I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls Collective on behalf of Claritin®;. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program.
Photo credit: Auswandern Malaysia on Flickr.com
It’s hard enough fighting the outdoor elements for those of us with allergies (yes, I’m included in that group), and it’s certainly not OK to have to fight them in our own homes. Did you know that with a few smart steps, you can significantly negate the amount of dust and other allergens in your home while making it more stylish? It’s true! Some of these steps are simple and can be done in a day, some require more planning. Give a bit of consideration to each if you’re sick of sniffling, wiping your watery eyes or coughing your brains out.
- Choose hypoallergenic fabrics for all of the bedding in your home. They’re easy to find and will make a world of difference if you’re accustomed to hacking your way to sleep or waking up stuffy. Invest in bright new colors to liven things up!
- Trade your shelves full of nicknacks for a few interesting paintings. Consider every trinket on every shelf a dust magnet – time for a yard sale!
- Replacing full trash bags isn’t the only thing you need to do to really remove that funky junk. To completely clean garbage cans and prevent mold growth, spray them with a hose and dump out the water. Next, spray the inside with a disinfectant, scrub with a handled brush, rinse and leave them upside down to dry.
- Get a grip on indoor allergens by washing and drying wet towels as soon as you’re done making a splash. Keeping wet towels lying around will only attract mold build up. Also, be sure to wash your bedding at over 140 degrees to avoid dust mites.
- A more pricey update will have you ripping out carpet and installing a hard surface flooring like wood, tile or linoleum. Carpet often serves as a reservoir for dust and dust mites. If you can’t replace your carpet, make sure you vacuum it thoroughly and frequently!
- Heavy drapes are major dust-catchers! Switch to faux wood blinds or washable cotton drapes instead. Again, go with something interesting, so you’ll rely less on nicknacks for decor.
- Peak pollen production happens early in the morning. Plan to do your gardening and other outside activities later in the day to minimize exposure to allergens.
Allergies may just turn out to be the perfect excuse for updating the look of your home. Change can be good and breathing is certainly a legitimate reason to make some changes.
For tips on making your home and garden more beautiful, functional and allergy-friendly visit www.Facebook.com/Claritin;. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
