When allergy-proofing your house, the bedroom is the most important place to start. It is important to air your bed and bed coverings regularly between washes. Bedding should be aired outdoors on sunny days — dust mites are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and frequent exposure to the sun will reduce their numbers. Mattresses should be vacuumed once a week and blankets dry cleaned or laundered monthly. All bedding should be washed in hot water as mites are not removed in cold water.
Non-toxic, anti-allergenic sprays for mattresses and bedding and special mite-proof mattress covers are commercially available through Allersearch and other outlets. (The efficacy of these products has yet to be demonstrated in the prevention of asthma, but some asthmatics say they are helpful.) Areas around and underneath beds and bedroom furniture should be wiped clean regularly with a damp cloth.
If possible, do not have a carpet in the bedroom. Polished wood, cork or tiles are easier to clean and do not gather dust. Curtains and rugs should be made of synthetic, easy to wash materials. Instead of curtains, consider covering windows with plastic or wooden Venetian blinds; these cannot be penetrated by dust and are easy to wipe down.
Never allow an animal into the bedroom, even if it has the run of the rest of the house. (In most cases, it is best to keep pets outside at all times.) Keep the bedroom free of cigarette smoke and all other chemical odours and fumes. Keep windows and doors shut on windy days, particularly when there is pollen in the air. The house should also be kept completely closed on days of high pollution levels.
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ASTHMA AND HOME ENVIRONMENT: BEDDING AND BEDROOMS
Posted by 2011-06-29T16:19:54+00:00"> – June 29, 2011
