So okay, of course it's impossible to completely rid your home of allergens. And who would want to live that way, anyway? But for those of us who suffer uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating allergies, there are many easy and relatively inexpensive ways to minimize potential allergens while still maintaining a warm and hospitable home.
What You Need
Materials
Good vacuum with a HEPA filter
Allergy-control pillow, mattress, and box spring covers
Re-usable dust mop
Good quality handheld vacuum
Shoe rack
Instructions
1. If you're allergic to dust mites, pollen, or animal dander, it's wise to invest in a very good vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters provide filtration of smaller particles than standard vacuum filters. Miele vacuums, while pricey, are known for being among the best vacuums when it comes to trapping allergens.
2. Minimize carpets in your home. Hardwood floors are easier to clean; dust mites and allergens are inevitable with carpets. Of course, we all want to have rugs of some kind, so choose low-pile rugs (which don't trap allergens as easily as thick-pile) and vacuum them at least once a week. Avoid carpet in the bedroom completely.
3. Buy a re-usable microfiber dust mop. While not as effective as vacuums, these are so easy to use that you'll likely want to clean the floors more often (instead of having to drag out the vacuum every time). Dust mops do a good job of gathering up potential allergens from little nooks and crannies that the vacuum can't reach.
4. Focus on your bedroom. This is where you spend the majority of your time at home, and mattresses and pillows naturally develop dust mites over time. Use good quality dust-mite-proof pillow, mattress, and box spring covers. National Allergy covers are reliable (and recommended by allergists). They use a soft fabric that doesn't feel like plastic (unlike some other commercial allergy covers).
5. We all love to read in bed, but bookcases in the bedroom are a no-no for allergy sufferers too, as books gather a ton of dust. Just keep a couple of books on your bedside table and switch them out as you finish them. Also try to avoid upholstered furniture in the bedroom.
6. If you have a pet, buy a good handheld vacuum so you can easily vacuum your sofas and upholstered chairs. Even if your pet doesn't lie on the furniture, dander hangs in the air and gets trapped in upholstery. The Shark Handvac is inexpensive and reliable. It doesn't hold a charge very well (no handheld vacuums do), but if you just charge it for a few minutes before use, it will go for a while.
7. Consider making a shoe-free rule in your house. Even if you're uncomfortable asking guests to remove their shoes, you can always institute this rule among family members. Keep a shoe rack by your most-frequented door. This is the most effective way to minimize allergens from outdoors.
8. Avoid heavy draperies and blinds on your windows; both are likely to trap more dust than roller shades or washable curtains.
Minimizing allergens has made me feel more welcome in my own home. As hay fever season comes on, I hope these tips help some of you too! Anything to add? Feel free to weigh in below!
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Good tips... I really need to institute some of these.
Btw, I'd love to see a post about clever shoe-rack ideas... preferably things we can DIY. It seems like shoe holders tend to only hold a few shoes and take up a lot of space. Maybe hooks on the wall?
Love that rug! Can you please provide more info?
Thanks for sharing these ideas, I get major allergies in the spring/summer so hopefully some of these will help.
Love the rug too. Sadly, I just bought one for my living room but this blue and red one is so so perfect. Any info would be great. Thanks!
Thanks for the nice comments about our rug, everyone! It came from Nomad Rugs on 24th Street in Noe Valley here in San Francisco. He has an amazing selection.
- Susie
I should convince my parents to buy that Miele vacuum. Whenever I visit them, my allergies act up because they have 3 dogs.
I keep a dehumidifier in my bedroom during the summer to help with my allergies (which get pretty bad here in Austin). I bought my little home dehumidifier here which I use with some HEPA filters that work wonders.
we finally broke down and bought pillow, mattress and duvet covers from http://www.missionallergy.com
i'm incredibly allergic to both types of dust mites (there are two) and these really work well so far. granted, i've only had them for a week, but sleeping and waking up has improved immensely. we made sure to get the premium covers as they come with a lifetime warranty. sorry, i know i sound like a commercial right now.
i got a catalogue from my allergist with a coupon inside. the website looks pretty lame .. don't let it fool you.
also, i have a rabbitair purifier. it seems to do the job well and definitely responds to the poor air quality when i open a window or shake out a blanket. it doesn't work so great with dust mites, but air purifiers in general don't do so well with mites as they are not typically airborne.
I do pretty much all of this already; sadly, Zyrtec will be in my life forever.
Vacuum the bed. You spend 8 hours breathing in whatever's on it. I vacuum one room of my apartment every day (I hate having carpet, but it's a rental), and when I vacuum the bedroom, I vacuum the bed. I live with 2 cats, and I'm allergic, but I have virtually no symptoms.
I recently replaced my 15 year old Miele with a new one (w/hepa filter) I not only use it on floors, but also on upholstery. Since it has 6 settings, (and I have a small house) I don't see the need for a handheld vac.
Also have a problem with mildew (foggy, damp climate, old house) so I bought an LG dehumidifier which I try to remember to use daily.
I need to check out the mattress cover, etc. Already have pillow covers, but also have a cat that loves to sleep with me.
This makes me want to use my Bona hardwood floor mop more often. Can't live with no carpet in the bedroom, though. I hate getting out of bed to cold floors so I have throw rugs that are washable.
I second the Miele vacuum, especially if you have pets. Well worth the money!
Also, replacing my upholstered sofa with a leather one has made a world of difference. Easier to keep clean with a dog in the house, and no dust mites where I spend the most indoor time (aside from bed).
I've suffered from allergies to trees, weeds and more since 13. The new generation of antihistamines are superb. Homeopathics by BioAllers, targeting specific allergens are superb. Zicam allergy formula is good. Eliminating dairy, replacing it with almond and rice milk (not soy) has been essential. Salt sprays at least in the AM are essential.
Fine points in your article!
Talley Trans, Inc.
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I love my Purenight filter (https://www.purenight.com/). It is odd looking, but incredibly effective.
I'm still in awe of the cheetah print wall to wall carpet in the last photo! Very interesting choice of pattern in this obviously male household (and note the the hand weights.)
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I have a Miele too and love it. They are guaranteed for about 25 years so why not spend the money?! Just remember to replace the HEPA filter every year.
As far as shoe racks go (yiyehtov asked) I have the BESTA unit from Ikea. It's the basic bench unit with two drawers in the front for shoes. I think it is typically used as a media stand and the drawers are for cds/dvds etc. Our shoes are hidden away and the bench is nice for sitting on to put on your shoes.
Where is the bedding from? I love it!
livc - the bedding looks like the pintuck duvet cover from west elm. http://www.westelm.com/products/b340/?pkey=cduvet-covers-quilts
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the scientific evidence for avoidance therapy in environmental allergies, namely those in the home, is poor. Some measures may make a difference, but generally they are not enough to maintain real symptomatic relief for people with allergies. For those who swear by it, it may work... but placebo can also have a very strong effect. Also, it's incredibly time consuming and expensive.
We just bought a Dyson, which also comes with a permanent, washable HEPA filter. I love those commercials, and seeing all the dust and dirt you've just sucked up is neat and rather satisfying. (Smart design move to make the canister clear).
While searching reviews online, Miele and Dyson were at the top in both price and favourable reviews. Does anyone have info on how the two compare? Curious.
Who would be uncomfortable asking someone to remove their shoes upon entering the house? It's standard etiquette to take off your shoes when going into someone's house. Just surprised that tip had to make the list.
As an allergy sufferer, I do institute a lot of those tips, but still have to faithfully take an oral antihistamine, steroid nasal spray and have my asthma inhalers close by. Environmental avoidance only goes so far.
thanks for the tips! zyrtec don't hurt either. thanks
All GREAT suggestions.
More along the lines of Zyrtec, but different, I'd say try sinus rinsing: A Neti Pot or the Sinus Rinse product seen at http://www.neilmed.com/usa/products.php
Changed my life.
What about steam cleaners? I started a company that rents out steam cleaners because they are so expensive to buy and everyone I know either has allergies or kids with allergies. The steam cleaner can be used on virtually any surface and it kills mold and dustmites. They are great for mattresses and upholstered furniture so you can have soft furnishings and still not suffer from allergies. The website to rent in the greater SF bay area is www.steamitgone.com.
Miele actually has a new vacuum made especially for Cat & Dog. Available through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Miele-S516-Canister-Cleaner-Handheld/dp/B0012XUYJ6
They are pricey, but so worth it! I love mine.
4 words of awesome-ness:
Powerful. Quiet. Attachments. Colors.
That carpet in photo #8 is hideous.
Husband and I both had pretty bad allergies most of the year. The Miele vacuum helps keep dust down, along with our HEPA filters, mattress covers, etc. Shortly after going off dairy and wheat, we became almost symptom-less. If you have terrible allergies and a clean home doesn't help, you might want to see a naturopath about possible food causes for your immune being out of whack. Good tips for keeping indoor air quality good though - thank you.
Yes, carpets, dust mites and allergens are very good friends. Fortunately most of our house floor is hardwood and few carpets. All the above advice is great but there is one more thing that should be mentioned.
Because we live in a fairly humid area and I suffer from allergy I have found that a good dehumidifier is a must have for our home. Not only does it help control dust mites and allergens but also keeps the air fresh and clean as well as the humidity level at more bearable levels. It also avoids damage to your home and possessions
Dehumidifier Reviews has some excellent advice and tips on the best dehumidifiers for your home.
One of the best articles I have seen written on this topic. Really informative. One of my children has asthma so we found this asthma site and were able to get some really good products to help her out. Again, great article thanks a lot.
Sorry, here is the link http://www.allergyasthmatech.com/