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Do you dread spring cleaning because of allergies? Photo: Pando Hall/Getty Images
Everyone knows that spring is the perfect time of year to clean. It's also a swell time to deal with lingering dust, dust mites, animal dander, mold and mildew that provoke allergies. After all, it's been predicted that 2010 will be the worst year for allergy sufferers in 10 years.
Flexing your spring-cleaning muscles can be an important way to maintain an allergy-free home. You may not realize that most commercial cleaning products are often the reason why many homes have lousy indoor air quality, in the first place. You see, commercial cleaners work fast, but they leave mountains of chemicals behind that may also set your allergies into motion - even hypoallergenic merchandise can rub some allergy sufferers the wrong way.
To avoid the potential irritation from chemical cleansers, consider cleaning your home the old fashioned way (and the eco-friendly way) with easily-found vinegar, salt, borax, lemon juice and baking soda instead. These natural, non-toxic ingredients are less likely to irritate you.
To begin your spring-cleaning, toss open a window (although pollen-filled, I'll bet that outdoor air will be a lot fresher than your indoor air), roll up your sleeves and plan for a deep spring cleaning. Follow our list of chores for a clean and allergy-free springtime abode:
- Scrub the bathrooms. A baking soda and water paste makes a great basin, tub and tile cleanser.
- Launder your bedding. Use a fragrance, dye and phosphate free brand of laundry detergent of your choosing.
- Change household filters. Air conditioner filters, lint traps, torn window screens, and even water filters should all be replaced frequently.
- Dust with a damp or electrostatically charged micro-fiber cloth to keep dust from rising into the air.
- Wash all garbage cans. A baking soda and water paste the consistency of toothpaste and a rag or sponge -- not a srubby pad -- are a great way to safely clean plastic garbage cans without leaving scratches.
- Disinfect or replace shower curtains and linings. If you'd rather wash them than replace them, a cup of salt in your rinse cycle will deter mold and mildew.
- Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. A HEPA model is the best. Vacuum everywhere -- even get under and behind the fridge -- you'll be amazed at the dust bunnies that have multiplied there all winter.
- Rake the yard of last fall's leaf piles that have sat there all winter and are now moldy if they haven't already turned into compost.
If you just can't give up using standard cleaning supplies, at least remember to wear facial and/or respiratory protection. Every spray and spritz leaves particulates in the air that you and your family and pets inhale.
Keep it allergy free: Remember, spring and summer are blooming times for trees, bushes, and flowers, and with the windows open, the gentle breezes will blow pollen into the room. On a weekly basis, wipe down surfaces like bedside tables, and change and launder your bed linens more often. If you are lucky enough to live somewhere you can dry linens in the sun, do so -- it's not only eco-friendly, they'll smell like heaven!
Learn about natural allergy treatments at AOL Health.
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
"You see, commercial cleaners work fast, but they leave mountains of chemicals behind that may also set your allergies into motion - even hypoallergenic merchandise can rub some allergy sufferers the wrong way."
ReplyI notice this about a year ago, but I never thought about these natural cleaning solutions. I started cleaning today so I was excited when I came across your article.
Thanks a million because my allergies have been driving me crazy this season!
Check out this website for the "The Legacy of Clean" products. They are great cleaning products for people with allergies or asthma. They cost the same amount of money (sometimes even a little cheaper) as if you purchase them in the store. Depending on the amount of your order sometimes shipping is free.
Love the product! Visit - www.amway.com/HomeHealthFitness and see for yourself.
Ohh and did I mention they are 100% money back guaranteed if your not satisfied.
BAD advice! If you are allergic to pollen and outdoor stuff, drying your linens outdoors causes major problems.
ReplyREALLY?! Dry your laudry ouside?! Do you mean where it can act like a collecting allergen filter for pollen and other allergens for the whole neighborhood?! Think on it.
ReplyMakes perfect sense to me. Wash all your bedding to get rid of dust and pollen, then set them to dry outside to collect more. LOL.
ReplyThat natural stuff is nice and all, but sometimes you need to use some good old fashioned Clorox. It's true about the fumes but just don't OD with it and open the windows before you clean and leave them open for a while after you're done cleaning.
ReplyAlso, salt to use in the washing machine for moldy shower liners? Why go through all of that when you could just buy a new liner? Or even better before the liner gets really badly mildewed,keep it maintained by cleaning it more often? If you buy expensive liners(I never pay more than $3 for mine) and you can't bear to part with it, then use a mixture of bleach and water and open the curtain or take it down and place it in the tub and spray the mixture on the mildew, wait a few minutes then rinse it off and hang it back up to air dry it.
ReplyWho writes these articles?!? Anyone who suffers from pollen allergies knows that the worst thing you could possibly do is to hang clothing outside to dry where it will collect even more pollen. The correct advice is the opposite, when you come in from outside, try to change your clothing and wash to prevent pollen that has attached itself to your clothing from being deposited on furniture, bedding, etc. PLEASE do not follow that advice given in the article!!!
Is there anyone who edits these articles? You would have to be a moron to follow some of this advice. Open your windows and let the pollen flow right into the house you just cleaned!
ReplyDOES ANYONE THINK ABOUT WHAT RUNNING SALT THROUGH YOUR WASHING MACHINE WILL DO TO IT?
ReplyWhat does salt do ???????????????????
I am thinking rust and abraision, what does anyone else think?
Replyamd52 My daughter has very bad asthma, and no 1 do not put salt in washing machine it will corride the inside and all motor parts, therefore having to purchase a new one...simple white vinegar will do the trick... and anyone with bad allergies known fact do not open windows use air conditioner (even though it costs more) the sufferer will thank you. And anyone with asthma or bad allergies for that matter do not rake leaves or little ones (do not play in leaves either) you will be greatful if you listen. Since this will be worst year for allergies make sure you have an albuterol inhaler intact and a nebulizer see your docotor pronto.. From one who knows and yes vacuum 2x a day at best and change linenes also, 2x or more a wk.
ReplyIt may work to add salt to your "rinse cycle", but adding salt to water in any steel machinery is just begging for a major breakdown. Why do you think cars near the sea or exposed to winter salting rust more quickly than cars in the desert? Why do you suppose ships require such heavy maintenance? Salts cause machinery to breakdown more rapidly and steel and other metals to rust or corrode more rapidly. Salt may be good for eliminating mold and mildew, but it wreaks havoc on your washing machine. BAD IDEA!
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