• Only one in ten Americans is allergic to dust, according to the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology.
• House dust is a mixture of many substances and its content may vary from home to home, but its most common allergy triggers are: dust mites, cockroach droppings, fungi (mold), and dander (dead skin cells) from both humans and pets.
• Humans shed about 1/5 ounce of dander weekly.
• A typical used mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites inside.
• Ten percent of the weight of a two-year-old mattress can be composed of dead mites and their droppings.
• Washing blankets, sheets and stuffed animals in hot water over 130 degrees can kill dust mites.
• Keeping relative humidity levels below 50% helps since dust mites and other allergens thrive on high humidity.
Whether you’re looking to prevent allergy symptoms or just want to keep your home clean and dust-free, be sure to hit these spots when doing your spring cleaning.
Mattresses
– Vacuum using upholstery attachment
– Consider using a dust mite cover (also available for pillows)
Carpets & rugs
– Vacuum weekly
– Bathroom rugs can be cleaned in washing machines
Upholstered furniture
– Vacuum weekly
Underneath furniture
– Sweep or use hose attachment on vacuum
Vents and coils on back of major appliances
– Wipe with damp cloth or vacuum with hose attachment
Lights and lampshade
– Dust with a soft bristled brush
Fans
– Wipe off ceiling fan blades and motor screens
– Use a canned pressurized-air duster to blow dust out of hard-to-reach spots in tower fans
Window blinds and drapes
– Wipe with damp cloth or duster
Bed sheets and blankets
– Change once per week
Television and electronics
– Gently wipe TV screens with a microfiber cloth
Artificial houseplants
– Wipe with damp cloth or duster
Stuffed animals
– Use hypoallergenic stuffed animals
