spring-cleaning-for-spring-allergies-6-steps-from-the-experts

Spring cleaning for spring allergies: 6 steps from the experts

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(BPT) – As days grow longer and new blooms appear, it can only mean one thing: Spring is here and with it comes the task of spring cleaning. For people with allergies, spring cleaning does more than spruce up a home. When done correctly, it removes dust, mold, dander and other allergy triggers so you can feel your best.

“There are specific things you can do while cleaning that can dramatically improve allergy symptoms,” says Dr. J. Allen Meadows, allergist and president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “When you spring clean to remove allergens, you can breathe easier plus enjoy a sparkling home.”

Meadows and the experts at ACAAI recommend these steps when cleaning for allergies. Before you begin, keep in mind that when you clean you come in contact with many allergens. You may want to take allergy medication beforehand and if your allergy is severe, consider wearing an N95 filter mask while dusting or scrubbing.

Step 1: Dust thoroughly

Dust all surfaces in your home with a damp rag or microfiber cloth made for cleaning. Avoid using any kind of duster that simply kicks dust into the air. Additionally, clean vents and return registers to limit dust recirculating and finish by wet mopping tile and other hard flooring. Don’t neglect the area under the beds, which can get dusty and should be cleaned often. Eliminating dust helps your home shine and also removes some of the most notorious indoor allergy triggers.

Step 2: Clean carpets

Start by moving all furniture off the carpet. Then vacuum well with a cyclonic vacuum, which spins dust and dirt away from the floor, or a vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. Meadows does not advise shampooing carpet, because it can cause dust mite eggs to hatch. If you are using diluted bleach and water solution for spot treatments or to kill mold, make sure someone other than the allergy sufferer does the cleaning because bleach can trigger asthma.

Step 3: Clean window treatments

Window treatments like curtains and valances can be a magnet for dust and pollen yet are often ignored when it comes to cleaning. This spring, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and wash or dry clean window treatments. Remember, opening windows allows pollen and other allergens into your home, so during peak allergy season keep them closed, and whenever possible, use air conditioning in your car and home.

Step 4: Wash bedding

Wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets in water that is at least 130 degrees F. This temperature kills dust mites and effectively removes allergens. If bedding can’t be washed at this hot temperature, place items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at 130 degrees or above. For children with allergies, do the same with their stuffed animals.

Step 5: Replace air filters

At the start of every season change the air filter in your furnace. This helps the HVAC system run efficiently while also filtering out air particles —including allergens — to keep your home’s air as clean as possible. Consider setting an alarm for every three months as a reminder and use filters with a MERV rating of 11 or 12. This is also a good time to clean the drip pans in appliances like the refrigerator.

Step 6. Control humidity

Bathrooms, basements and tiled spaces are prone to mold, so spring is a good time to deep clean. A bleach cleaner works well to eliminate mold or make your own by mixing borax and water. Next, help prevent mold from developing through moisture control. Always run bathroom fans when bathing or showering, clean up any standing water immediately and use a dehumidifier if needed to keep humidity below 60%.

“Spring cleaning is a great step in allergy control,” says Meadows. “However, if you continue to suffer from allergy or asthma symptoms, see a board-certified allergist to help you control your symptoms and live the life you want. You can find an allergist near you at acaai.org/locate-an-allergist.”

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Clever hacks give spring cleaning a whole new meaning

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(BPT) – With more time spent in the comfort of our home, spring cleaning can take on an entirely new meaning this year. Consider the following hacks to make your household clean-up routine as efficient and thorough as possible.

Conquer kitchen crevices with lemon and baking soda

Crumbs, food residue and dirt can hide in kitchen crannies. Dedicate time to deep clean these commonly overlooked areas. In the microwave, chop a lemon into several chunks and add to three cups of water in a glass bowl. Microwave for about five minutes and keep the door shut after the timer to allow the steam to do its magic. Then, wipe down the interior with a microfiber cloth. The benefits of the lemon slices don’t end here. If your garbage disposal is starting to smell, carefully insert slices into the disposal and run. The acidity will combat clogs and leave your sink with a citrus scent.

In the refrigerator, sort through drawers and shelves and toss expired items. Use baking soda to remove caked on food and spills. Shake some baking soda on the spots, dampen with a few drops of water and let sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing off residue. This method will leave your fridge spotless and scentless — an important but often forgotten consideration, as you do not want foods to absorb the smell of cleaning products. Lastly, while dishes may be washed daily, germs often thrive in your wet sponge. Microwave your damp sponge for 90 seconds to eliminate bacteria.

“Suds-idize” the shower

While dedicated to get you clean, a shower can build up bacteria if the moisture-filled environment is not treated properly. Tackling the shower is labor intensive and easy to move to the bottom of the chore list. To simplify the process, choose a cleaning product that is both safe and effective on the surface, whether your shower is made of tile, ceramic or plastic. Conduct an initial spot test, but — generally speaking — the more versatile the cleaner, the better.

To scrub and wipe away suds in one quick gesture, consider the multipurpose Peerless SideKick Shower System, which you can easily install yourself. This shower head not only provides a drenching shower experience but also comes with a cleaning attachment where water flows through the pad, allowing you to scrub tile, wash away cleaning product and ultimately reduce cleaning time.

Implement closet methodology

A closet cleanout can be both daunting and, let’s be honest, emotional. For items you’re not willing to part with just yet, hang all clothes backward on the rack. Once you have worn an item, hang forward facing on the rack. After a few months, donate items that remain backward, as they haven’t been touched and aren’t getting any use.

When reorganizing clothes in drawers or bins, fold and insert items upright without stacking. This is the best use of space and allows for a quick view of your wardrobe options, eliminating the need to sift through drawers and make a mess.

Organize easily ignored areas

We all have areas of the home that seem to stockpile goods and are only cleaned out once in a blue moon: the medicine cabinet, junk drawer, storage room, linen closet, craft area, garage and laundry room, to name a few. First, completely clear out these spaces. Use bins and buckets to create a system of organization and implement labels, as needed. When you add items back in, place the most-used items at the front and only reintroduce essential items. Finally tackling these areas will give you a sense of comfort and relief.

With these hacks, your spring-cleaning checklist will be complete in no time, with long-lasting results.

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Turn your backyard into a safe space for healthy play

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(BPT) – As Americans across the country retreat to their homes to help slow the spread of COVID-19, many are rediscovering the value of their yards as places to take in fresh air, engage their children in outdoor games and enjoy physical activity in a safe environment.

3 tips for safe, healthy outdoor fun for the family

Kids who can no longer participate in organized sports activities or meet their friends at the park need creative ways to burn off energy at home. Unplugging and stepping outside can be good for the whole family’s physical and mental health. Consider these three tips as you explore ways to take advantage of the green space around your home.

Educate: The backyard offers a great setting to learn about plant biology and the creepy crawlers that call our lawns home. Take a magnifying glass to your lawn and explore the habitat nestled between the blades.

Exercise: Lace up your sneakers and take to the yard for a 30-minute workout or arrange an obstacle course on the lawn for the kids. Encourage children to compete for the fastest time or create a course of their own.

Rejuvenate: As the days get warmer, enjoy a little self-care by soaking in the sun on the lawn. Consider laying out a blanket and reading. Whether it becomes family story time or some quiet time to yourself, spend some time enjoying your own personal piece of the great outdoors.

Take this time to give your lawn some TLC

Now is a great time for some DIY spring maintenance to get your lawn ready for summer and the likely heavier-than-usual use it will see as you spend more time at home. To create a lush, healthy, low-maintenance lawn that is summer-ready, follow these spring lawn care tips from the experts at Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and turf specialists.

Interseed for a thicker lawn. Lawns that are sparse or have worn patches coming out of winter can be interseeded when the soil warms up in the spring. In addition to enhancing the overall appearance of the lawn, interseeding will help keep turf dense, which is a natural defense to keeping pesky weeds out.

Simply rake away lawn debris or accumulated thatch, broadcast seed widely or target bare spots on your lawn and irrigate regularly until the seed germinates. Be sure to use a high-quality seed that is a good match for your geographic region and your lawn’s soil type, sun exposure and irrigation patterns. Seed can be ordered online and shipped directly to your home from most home improvement retailers.

Water deeply and infrequently. Rather than irrigating lightly every day, begin to water more deeply, only once or twice a week, which will encourage strong root growth and make for a hardier lawn in the summer. Most turf grasses will stay vigorous if they receive about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall (and drought-tolerant species such as tall fescue do well on even less).

Mow early and leave the grass taller. Start mowing your lawn before it gets too tall. Scalping an overgrown lawn will stress the plants and potentially cause problems all season long, so make sure you never cut off more than one-third of the grass blade height at a time. A good rule of thumb for most species is to mow when the grass reaches a height of about 3 inches. That means you can cut it to 2 inches — or you can even leave it a little taller to protect the growing point at the base of the blade and improve your lawn’s wear tolerance.

Feed your lawn. Grasscycling — leaving the clippings on the lawn after you mow and allowing them to decompose — can save you time and provide up to 25% of your lawn’s fertilizer needs. To meet the rest of your turf’s nutrient requirements, you’ll likely need to fertilize in the spring and fall. The spring application should be relatively light and should feature slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to avoid causing rapid but weak growth, which can make the lawn less durable.

If you’re among the many Americans seeking activities for energetic kids, suddenly finding time for long-delayed home improvement projects, or just needing a breath of fresh air, step out the backdoor and take advantage of your home’s lawn. By engaging in a few DIY spring lawn projects now, your lawn will be ready no matter what summer brings!