While 10 to 30% of the global population have seasonal allergies, around 300 million people also have asthma, often caused by indoor allergens such as indoor air pollution and dust mites. While you can't control what happens outside your front door, you do have control of your home environment. But while maintaining a clean home is a crucial way to reduce allergens, some cleaning products can actually trigger symptoms.
Not only that but many of the products we use to clean our homes can also be harmful to the environment. But this doesn't mean you should stop cleaning your home, instead consider switching to alternative cleaning products and techniques that are not only better for allergy sufferers but for the environment too.
Cleaning Routine For Allergens
There's no specific cure for allergies, and it's not possible to eliminate allergens from your home, but you can significantly reduce the risk. If you have allergies, you will benefit from regular cleaning to minimize mold, pollen, dust mites, pet hair and cockroach droppings. Surfaces regularly touched such as desks, handrails, door handles, light switches, and chairs should be routinely disinfected. Good ventilation, reducing dust-collecting clutter in your home, regularly vacuuming carpets and washing blankets, throws and bed linen in hot water every week should also be part of your regular cleaning routine.
Clear Out Your Clutter
Regardless of the size of our homes, they can accumulate a lot of clutter. Children, spouses, families and even pets have a habit of collecting all manner of objects that can clutter up your home. While too much clutter can pose a fire hazard, the mold, animal dander and dust that collects in cluttered homes are extremely bad for allergies and asthma. Getting organized and clearing out all the clutter that's a haven for dust will not only make it easier to keep your house clean but also remove the dust particles and allergens in the air that will aggravate your allergies.
Toxins Hiding In Your Home
You may think regular cleaning with traditional household cleaners will be enough to reduce the allergens in your home that could trigger your allergies or asthma. Many conventional cleaners contain chlorine bleach, triclosan, synthetic dyes, petroleum-derived ingredients and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
These can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, aggravate existing health problems such as respiratory issues, allergies and asthma and cause headaches. But it's not just your health that's at risk. The chemicals in these cleaning products can release toxins into the air and chemicals into the waterways, which can impact the wildlife and fauna of our planet.
Keep Your Home Well Ventilated
A simple but often overlooked way to keep your home feeling fresh and reduce allergens is ventilation. While the easiest way to do this is by just opening a window, it can sometimes increase the allergens by allowing pollen to find its way into your home. When you want to air out your home, open the windows on days when the pollen count is low, and it's not windy. On the days you choose to keep your windows closed, use your air conditioner to keep the air re-circulating around your home. An air filter can also help to reduce the allergies at home by eliminating dust and pollen from the air. For this you can contact best ac repair denver service provider.
Healthy And Green Cleaning Products
The best type of eco-friendly cleaning products for people with allergies is those that are non-toxic. Products that market themselves as 'green' are generally better but carefully read the labels as some can still contain substances that could irritate. Opt for brands that provide detailed ingredient information and use plant-based ingredients and no solvents or phosphates. Better yet, you will likely have the ingredients already in your cupboard to make your own green cleaners. For instance, vegetable oil with lemon juice can clean and protect furniture. At the same time, baking soda and vinegar also make a powerful cleaning solution, and for a fresh, natural scent, add some lemon juice.
Steam Clean Your Home
Dust mites are the leading trigger of asthma attacks, and pollen is the prevailing cause of allergens. Vacuuming and dusting your home will remove some of the allergens that have accumulated in your home. But a steam cleaner can do so much more as it acts like a washing machine for your carpets, bedding, curtains, rugs and your upholstered furniture by releasing hot steam. Regular steam cleaning will not only removes bacteria and dirt but also washes out dust mites, dust mite allergens, pet dander and pollen without the need for any harsh chemicals.
It's impossible to eliminate every last allergen particle from your home. However, cleaning your home regularly with green, environmentally-friendly products with plant-based ingredients can significantly reduce the allergen count and create a healthier home and a healthier planet.
