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Home management fact sheet - for how to reduce unwanted Allergens in the home
7 ways on how to reduce unwanted allergens in the home | Respiratory and skin allergies can be soothed and supported in the home with some simple, natural, common sense adjustments to what you are already doing.
Common skin allergies
Hives, contact dermatitis, plant allergies, insect stings, sun/UV, cosmetics
Common respiratory allergies
Seasonal reactions, hay fever, mould and pollens, dust mites, pets, airborne toxins eg. tobacco smoke
Our bedroom environment is one of the most important to get right,
it's the front line of our allergy defence protocol:
Bedding
- Replace all bedding with organic cotton or Tencel including bed sheets, quilt covers and pillowcases
- Replace all quilts with natural wool inside/bed covers with organic cotton or Tencel
- Purchase a hypoallergenic pillow
- Place a sturdy, zip up dust mite cover/protector over your mattress
Flooring
- Replace carpets with hard flooring where possible
- Use low pile washable rugs on the floor
- Vacuum and steam mop 1-2 times a week
- Regularly replace the vacuum filter
Furniture
- Minimise cloth or soft upholstery in the bedroom esp bedheads
- Remove dried flowers, straw decorations or soft wall hangings
- Use washable window coverings such as light curtains or blinds that can easily be wiped down
To reduce the populations of mites - Wash:
- Wash all bed sheets and bedding at least weekly in a hot wash
- Sun dry your laundry wherever possible
- Wash all children's soft toys regularly
- Use a natural laundry detergent - see our recipe below
To avoid mould and deter mites - Air
- Regularly air the quilt or bed covers/protectors that are harder to wash including blankets
- Open all your windows daily. Even in winter
- Vent your clothes drier out a window
- Air and/or vacuum your mattress regularly - even if you use a mattress cover/protector
See our mould management natural recipe below
To keep allergens away from your skin - Cover
- Invest in a quality hypoallergenic mattress cover/protector
- Use organic cotton or Tencel sheets as a safe barrier between your skin and your mattress, bed covers and pillows
Homemade cleaning products that won't irritate:
This is to reduce allergens in the home.....
All purpose cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with 1/2 cup water in a spray bottle. Add 3 drops each of lemon and tea tree essential oil.
Laundry detergent
Grate one bar of Castile soap into a pot of boiling water. Add tablespoon of baking soda and 5 drops of lemon essential oil.
Floor cleaner
Combine 1/4 cup biodegradable dish detergent and 1/2 cup vinegar to bucket of warm water
Mould management
1 cup vinegar and 5 drops of peppermint or clove oil
Shopping list:
- Castile soap, bar or soap
- Bulk vinegar
- Bulk baking soda
- Spray bottle
- Essential oils; lemon, peppermint, tea tree and clove
- Encasement mattress protector