It is important to eliminate as many indoor allergens as you can, especially if you have young children or a respiratory condition. For anyone eliminating the things that cause allergies in your home can make everyone feel better and have more energy.
I’ve started a series that will teach you just where those indoor allergy triggers live and how to easily eliminate them. This is the second post in the series. If you missed post 1, please click here to catch up.
Remove the Dust Mites
Dust mites love to live in all sorts of places in your home, and regular vacuuming and the washing of bedding and clothing can certainly go a long way to get rid of them, but did you know that you are probably missing a huge source of dust mites in your home?
To get rid of these crawlies, look to your keepsakes and art work, especially holiday items. After weeks or months of sitting around, these things are harboring colonies of the critters. Regular dusting helps but does not get rid of the majority of dust mites. Instead, you have to wash whatever you can in hot water. If you have an item that cannot get hot or wet, try this method: put the item in a plastic bag and then freeze it for five hours. The dust mites will die because of the cold and the lack of air.
Oh Christmas Tree
Speaking of holiday items, think about that Christmas tree of yours. Studies have found that the indoor counts of mold spores multiply for each day that a live Christmas tree sits in your home. Next year, consider waiting until the last possible moment to buy your tree. Otherwise, consider a nice artificial tree that will look beautiful year after year and remain mold and decay free.
Well, cleaning all of those keepsakes will keep you busy for a bit. Don’t forget to keep checking back to the Health Blog. We still have other areas of your home that can become healthier for you and your family.
Time to Clear Out the Medicine Cabinet