5 Ways to Maintain a Clean Home

As any San Diego County allergy sufferer knows, allergies can really disrupt your daily routine. From late-spring baseball games to mid-December holiday shopping, symptoms like sneezing, red eyes, runny nose and mental fog can derail the plans of even the most organized and energetic among us. Go beyond your normal cleaning routine and get your life back as 2014 comes to a close.

1. DECLUTTER
Even if your home is spotless except for a single catch-all closet or a messy basement storage area, a few dusty items could put you at risk. That cardboard box full of flea market finds, for example, is a magnet for dust mites and cockroaches. No one wants these insects around, but if you have allergies, keeping your home pest-free is a must.

2. KEEP IT CLEAN
Seemingly immaculate houses may still harbor airborne allergens. Wood floors are recommended for severe allergies, but if you must keep your carpeting, buy a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Traditional vacuum cleaners can allow small particles to escape back into the air as you clean. When it comes to dusting, damp mops and cloths do a much better job of picking up tiny particles than dry ones. Reduce the amount of dirt entering your home by sweeping your walkway and porch often. When you clean any area of your home, wear a mask and leave the house for a few hours afterward, if possible. Better yet, ask a non-allergy sufferer to do the cleaning.

3. REDUCE MOISTURE
Keep your bathtub scrupulously clean to avoid mold and mildew. Hang a squeegee from a hook, and encourage everyone in the household to use it after showering. Don't forget to toss the shower curtain into the washing machine, as it can become a breeding ground for mold when moisture collects in its folds. Finally, avoid using cleaning machines on your carpets. Any remaining wetness can cause mold to form in the mat and fibers.

4. AVOID FRAGRANCES
Scented fabric softeners, detergents and cleaners may smell nice, but they can irritate your allergies. Look for fragrance-free cleaning products to keep sniffles, sneezes and watery eyes at bay as we wrap up 2014.

5. LAUNDRY TIPS
Wash sheets and children's stuffed toys weekly at 130° F to kill dust mites. Though it may not be as much of a temptation in December, forego drying laundry outside. Air-drying can cause pollen to gather, so use the dryer instead.