Seven allergen-prone spots in your home

For most people, their house is a safe haven — a place where they can take off their shoes, plop down on the sofa and forget about the outside world. But no house is safe from allergens, which can make your day off a ‘day-saster’. Ridding your house of allergens is no easy feat, but what can make the task easier is to know where to find them. Here are a few spaces where allergens can lurk and ways you can make them allergen-proof, as compiled from womenshealthmag.com.



Your sofa: Consider replacing upholstered sofas and chairs with furniture made of leather, wood, metal or plastic. Avoid upholstered furniture, which can trap allergens and dust mites.



Cluttered spaces: Remove items that collect dust such as knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books and magazines. Store children’s toys, games and stuffed animals in plastic bins.



Flooring: Remove carpeting and use marble flooring or washable area rugs. If that isn’t an option, use low-pile instead of high-pile carpeting and vacuum it on a weekly basis. Wash area rugs and floor mats, and shampoo wall-to-wall carpets periodically.



Curtains and blinds: Use washable curtains made of plain cotton or synthetic fabric. Replace horizontal blinds with washable roller-type shades (cloth blinds) to avoid build-up of dust particles.



Windows: Close windows and rely on air conditioning during the summer season. Clean condensation from window frames and sills daily. Avoid keeping houseplants in the kitchen, especially around windowsills. These are already perfect places for fungus growth.



Refrigerator: Wipe up excessive moisture to avoid mold growth. Discard out-of-date food. To clean the interior of your refrigerator, you will need to use something that kills mold and mildew. Distilled white vinegar works well for this purpose and it is both safe and environmentally friendly.



Your shower: Wash shower curtains once a month or purchase curtains that contain an antifungal agent. Shower curtains are notorious as havens for built-up dirt. When showering, make it a habit to turn on the exhaust fan or open a window to remove moisture. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2014.

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