With the arrival of warmer weather, it's time to start thinking about spring cleaning. A proper spring clean is even more crucial if you or your family suffers from hayfever or asthma.
Remove asthma and allergy triggers from your home.
Dust, grime, and allergens such as mould can build up in your home over the winter months, producing allergy symptoms and asthma in those who are sensitive. Spring cleaning is a great strategy to manage this, as it reduces stressors in the home.
Asthmatics, more than most, can benefit from a spring cleaning. Indoor and seasonal allergens can both be controlled with a thorough cleaning of your home.
With more than eight out of ten people with asthma also suffering from allergies, maintaining a clean and healthy environment is critical to decreasing asthma and allergy triggers.
You won't be able to entirely avoid allergies, but there are several techniques to decrease your and your family's exposure. Those with asthma and allergies should also think about their cleaning products, techniques, and ventilation to make sure that any spring cleaning doesn't aggravate their symptoms.
You don't want to simply spread dust around, releasing allergens and harsh cleaning chemicals into the air, as this could be harmful.
This spring, there are a variety of techniques to help remove allergens in the house. Dust hard surfaces with a moist cloth; change or thoroughly clean vacuum, air conditioner, and air purifier filters; vacuum draperies and upholstery; and, most importantly, eliminate mould.
Top spring cleaning suggestions to help you manage your allergies and asthma.
Get rid of old clutter.
Clearing up your old stuff considerably minimizes dust. To keep dust at bay, store everything in closets and drawers.
Dust surfaces that have been forgotten. Dust will have accumulated on windows, blinds, curtain rails, and skirting boards over the winter months. Clean these spots with a moist cloth and then thoroughly rinse them. However, don't use a feather duster to fluff the dust into the air; this will merely spread the dust about the house.
Vacuum the area thoroughly. If at all possible, delegate vacuuming to someone else, as this can increase allergens in the air for up to 20 minutes. Use a good vacuum cleaner that can eliminate particulates.
Dust mites should be removed from the bedding. Wash bedding, sheets, pillowcases, and quilts at least once every two weeks (at temperatures over 55°C).
Dust mites cannot spread if dust mite covers are used on the mattress and pillows.
Drapes and upholstery should be cleaned. Because allergens cling to soft surfaces, it's critical to wash, dry-clean, or vacuum curtains, as well as vacuum couches and chairs and wash or dry-clean throw rugs to remove remaining allergens. Drapes are more likely to collect dust than vertical blinds or roller shades.
Replace or clean old air-conditioning filters. Make sure the air entering your home is clean and fresh.
Make sure to clean up after your pets. Vacuum your pet's sleeping areas thoroughly if your pet has spent the winter indoors. The bedding of your pet should be washed on a regular basis.
Mould must be removed. Mould is an important and sometimes neglected asthma trigger. After you've removed the mould, take precautions to keep it from returning, such as fixing bathroom leaks and treating rising damp as soon as it's discovered.
Allergen avoidance does not cure asthma, but it can assist to improve asthma control and make symptoms simpler to manage by decreasing your exposure to allergen triggers.
A healthy home environment is key, and the cleanliness of your air conditioner is a critical aspect in your house's environment. If you are allergic to dust, mould, or pollen, ensure that the air you breathe at home is clean and safe.