Don't Share Your Bed With Dust Mites
If you suffer from allergies indoors, it's highly likely that you're allergic to dust mites. They'll make a home in your carpet, curtains, mattress and pillows. If you don't want to breathe these nasty little guys in while you sleep, protect your new mattress and pillows with dust mite-proof covers. Plus, if you think moving your mattress is difficult now, wait ten years for dust mites and their waste to double the weight of your mattress. Covers can keep the dust mites and allergens out of your new mattress and pillows, or serve to lock existing allergens in where they can't affect your breathing.
Regularly change your High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.
A dirty air filter not only aggravates allergies but is also the number one cause of HVAC system failure. HEPA filters remove a minimum of 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or smaller. For a size comparison, a human hair is about 75 microns across and a dust mite allergen measures from.1 to.3 micron. According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, there could be as many as 19,000 dust mites in one gram of dust. You can keep those dust particles out of your air by changing your filter at least every two months as suggested by AC companies and doctors alike. Pick an air filter with a higher MERV rating. They're more expensive, but they catch more contaminants.
Eliminate Dust
Your vacuum is your friend. Pair it with a HEPA filter and you've got a grime-fighting, dynamic duo. Vacuums with HEPA filters can trap those microscopic allergens while using a lesser filter amounts to stirring them up in the air. Allergy sufferers should vacuum at least twice a week (and possibly more often if you have a pet). While you're in the cleaning mood, take the next step and get your mop in on the cleaning action. Mopping after vacuuming will take care of what the vacuum could have missed.
Leave Your Dirt at the Door
This one's easy. Get a boot tray for your entryway and lose your shoes once you're inside. This will keep you from tracking dirt, dust, pollen or whatever else is stuck to your shoes all over your house. If you want a boot tray without the visually displeasing mud buildup, place a layer of river rocks or stones in the tray. Mud, dirt and dust will sift to the bottom of the tray where you can't see it. We're not saying to neglect your cleaning responsibilities (rinse that tray off every once in awhile!). We're just suggesting a boot tray option that's more shabby-chic than eyesore.
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