Dust builds up throughout your home. The dust may contain substances that trigger asthma symptoms, such as wheezing or coughing, or another allergic reaction, such as the rash of atopic dermatitis or stuffy nose of allergic rhinitis. These substances are called allergens. Dust mites are another example of an allergen.

Although there is no strong evidence that reducing dust and dust mites in your home will reduce symptoms of asthma or allergic reactions, the following steps may be helpful.

AVOID HARSH CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS

Before you break out your carpet shampoo and steam cleaner, you’ll want to hear this: conventional carpet cleaners often include perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which are highly toxic treatments used to repel liquids (like nonstick cookware). PFCs are terrible for our health as they build up in our bodies and can cause damage to our organs and endocrine systems and other issues. They also never break down in the environment. Conventional carpet cleaners are also highly fragranced (containing phthalates, which are highly toxic) and can contain toxins and allergens like ammonium hydroxide.

Masters Carpet Care uses Green Guard Carpet and Fabric Protector by TriPlex is an EPA and DfE approved film forming encapsulating, water based protectant which aids in the prevention of re-soiling of carpets and upholstery. Extremely economical. 1 gallon of concentrated Green Guard will make approx 9 gallons of ready to use protectant which covers up to 6000 SQFT!  Eco Friendly and Pet Safe.

LAUNDRY & DEODORIZING

Keeping bedding and clothing clean definitely helps reduce allergen exposure – both from indoor allergens like dust and dust mites, as well as outdoor allergens like pollen that can come home on our clothes, shoes and school gear. Unfortunately, many laundry products contain respiratory irritants and residues that allow for mold and bacteria growth.

Your top tips for selecting an allergy-friendly laundry product are to (again!) avoid fragrances and use a toxin-free product for stain treating and deodorizing.

IMPROVE YOUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Keeping your indoor air quality up can really help reduce allergy and asthma symptoms. Start by using a HEPA air filter and high quality HVAC filters, which can reduce the amount of dust and allergens circulating around your home. Use exhaust fans periodically in the kitchen and bathrooms to help remove cooking fumes and moisture from the air.

Most importantly: don’t use caustic cleaners or conventional air fresheners and candles! Conventional cleaning products contain harsh toxins that have been found to be as dangerous to our bodies as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Fragranced items can have a laundry list of toxic chemicals hidden within their ingredient labels (including phthalates which are used to make scents last), and even essential oils may not be safer, particularly for those suffering from respiratory conditions.

GET RID OF MOLD AND MILDEW

Many allergy and asthma sufferers find that a humidifier can help ease their symptoms, but if you’re not careful, they can also contribute to triggering symptoms. Humidifiers need to be cleaned frequently to avoid mold and bacteria growth.

The added moisture in the air can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can then trigger symptoms. Both kitchen and bathroom tile and window sills are places that harbor mold, so frequently give them a wipe down with

Where To Focus

You should focus your efforts on the rooms you use the most, namely the bedroom. We spend, on average, a third of our lives asleep. For many, allergy symptoms are worst in the morning and improve throughout the day because of the air in their bedrooms. Regular cleaning of sheets, surfaces (including window blinds), and carpeting can significantly mitigate the suffering. If you have pets, be sure to clean the places where they spend the most time.