Cleaning Tips

01 December 2010

All sorts of asthma and allergy triggers can accumulate in your home, especially house dust mites and mould. These spring cleaning tips can help reduce the impact of these common triggers on you and your family.

House dust mites

House dust mites are tiny little creatures that feed off human skin scales. Their droppings are a common cause of allergies in humid parts of Australia.

In the bedroom:

  • Wash sheets and pillow cases weekly in water hotter than 55°C
  • Remove soft toys from bedrooms, or wash weekly in water hotter than 55°C
  • Open curtains and air bedding in the sunshine
  • Cover mattresses, quilts and pillows with dust mite-resistant encasings

Around the house:

  • Use a damp or electrostatic cloth to dust hard surfaces (including floors) - this dramatically reduces the dust in the air while cleaning
  • Ask someone else to do the vacuuming, as this increases allergens in the air for up to 20 minutes
  • Consider using an asthma and allergy sensitive vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
  • Keep rooms dry and well-ventilated - good insulation helps make your home comfortable for you, not the dust mites!
  • Clear out the clutter. Fewer places for dust to collect means fewer dust mites, and it also makes your home easier to keep clean
  • Remember to clean blinds and curtains regularly
  • Consider house dust mite measures when building or renovating

Mould

A home that is damp, has visible mould, mildew or a musty smell can cause problems.

  • Remove visible mould with bleach or other mould reduction cleaners - if you are sensitive to strong odours, wear a mask or ask someone else to do this for you
  • Seal leaks in bathrooms and roofs
  • Clear overflowing gutters and blocked underfloor vents
  • Remove indoor pot plants (which promote mould growth)



 
 

Tags:

allergies, asthma, cleaning, combating allergies, dust mites, hay fever, mould
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