Dealing with dust and allergies when spring cleaning?

Spring has sprung, time to get ready to get out the dust mop! If you are like myself, and my family you have problems with indoor and outdoor allergies this time of year. But don't distress! There is hope, there are lots of little ways you can avoid a reaction. That is what an allergy is, an allergic reaction to a foreign body in YOUR body. So if it cant be avoided altogether coming in contact with an allergen, then take precautions.

Here are a few things to think about before starting. OK, what type of vacuum do you have? If you do not have one that catches the dust in water you need to borrow one from some one who does. This cleans the carpet better and it doesn't allow dust particles to fly back up out of the sweeper into the air into your eyes and nose. Use this on the carpets till the water is clear.

Do you have some sort of air filter in the home? One that has a hepa filter. I recommend and use the carico brand, you can find more out on carico.com. This has a 10 stage filter and it has ozone and ionization. It helps cut down on dust, it also kills mold and mildew. I recommend finding one and letting it run in the house on high for a few days BEFORE you start.

FLOORS. Now on your floors that are tile, stone, hardwood, linoleum I do not recommend sweeping with the old dust pan and broom. This obviously just stirs up dust in the air. I use a vacuum for hard surface floors that also has a dry dust cloth attached to pick up any dust and it works great. Of course after that you want to do some damp mopping before you really put a shine to it. Any time you can use water or a product to dampen and make the dust particles heavier so they don't fly around and can be picked up it will be best.

OK, of course any time you can use environmentally and user friendly products you should. There are lots of items out there available that are less harmful and hypoallergenic. You can get these at the grocery store, or one that I can recommend is melalueca. You have to find a rep. or just go to the website and join. This is definitely something you want to look into if you are sensitive to a lot of cleaners.

Now you want to get started! Just use common sense and a few items like GLOVES AND MASKS. Buy them and use them, keep them on hand. You also want to NOT, mix any chemicals. Use safer products, and use a vacuum that cleans with water. You really want to invest in the hard floor sweeper that has a dry dust pad attached, these are great. Remember to check with your doctor first but it's a good idea to take something for allergies like benadryl, or whatever works for you before you start. Now LETS GET CLEANING!

Learn more about this author, Karen Loudermilk.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to deal with dust allergies and other spring cleaning respiratory problems?
We want to hear your view. Write now!