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HOW TO AVOID ALLERGENS AT HOME

Many respiratory and skin irritations are caused from allergens in the home such as tobacco smoke, harsh cleaning substances, perfumes, dyes, dust, and dust mites.

Never allow anyone to smoke in your home. Tobacco smoke leaves a nasty, sticky film on everything in the room including your drapes, furniture upholstery, carpets, and electronic devices. Many people are severly allergic to tobacco smoke and the residue it leaves behind. It causes everything from skin rashes, sore throat, and sinus infections to chronic asthma and COPD. Instead of smoking in the house, smoke on the back porch or in the yard.

Many people also have allergic reactions to harsh chemicals and perfumes from cleaning supplies. Try using natural cleaners such as vinegar, lemon, and baking soda instead of the expensive commercial cleaners that are not safe. Also, avoid using the powdered carpet odor absorbing powders. These powders get trapped in your carpet and the perfumes left behind can cause respiratory irritation. Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet before vacuuming instead.

Sometimes dyes in fabrics and upholstery can cause skin irritation. If you find that you or a family member are having skin rashes shortly after purchasing a new piece of upholstered furniture or throw blanket, then it could be caused by a sensitivity to the dye in the fabric. Wash the throw blanket or put a cover over the new furniture and see if the rash improves in a couple of days.

The single best defense against dust and dust mites is a Dyson vacuum cleaner. The Dyson picks up dust and dirt like no other vacuum I've ever tried and believe me, as a vacuum cleaner salesperson I've tried plenty. It is the only vacuum cleaner approved by the Allergy and Asthma Association because it actually leaves the air cleaner as it is used instead of blowing dust back into the air like most other vacuums. Use the Dyson to vacuum drapes, upholstery, stairways, area rugs, carpets, sofas, chairs, throw pillows, and mattresses.

I also suggest that you use a waterproof mattress protector and pillow protectors such as Protect-A-Bed brand products. A mattress that is left unprotected can more than double in weight in about ten years from dust, dust mites, and body fluids. Not a very attractive thought, but true.

Although it is almost impossible to keep all allergens out of our homes, we can still greatly reduce them in order to keep ourselves and our loved ones happy and healthy.

Learn more about this author, Kaitlyn Hamilton.
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