Step 1 - Start with an Allergen-Control Plan:

Work with your regular doctor or clinic to find out which allergens affect you or your family members the most. If asthma flares happen a lot your doctor may suggest medication or life style changes. Keep an asthma diary.

Concentrate on controlling the allergens.

Start with the easiest, least expensive ways, like cleaning. Be sure not to forget about cleaning your vehicle interior regularly. Your vehicle is another overlooked area of concern. Set up your cleaning plan one room at a time, beginning with where the allergy-sufferer sleeps. For example:

Wash bedding and curtains.
Dust and vacuum daily.
Have your carpet, upholstered furniture and matress cleaned professionally every six months.
Have your vehicles interior cleaned professionally every 6 months. Clean the heating and air conditioning vents of your vehicle thoroughly.
Treat carpet, furniture and matress with Anti-Allergen Treatment every 6 months.
Clean window sills and frames reguarly. 
Wet mop hard surface floors daily.

Step 2 - Bedrooms:

Almost every home has dust mites. You can't see them but they are there. They feed on our skin flakes, as we shed about two pounds each year. We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so most dust mites are in our pillows, bedding and bedroom carpets. You can control them by keeping bedding clean and controlling dust. Dust mites in the bedroom are a trigger for people with allergies and asthma.

Use special mite-proof covers to keep dust mites from getting into pillows. They are sometimes called "allergen-impermeable". If you don't use covers, wash pillows at least 4 times a year, and replace them every year.

Mattresses should be cleaned every six months by a professional cleaner using an extraction method to reduce allergens. A professional cleaner can also apply a Anti-Allergen Treatment to reduce allergen irritants between regular cleaning. Regular cleaning of carpets and upholstery should be part of your allergen-control plan. Start by calling A Healthy Home Plus today at 682-9483.

Warmth + Moisture + Skin = Dust Mites!

Wash sheets in hot water-treat once a month with Anti-Allergen rinse.
Wash pillows at least 4 times a year (unless you use a mite proof cover).
Wash blankets and comforters at least every 6 months.
Professionally clean mattresses at least every 6 months.
Use room air filter devices.

Step 3 - Bathrooms:

Mold and mildew are tiny plants that grow where it's warm and damp-like in the shower.
They release invisible "spores" into the air. The floating spores trifgger allergy and asthma episodes. And wherever they land, the spores start growing new mold.

Mold can grow on appliances - like air conditioners, dehumidifiers and humidifiers. Follow manufacturer's instructions to change filters and clean regularly.

To find products that remove or control mildew - read the label. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for wearing protective equipment if required. You can use an anti-bacterial product 2 or 3 times a week to prevent mold from coming back.

Clean shower stall and bathtubs weekly.
Clean soap scum weekly as mildew grows on it.
Wash shower curtains monthly.
Wipe up water around tubs and showers daily.
Wash towels and bathmats weekly.
Keep area under the sink dry and clean.

Step 4 - Kitchen:

Cockroaches are attrated to food and moisture-including crumbs, cooking grease and plain water. After dust mites, cockroaches are the second largest group of indoor allergens. It's important to remove or tightly cover all food and water, especially at night when cockroaches are more active. 

Food + Water = Mold!

Cockroaches are often found around the refridgerator because of food spilss and dampness. These spills and moisture also grow mold. Keeping your refrigerator clean is an important part of controlling allergens. Follow the cleaning instructions in your owner's manual.

Clean food and grease from stove daily.
Clean up food and spills, crumbs and liquids on counter tops and floors immediately.
Empty trash daily.
Clean the outside and inside of the refridgerator.
Wash floors at least weekly.
Keep food in closed containers.
Use baits, gel or borax to get rid of cockroaches. Follow product instructions carefully.

Step 5 - Living Areas:

When children play and crawl on the floor, they can breathe in allergens. Keep carpet, furniture and curtains as clean and dust free as possible. All home furnishings should be professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Cleaning frequency is based on the number of people in the home, if you have pets or smokers and the amount of outside dust and pollution. To find out how often you should clean your carpet professionally...Click Here!

When you vacuum, some of the allergens trapped in carpets and upholstery are thrown into the air. Whenever possible, have a non-allergic person do the vacuuming. Or, wear a dust mask and goggles if eye allergies are a problem.

Use a vacuum that has HEPA (99.7% effecicient) filter and/or exhaust filter; or use a special bag that hold allergens inside the bag. Vacuum at least once a week or more often if you have a pet. Empty the bag when it's half full (or throw it away if it's disposable).

An upright vacuum or a canister with a powered head is best for carpet. A canister vacuum without a powered nozzle is fine for cleaning upholstery, draperies, blinds and light dusting. Check the condition of your vacuum regualarly or have one of our trained technichians inspect it for FREE.  
 
Mold and fungus can begin to grow very quickly in wet or damp carpeting, especially if the conditions are correct. Carpets that have been damp or wet for more than 24 hours should be professionally cleaned and restored.

Have carpets, upholstery, area rugs and mattresses professionally cleaned on a regular basis.
Vacuum carpets at least once a week using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.
Do not allow carpet to remain damp or wet for longer than 24 hours.
Clean and dry window frames and sills regulary.
Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures at least monthly.
Use washable rugs at doors to catch dust, pollen and soil before it enters your home and wash rugs at least monthly.
Vacuum upholstered furniture regularly.
Damp mop hard surface floors at least weekly.

Dirty Carpets & Fabrics Hold Dust Mites + Pollens + Animal Dander = Allergies!

Step 6 - Air Handling System:

Most homes and offices use a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC). Other homes may have central heating but use wall unit air conditioners. All heating and cooling systems should be cleaned on a regular basis.

Air duct systems can hold dust,  pollen, animal dander, dust mite allergens and mold spores. If you are an allergy sufferer and have never had your air handling system cleaned, you may want to have this service performed.

Condensation in the air conditioning system, particularly during the summer, can collect and be a breeding ground for mold. Make sure the system drip pans are cleaned and moisture is draining properly.

Replaceable filters should be changed mothly. A filter enhancer can be sprayed on to disposable filters to improve their effeciency.

We spend 90% of our time indoors.
The EPA research reveals the levels of some hazardous pollutants indoor is greater than outdoor air.
Prevent moisture from accumulating in you HVAC system.
Use filters over heating vents and change them regularly.
Change system filters monthly.
Make arrangements to have your system cleaned if never done in the past.

Step 7 - Cleaning Products:

Cleaning products are tested by their manufactures to make sure they are safe to use. But accidents can happen, especially with young children and pets. Also, people who are sensitive to certain chemicals should be certain to read the product contents on the label before purchasing harsh cleaning agents.

Here are some ways to use cleaning products safely:

Open windows when using cleaning products, especially if the asthmatic person is home while cleaning is done. Ask that perosn to go into another room while cleaning.
Don't leave cleaning buckets where children or pets can get into them. Young children can drown in very small amounts of liquid. Large buckets are especially dangerous.
Never mix different cleaning products together. They can make dangerous fumes (like bleach and ammonia).
Store cleaning products out of the reach of young children and pet's and away from food. 
Keep products in their origional containers with their labels in place.
Read and follow label directions, different products work in different ways and can have different use instructions.
Keep the local poison control center number near your phone.
Do not use products with high amounts of VOC'S (volatile organic compounds).

Want to save time and reduce allergens? Then get rid of clutter!

Step 8 - The Clutter Plan

Having lots of stuff around does more than clutter up a room. It makes cleaning harder and gives places for dust and other allergens to collect. Follow these simple steps to reduce clutter:

Sort it Out:  Start with a bedroom and take everything out of the closet, dressers, shelves, and under the bed. Put stuff in separate piles:  clothes, shoes, toys, books, school supplies, sports equipment, etc. Work with your children to pick the toys and belongings that are most important, and separate those they don't use any more.

Give It a Home:  Keep similar items together so that children know where to find things. For example, keep school supplies near the desk or table where your children do homework; store videos and dvd's by the VCR and DVD player; toys in the play area, etc.

Cover It:  Put items inside drawers, closets, coverd boxes or plastic containers so dust can't collect on them. Put labels on containers to show where things belong. Hve your children write or draw labels.

Use It:  Review the "clutter plan" with your children. Remind them that controlling clutter may help reduce asthm attacks. Have them try to put one thing back before getting out something else. Or, schedule 5 minutes of clean-up time every night.

Step 9 - Water Incursion:

Step 10 -  Cleaning If You Have Allergies or Asthma:

Since many allergens float in the air, they are hard to avoid. Cleaning (like dusting and vacuuming) can stir up the air and the allergens in it. Just like other particles in the air, sometimes cleaning products can "trigger" an asthma attack. But it's still important to clean. If you don't, dust, mold, mites and other allergens will build up, making allergies and asthma symptoms worse.

If you have allergies or asthma, here are some important tips:

Read and follow label directions on cleaning products. The label directions give the proper amount of product to use, how to use the product and any special safety advice.

If you use spray products, spray the cleaner on a cloth or sponge first instead of on the surface.

Break your cleaning into small tasks. Spread it out over several days instead of doing it all at once.

Clean in a "well-ventilated" area-open a door and a window or turn on an exhaust fan. Leave the room when you are done cleaning and allow the room to air out.

Try using cleaning products that have no scent or are perfume free. Try different products to find the ones that work best for you.

If your asthma is severe, have someone else do the cleaning. Try to leave home when the cleaning is being done. If you must do the cleaning yourself, wear a mask.

Have asthmatic children leave the room when cleaning is being done. Don't ask children with asthma to dust or vacuum. Have them do other chores like washing dishes, taking out the trash, etc.

Use cleaning products that are "green" or environmentally safe. Ones without hazardous ingredients including VOC's.

If You have Any Questions Or Concerns About Allergy Prevention Or Maintenance Cleaning Plans, Please contact us at 682-9483.

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