleaners may irritate those with allergies. Luckily, it's quite easy to find safe and effective natural cleaners, so you can cut back on the synthetic stuff.
9. Cover mattress and pillows. Zip on dust mite covers to protect your sleeping area. If you have kids, be sure to get covers for their mattresses and pillows, too.
10. Keep under the bed free of clutter. Clutter attracts dust bunnies and makes it more difficult to reach the entire space to vacuum. Keep this area clean and clear, and be sure to reach under with a hose attachment to vacuum regularly.
10. Keep under the bed free of clutter. Clutter attracts dust bunnies and makes it more difficult to reach the entire space to vacuum. Keep this area clean and clear, and be sure to reach under with a hose attachment to vacuum regularly.
11. Streamline kids' spaces. Children's rooms accumulate stuff like nowhere else in the house. But if allergies are a problem, having lots of toys — especially soft toys — everywhere will only make things worse. Try rotating out toys to keep things fresh (and neat), and store extras in an out-of-the-way closet. Washing stuffed animals when possible can also help keep dust at a minimum.
12. Wash linens in hot water. Bedding, towels and kitchen linens should be laundered in hot water — remember that when you are shopping and choose fabrics that can stand up to the heat.
13. Store only clean, dry items in closets. Putting away clothes or linens that are still slightly damp can create the perfect environment for mildew and mold to grow, while dirty clothes and blankets attract fabric-eating moths. Keep your closets fresh and bug free by washing and thoroughly drying items before storing them for the season.
14. Clean and ventilate the bathroom regularly. Frequent cleaning and plenty of fresh air should keep mildew and mold at bay. But if you do see mold, be sure to use a cleaner that says it kills mold — not all of them do.
15. Replace filters in fans and heating and cooling systems. This is key for keeping the air in your home clean. Each time you change the filter in your bathroom exhaust system or air conditioning or heating system, mark the next change date on the calendar.
15. Replace filters in fans and heating and cooling systems. This is key for keeping the air in your home clean. Each time you change the filter in your bathroom exhaust system or air conditioning or heating system, mark the next change date on the calendar.
16. Keep pets out of bedrooms, at a minimum. No matter how sweet and cuddly your furry friend is, if he's making you wheeze, it's time to set some boundaries. Keeping pets in a protected outdoor area would probably be ideal, but at the bare minimum enforce a no-pets policy in bedrooms.
17. Detox your home. Harsh chemicals can aggravate allergies, so do your best to avoid bringing them into your home. Swap out chemical cleaners and air fresheners for natural versions, and air out new furnishings and freshly dry cleaned clothes to give toxins a chance to off-gas.
18. Keep the air fresh. Open the windows to let in fresh air, unless you have seasonal allergies, and consider using a room air filter to clean the air. Avoid using fireplaces and definitely do not allow smoking in the house.
Tell us: Do you or does someone in your home suffer from allergies? Share your tips for keeping an allergy-proof home in the Comments.
More: Allergy-proof your home room by room
18. Keep the air fresh. Open the windows to let in fresh air, unless you have seasonal allergies, and consider using a room air filter to clean the air. Avoid using fireplaces and definitely do not allow smoking in the house.
Tell us: Do you or does someone in your home suffer from allergies? Share your tips for keeping an allergy-proof home in the Comments.
More: Allergy-proof your home room by room
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“Blinds you can wipe down”
Are you joking? Blinds multiply the square inches capable of, not just holding dust, but attracting it as well. Dust embeds on the cords and in their slat-holes. Static builds up and holds dust on blinds. My Solution: commercial drapes, in most cases, are not built to be washed often. I made my own, carefully pre-washing fabric, and heat drying, before sewing and careful to make sound seams, reinforced with pre-shrunk binding tape, capable of repeated washing. I used both ring-held connectors in public rooms and rod-pockets in bedrooms and wash my drapes often, as we have pets. I shake them out before vacuuming rooms. Much more work to create (not wash), but worth every cleaner room moment. I do not use any fabric with ruffles, nap, or decoration that adds places for dust to settle in. Blinds, what a dust nightmare.
The saddest thing about parting with dusty libraries is modern communists forging propaganda and history that never happened. Funny this thread is ages old, but popped up this morning like a new one! Hello 2013!
I was severely allergic to grass, cats and dust mites. Took 5 years of allergy shots, had nasal surgery and took medications. Still allergic to grass. Drives my asthma crazy. I got rid of ALL the carpet. Put in tile or hardwood throughout. Have only leather furniture in den (where I spend evenings) and encased all beding in dust mite protection. Use the best filters, have my house cleaned and all books are behind glass or wooden doors. I went to the extreme of having the fescue grass removed from my lawn and replaced it with Bermuda which, according to my doctors I am not allergic to. I still can't hardly breathe when grass pollen season (like now through June begins. I just thought I would share my experience. All the allergy mitigation has helped me. My nose used to poor all evening long and now it doesn't. So that is some difference. I also use Woolite to wash my clothes. And original Tide for my towels and bed clothes. I find the original powder Tide doesn't have much of a scent compared to products like Gain. I use unscented dryer sheets and unscented garbage bags. These adjustments help me most of the year. Bissell used to make a vacuum cleaner for allergies and it came with a powder which you pounded into your carpet then vaccines up. That was my first purchase when I got diagnosed and knew I was allergic to dust mites.