Living with allergies is tough enough when you can’t control the environment and air quality around you. So for allergy sufferers like myself it is very important that we (to some extent) control our home’s air quality and environment. The following are eight tips that I’ve used to make my home environment healthier and I hope they can help you too.

1. Keep the house clean and as dust-free as possible. Least expensive, yet extremely effective. Use a Swiffer instead of a broom - this eliminates returning the dust and dirt particles into the air. The Swiffer cloth can also be used to dust furniture. Feather dusters only throw the dust back into the air. A more expensive solution would be to use a Bagless HEPA vacuum instead of using a broom, and it has the advantage of also being useful in cleaning upholstery items: drapes and sofas. Recently (March 2008) I switched from using a vacuum cleaner to using the iRobot Roomba. The Roomba and the Scooba (the mopping robot) are a Godsend for those of us with allergies. The two adorable robots do all the work and keep my floors very clean. Quite expensive home cleaning appliances but worth every penny.

2. Clean all bedding - duvet covers, sheets, etc once a week in hot water to get rid of animal dander, dust and other allergens.

3. Purchase allergy proof pillows and bedding such as Lands’ End Pure Loft . If you aren’t able to purchase allergan proof pillows and bedding you can always use protective coverings on your mattress and pillows. This greatly reduces the occurrence of dust mites which will lessen allergic reactions.

4. Have the air ducts in the home cleaned at least twice a year. This reduces mold allergies.

5. I have cats and birds - which it turns out that I’m allergic to. So to combat my allergies to my pets I purchased air purifiers for the home. I highly recommend The Ionic Breeze from Sharper Image. I have used others in the past and they pale in comparison. The Ionic Breeze is also very effective in cleaning dust and mold. It has made a tremendous impact on my respiratory health.

6. Replace fabric drapes with easy to clean (wipe down) blinds. If fabric drapes are to be kept I suggest dry cleaning every one to two months. Dust is a terrible aggravator of allergies and fabrics are magnets for dust.

7. Leather seating (sofas and chairs) is preferable to fabric sofas. That can be pricey but in the long run your health will be better.

8. This is a more expensive solution but again it’s a short term cost versus a long term health gain: remove every inch of carpet in the home and replace with wood, tile or vinyl.

Some of these solutions may not be considered “inexpensive” but in the long run having a healthy robust life you can enjoy is worth it. You may actually save money on doctor visits, emergency room visits and prescriptions by simply keeping your home environment as allergen-free as you can.

Updated on May 19, 2008

Popularity: 8%

Subscribe

Subscribe by email

Related Shopping and Resources

Salvador Modenature Furniture - haroo and haroo (dallas, tx) offers exclusive european contemporary furniture and lighting to high-end interior designers all over the western hemisphere.

Share This Decorating Article