Resources
Patient Education
We Help You Breathe
AVOIDING ALLERGIES WITHIN YOUR HOME
You can greatly reduce most allergens in your home by simply carrying out some routine practices, including those outlined below. House dust mites, pet danders, molds and even cockroach or mouse droppings, are the major indoor allergens. These allergens are found in mattresses, pillows, box springs, overstuffed furniture, and such stuffed articles as toys and comforters which cannot be washed. They also settle on venetian blinds, flat surfaces, curtains and knickknack.
To prepare and maintain a home with the least amount of indoor allergen, follow these instructions:
You can greatly reduce most allergens in your home by simply carrying out some routine practices, including those outlined below. House dust mites, pet danders, molds and even cockroach or mouse droppings, are the major indoor allergens. These allergens are found in mattresses, pillows, box springs, overstuffed furniture, and such stuffed articles as toys and comforters which cannot be washed. They also settle on venetian blinds, flat surfaces, curtains and knickknack.
To prepare and maintain a home with the least amount of indoor allergen, follow these instructions:
• Clean at least once a week, using vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth or oil mop.
• If you must do the cleaning, wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth when cleaning and dusting.
• Encase the mattresses, box springs, and pillows with dust mite-proof covers.
• You may place a mattress pad over the allergy covers.
• Avoid comforters, heavy rugs, chenille spreads, heavy drapes, toys and knickknack.
• The bedroom should contain a minimum amount of furniture.
• Wash bed linens in hot water (130°) once a week. Cold water does not kill dust mites.
• Use blankets, comforters and mattress pads that can be laundered.
• Dust-sensitive children should not have stuffed dolls or teddy bears.
• Go over all overstuffed furniture and rugs each week with the vacuum cleaner.
• Change vacuum cleaner bags often and before they get full.
• Do not use a broom or duster, which may just stir up the dust.
• Keep windows and doors of the room closed as much as possible.
• Replace the air filter in your furnace monthly.
• Avoid and correct damp, musty places.
• Stay away from attics, basements, closets and store rooms as much as possible.
• Try to keep humidity less than 50%, but greater than 30% .
• Keep pets strictly out of the bedroom, and preferably out of the house.
• Avoid secondhand smoke especially within the home.
• If you must do the cleaning, wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth when cleaning and dusting.
• Encase the mattresses, box springs, and pillows with dust mite-proof covers.
• You may place a mattress pad over the allergy covers.
• Avoid comforters, heavy rugs, chenille spreads, heavy drapes, toys and knickknack.
• The bedroom should contain a minimum amount of furniture.
• Wash bed linens in hot water (130°) once a week. Cold water does not kill dust mites.
• Use blankets, comforters and mattress pads that can be laundered.
• Dust-sensitive children should not have stuffed dolls or teddy bears.
• Go over all overstuffed furniture and rugs each week with the vacuum cleaner.
• Change vacuum cleaner bags often and before they get full.
• Do not use a broom or duster, which may just stir up the dust.
• Keep windows and doors of the room closed as much as possible.
• Replace the air filter in your furnace monthly.
• Avoid and correct damp, musty places.
• Stay away from attics, basements, closets and store rooms as much as possible.
• Try to keep humidity less than 50%, but greater than 30% .
• Keep pets strictly out of the bedroom, and preferably out of the house.
• Avoid secondhand smoke especially within the home.