According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, pollen grains are the tiny male cells from flowering plants and trees. Bees and other insects carry pollen from plant to plant, but sometimes plants release the pollen into the air for the wind to carry. This can cause sneezing and stuffiness in humans with over-sensitive immune systems who are exposed to these airborne cells.
Cleaning can reduce the amount of allergens (substances you are allergic to) in your home, which can help alleviate allergy symptoms. Be careful, though, because many cleaning products are known to cause allergy-like symptoms in some people.
The cleaning product does not trigger an allergy, but it is an irritant, and an irritant can cause the same symptoms as an allergy. Symptoms of irritation that can be caused by cleaning products include sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, congestion, asthma attack, wheezing, and skin rashes.
The best way to avoid irritation from cleaning products is to have someone in the household who does not have allergies do the cleaning. Even the act of cleaning, especially doing things like sweeping, can trigger an allergic reaction, because dust and other allergens can be stirred up.
However, if you suffer from allergies and must do the cleaning in your home, it can help to use products that are less likely to cause allergy symptoms.
Avoid using cleaning products that contain harsh, potentially irritating chemicals. Common home cleaning chemical ingredients that can be irritating, include formaldehyde, ammonia, sodium lauryl sulphate, and sodium hypochlorite.
These chemicals are found in cleaning products like furniture polish, disinfectants, dish detergents, dish soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, all-purpose cleaners, and drain, oven, and glass cleaners. Read the labels and avoid staying away from cleaning agents that have these ingredients.
Using all natural products to clean is also an option. Bakng soda and vinegar can get just about anything cleaned, in different concentrations for different uses. White vinegar and baking soda can be used almost anywhere. For example, use vinegar and salt for a surface cleaner, use baking soda and water to clean baby bottles, and use olive oil or lemon juice with vegetable oil to clean furniture. To freshen air, ventilate, or use cinnamon, cloves, or steeped tea.
To reduce indoor allergens, reduce dust-collecting clutter. Vacuum carpeted floors regularly with a double-bag or HEPA filter vacuum. Regularly wash blankets and throw rugs. Wash all bed linens in hot water every week. Keep counter surfaces clean and dry. Do not leave food around, and store food in sealed containers.
Taking a few simple steps to keep dust to a minimum, preventing molds from growing, and controlling cockroaches and other pests may help minimize your allergy symptoms.
Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com.
To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in the home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.
