Mopping the floor, scrubbing the bathtub, and doing laundry aren’t most people’s idea of a good time, but for some, cleaning the house is extremely irritating. Literally. For those with allergies, allergic asthma, and skin conditions like eczema, common indoor allergens like dust, pet dander, mold, or harsh cleaning products can trigger a flare. And after a thorough cleaning, you might think you’ve gotten rid of the allergy triggers lurking in your home. But the reality is, if you don’t clean the right way, you may be making your symptoms worse. For example, if your cleaning doesn’t specifically focus on allergen-removal, you may only be moving dust around and sending irritants into the air, which can trigger symptoms. 

To clean the allergy-friendly way, consider trying out some of these simple tips. 

Simplify Your Dusting Routine

No need for fancy dusting tools, cloths, or aerosol sprays when dusting around the house. Simply use a slightly damp cloth to collect the stray particles and wipe the surfaces clean. A damp cloth is better than a dry cloth because it captures the dust rather than moving it around and sending it into the air. For extra dust-busting, use Vital Oxide. You can either spray it directly onto surfaces after cleaning to remove dust, or spray it onto a cloth and wipe.  Vital Oxide has a unique ability to significantly reduce allergen levels in most common household triggers, dust mite allergens included. It also neutralizes other common allergens like cat dander and molds. 

Keep Your Bed Fresh & Clean  

Once a week, wash your mattress cover, sheets, pillow cases, and blankets with an Anti-Allergen Laundry Detergent. While your bedding is in the washer, spray your bed pillows and decorative throw pillows with Vital Oxide to eliminate allergens. Let your pillows air dry while your bedding is in the washer. 

It’s also important to give your mattress a deep clean at least every six months to remove dead skin cells, pet dander, and dust mite allergens. 

Be Selective with the Cleaning Products You Use in Your Home

Certain cleaning products can contribute to airborne irritants. Choose cleaning products without harsh chemicals, strong odors, synthetic fragrance, dyes, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The most notorious chemical irritants are usually easy to spot. The government requires the makers of toxic cleaning materials to label their products with words like, "DANGER," "POISON," or "USE IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA." These warnings should clue you in that the product contains chemicals that can be harsh to the skin and lungs. Common irritants in conventional cleaning products include bleach and ammonia. But also be wary of “natural” labels, as some of these solutions may be made with allergens, such as lemon, coconut, or tea-tree oils. Always read labels so you know exactly which chemicals are in the product you're using. Try to avoid products that contain ingredients you've had a reaction to in the past. Follow directions on the label so you know you're using the cleaning product safely.

Our product, Vital Oxide is an all-purpose cleaner, EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, food-contact surface sanitizer, mold killer, odor eliminator, and allergen neutralizer. It’s fragrance-free, dye-free, VOC-free, and free from noxious odors and harmful residues. Vital Oxide’s formula contains a unique form of stabilized chlorine dioxide. With a neutral pH of 8, chlorine dioxide is not irritating to the skin. You can read the full label here. 

Use an Allergy-friendly Vacuum

Use a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter with tight seams and seals to prevent particles from leaking out while you vacuum. Also, choose a style that requires minimal exposure during canister emptying or bag changes. You can find a list of vacuum cleaners certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) here. 

Control & Reduce Pet Allergens 

According to the AAFA, pet allergies are very common and affect millions of Americans. An estimated 15 to 30% of people with allergies have a reaction to cats or dogs, with cat allergies being twice as common as dog allergies. And, unfortunately, a truly hypoallergenic pet does not exist. Whether you have a cat, dog, rabbit, or other furry friend, exposure to pet dander can seriously aggravate allergies and skin conditions. There are a few things you can do to keep the allergen-load down. First, bathe your beloved companion regularly with an Anti-Allergen Pet Shampoo and use an Anti-Allergen Laundry Detergent for washable items like pet bedding, clothing, and soft toys. If possible, restrict pets from rooms where reduced exposure is desired, especially bedrooms. Airborne pet allergen levels have been found to be much higher in rooms where pets are physically present. Next, use a HEPA vacuum regularly, at least twice a week. You can also add a HEPA filter to household heating and cooling systems and use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in the room where pets spend the most of their time to reduce the concentration of allergens in the air. Finally, use Vital Oxide to neutralize allergens on carpeting and rugs. Vital Oxide can also be used directly on pet bedding and sleeping areas. 

Be on the Lookout for Mold & Mildew

Mold, a common allergy trigger, can grow anywhere in your home where moisture is present. Keep household humidity below 50% and fix leaky pipes and cracks to reduce standing puddles of moisture where mold can flourish. Vital Oxide kills and prevents mold spores with up to 7 months residual protection. 

Final Thoughts

You can come up with a whole list of reasons to avoid cleaning your house, but allergies shouldn't be on it. You just need to use a little bit of caution and good planning when you clean.