DO NOT ALLOW ALLERGIES TO END YOUR DAILY LIFE AND LESS IN YOUR OWN HOME. IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS YEAR-ROUND, TAKE A FEW STEPS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ALLERGENS IN YOUR HOME.
TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR HOME AND SO YOU CAN BE CALM.
BEDROOM
COVER PILLOWS AND MATTRESSES WITH MITE SHEETS. WASH THEM ONCE A WEEK
REPLACE WOOL BEDDING WITH SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
REMOVE RUGS CHANGE THEM WITH WASHABLE RUGS OR SHORT PILE RUGS, VACUUM THEM WEEKLY WITH SMALL PARTICLE FILTER VACUUMS
USE WASHABLE OR COTTON, SYNTHETIC AND WASHABLE CURTAINS
CLOSE THE WINDOWS IN POLLEN SEASON. USE AIR CONDITIONING
CHOOSE EASY-TO-CLEAN LEATHER, WOOD, METAL, OR PLASTIC CHAIRS, DRESSERS, AND NIGHTSTANDS.
REMOVE ITEMS THAT COLLECT DUST, SUCH AS KNICKKNACKS, TABLE DECORATIONS, BOOKS, AND MAGAZINES. STORE CHILDREN'S TOYS, GAMES, AND STUFFED ANIMALS IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS.
LIVING ROOM
USE HARDWOOD FLOORS OR WASHABLE RUGS. WASH RUGS AND MATS EVERY WEEK, AND SHAMPOO CARPETS WALL-TO-WALL PERIODICALLY.
CONSIDER REPLACING UPHOLSTERED CHAIRS AND ARMCHAIRS WITH FURNITURE MADE OF LEATHER, WOOD, METAL, OR PLASTIC.
USE WASHABLE CURTAINS MADE OF COTTON OR SYNTHETIC FABRIC.
USE DOUBLE GLASS WINDOWS IF YOU LIVE IN COLD WEATHER AREAS.CLEAN MOLD AND CONDENSATION FROM WINDOW SILLS.
FIND A NEW HOME FOR POTTED PLANTS OR PUT AQUARIUM GRAVEL ON TOP OF THE SOIL TO HELP CONTAIN MOLD.
AVOID USING FIREPLACES OR WOOD STOVES, AS SMOKE AND FUMES CAN WORSEN RESPIRATORY ALLERGIES.
KITCHEN
INSTALL AND USE AN EXHAUST FAN WITH VENTILATION SYSTEM TO REMOVE COOKING VAPORS AND REDUCE HUMIDITY.
WASH THE DISHES DAILY. CLEAN THE SINK AND FAUCETS TO REMOVE MOLD AND FOOD DEBRIS.
REFRIGERATOR REGULARLY CLEAN TO PREVENT MOLD. REMOVE EXPIRED FOOD
CLEAN CABINETS AND COUNTERS WITH DETERGENT AND WATER. CHECK THE CABINETS UNDER THE SINK FOR PLUMBING LEAKS. STORE FOOD, INCLUDING PET FOOD, IN CLOSED CONTAINERS
KEEPING THE KITCHEN FREE OF FOOD CRUMBS WILL HELP REDUCE THE CHANCE THAT YOU HAVE RODENTS OR ROACHES.
BATHROOM
VENTILATION. INSTALL AND USE AN EXHAUST FAN TO REDUCE HUMIDITY WHILE BATHING.
FLOORS. REMOVE RUGS AND USE TILE, VINYL, WOOD, OR LINOLEUM FLOORS. USE WASHABLE RUGS.
WALLS. REMOVE THE WALLPAPER AND TILE, OR PAINT THE WALLS WITH ANTI-MOLD ENAMEL PAINT.
SHOWER AND BATH. TOWEL AND SHOWER SCREENS DRY AFTER USING.
CLEAN MOLD FROM BATHTUBS, SHOWERS, AND FAUCETS WITH BLEACH.
CLEAN OR REPLACE MOLDY CURTAINS AND BATHROOM RUGS.
TOILET AND SINK. REMOVE MOLD FROM PLUMBING FIXTURES WITH A RAG. REPAIR LOSSES.