Cleaning to Reduce Allergens

Regular and thorough housekeeping can help you in your quest to reduce indoor allergens. These simple tips aim to help you reduce allergens throughout your home, in the kitchen and bathroom, and in the bedroom.

Reducing Allergens on Surfaces

Floors and furniture are prime ‘landing spots’ for allergens that travel through the air, including dust mite debris, pollen and pet dander. Following these general guidelines can help to reduce these allergens.

• Vacuum carpets and soft furnishings regularly to pick up dust, dust mites, and other debris. This includes all upholstered furniture, curtains, and other fabric items that you cannot remove, wash and replace.
  • Look for a high-filtration vacuum cleaner fitted with a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA).
  • If possible, replace carpets with hard surface flooring.
• Damp-dust hard surfaces and floors regularly using cleaning products that are proven to remove allergens. Using a damp cloth or wipe will help prevent allergens from becoming airborne.
• Remove surface clutter to make cleaning easier. Place hard-to-clean items in cupboards, drawers, or display cabinets with glass doors."
• Always remember to wash your hands after cleaning.

Reducing Allergens in the Kitchen and Bathroom

The keys to reducing allergens in the kitchen and bathroom include regular cleaning, reducing moisture, and ensuring proper ventilation.

• Keep the bathroom and kitchen well ventilated. Open windows and/or use extractor fans to help circulate air and remove moisture.
• Consider replacing carpets with hard surface floorings, such as tiles, linoleum or laminates.
• Remove any visible mould growth promptly using suitable disinfectant products that are proven to kill moulds.
• Damp-dust hard surfaces and floors regularly using cleaning products that are proven to remove allergens. Using a damp cloth or wipe will help prevent allergens from becoming airborne and resettling.
• Regularly clean and disinfect areas where mould is likely to grow, such as refrigerator door seals.
• Regularly clean shower curtains with a suitable disinfectant, or launder them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Launder and replace towels frequently.
• Regularly clean and disinfect tiled walls and other hard surfaces where water is likely to collect.

Reducing Allergens in the Bedroom

Reducing allergens in the bedroom is especially important, since so much time is spent there. Bedrooms usually contain many soft furnishings, which are ideal places for dust mites and other allergens to accumulate.

• Do not allow pets in the bedroom.
• Consider encasing mattresses, duvets and pillows in dust mite-proof covers.
• Launder bedding weekly. Washing on a hot wash (at least 55 ºC) will kill any dust mites in the bedding.
• Minimise soft furnishings and remove any clutter from the bedroom. Clutter collects dust, so it also collects dust mite allergens.
• If you must have soft toys, choose washable ones. Keep them off the bed, and launder them frequently on a hot wash (at least 55 ºC).
• Damp-dust hard surfaces and floors regularly using cleaning products that are proven to remove allergens. Using a damp cloth or wipe will help prevent allergens from becoming airborne.
• Vacuum carpets and soft furnishings regularly to pick up dust, dust mites, and other debris. This includes all upholstered furniture, curtains and other fabric items that you cannot remove, wash and replace.
• If possible, remove carpet from the bedroom of any family member with allergies. Hard surface floors are easier to clean and do not collect allergens in the same way that carpets can.