Within the crevices and hidden spots of your home, airborne allergens can lurk and accumulate, and can later trigger asthma attacks and complications in individuals with asthma or similar respiratory diseases. This can be frustrating if you try to clean up, and end up making the case worse when you inhale clouds of dust in the process. With that being said, prevention is better than cure!
Here’s how you can make your home asthma-friendly, so you won’t have to worry about sleepless nights or frequent asthma attacks.
Vacuum Regularly
If you invest in a quality vacuum and start using it on the daily, your lungs will thank you. Surprisingly, the most common source of respiratory allergens is not the air; it’s your floors. Flat surfaces are where dust and invisible pollutants settle. So, even if all looks and feels clean to you, allergens can lurk and eventually wreak havoc on your lungs if you don’t clean up regularly.
Most importantly, avoid brooms and dusters, as they can make you inhale particles of dust when you clean up. If, for any reason, you’re compelled to clean the house after a long hiatus and there’s lots of dust to take care of, it’s best to ask someone to do it on your behalf or hire a cleaning service.
Invest in an Air Purifier or Filter
Unsurprisingly, the second most effective way of keeping your air cleaner is by installing a device that purifies and filters it. No matter how clean you keep your floors and surfaces, there will still be other sources of allergens that creep in from an open window, the kitchen, fragrances, or the like. To counter that, you can purchase either an air purifier or an air filter. If you’re not familiar with the difference between air filters and purifiers, it all basically boils down to where they’re installed. Cost is also another factor you may want to consider.
While the former is a replaceable filter that you install directly into your HVAC system to purify the air as long as it’s on, the latter is a portable device that you can place anywhere in your home. In many cases, a purifier may be the more cost-effective option, seeing as you wouldn’t have to turn on your HVAC when you don’t need to, and thus you’ll save up on energy.
Ditch Carpeting and Upholsteries
All those extra pillows, comforters, and nicely upholstered furniture are just perfect breeding grounds for allergens. A general rule of thumb for individuals with asthma is to limit all kinds of fabric in their homes, especially in their bedrooms. This applies to carpeting, upholstery, cushions, and any soft toys or objects that may collect dust.
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to consider investing in furniture that can be easily cleaned. In the meantime, you can try using textile cleaners and vacuums; however, it’s best to ditch any fabric you don’t need.
Keep the Pets Outside the Bedroom
As much as sleeping next to your fur babies may ameliorate your mood, your lungs can only take so much. Even if you’re not allergic to a certain animal, asthma can make you sensitive to pet hair. On the other hand, you’ll want to keep your pets outside your bedroom even when you’re awake, seeing as their fur can cover your mattress and pillows, which would be difficult to clean up before bed.
You’ll also want to prevent dander from accumulating in other areas of the house, which vacuuming floors and sofas regularly should take care of. That said, if you’re thinking of adopting a pet and are unsure how you would react, you can test the waters at the shelter before you take an animal home rather than have someone pick it up for you to see if you can tolerate the dander. If all else fails, you can always adopt a hairless pet. Sphynx cats are just as affectionate as any feline, while a Xolo dog can still be your best friend!
These tips and tricks will make breathing easier in your home and will keep your respiratory health in check. Remember to vacuum regularly and never let the dust pile up. It’s also important for you to avoid direct contact with dust when you clean up. If you feel the need to, you can look into getting rid of carpeting, as fabric, in general, may collect molds, dust, and other forms of allergens that can negatively affect your health. You can also invest in an air purifier or HVAC filter to make sure that the air around you is constantly filtered and safe to breathe in.