Pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens can make a house an allergy sufferer's nightmare. Fortunately, it's possible to cut down on allergen levels just by cleaning your house. Taking a few preventative steps before you start cleaning, such as buying plastic covers for beds or getting rid of dust-trapping objects, can save time once you've started the task.
Rugs and Carpeting
Invest in a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters were designed originally to remove radioactive dust from laboratories, so they remove pollen, dust, and whatever else is lurking in your carpet. Watch out for "HEPA-type" filters, which don't meet the same rigorous filtration standard as true HEPA filters. A real HEPA filter will be rated at 99.97 percent efficiency for microns .3 in size. Vacuum carpets and wash and vacuum rugs every week. Shampoo carpets as often as possible. The Mayo Clinic reminds allergy suffers to stay out of a vacuumed room for 20 minutes after finishing, as the dust is still settling.
Bedding
Before you start tackling the task of cleaning beds and bedding, cover mattresses, box springs, and pillows with plastic covers to entrap dust mites, and replace any bedding containing organic material, such as down, with synthetic versions. Then start cleaning sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding. Sheets, pillowcases, and any other washable bedding should be washed once a week in hot water (at least 130 degrees F). If you can't wash bedding such as a comforter or quilt, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences advises, freeze bedding overnight, which will kill off any dust mites.
Dusting
For general dusting, use a damp or oiled rag or cloth, as a dry one won't catch dust but instead just send it back into the air. To make dusting easier, remove clutter that traps dust, like piles of books, magazines, or toys. This may be a good chance to get rid of any knickknacks that you've been meaning to throw out. Replacing horizontal slatted blinds with roll-up shades cuts down on dusting time.
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