5 Things to do while cleaning if you have asthma


 

Festival season is just around the corner, and with every festival, especially Diwali, the one thing that's common in every household- Deep Cleaning your home. We all try to deck up to every corner of the house and reorganize the look of every room. But if you have a dust allergy or asthma, cleaning can be a cause of concern.

So, here are five things to do to avoid asthma triggers and clean your home safely.

Know your triggers:

It is essential to know which allergens trigger your symptoms. These may be dust particles, pollen, small insects, mold, and pet dander. Everyone has different trigger allergens, so it is best to know and avoid those.

  • If you suffer from dust allergens, it is advisable to use a damp cloth for cleaning rather than a dry one. Damp cloth collects dust particles without spreading them in the air.
  • Avoid carpets in the house as they can trap large amounts of dust and trigger your symptoms when you clean the carpet.
  • Wash your bedding, curtains, and sofa covers with hot water weekly.
  • Wear a mask while cleaning, especially cleaning moldy and dusty areas.

Do routine cleaning:

With asthma patients in the house, cleaning at regular intervals is more advisable than cleaning once in a while. Regular cleaning of the house will keep the house free from allergens. If you have a pet, do the following things to minimize pet dander:

  • Keep your pet clean always.
  • Do regular bathing and grooming.
  • If your pets sleep on the couch or bed, wash the covers regularly.
  • Store their food in sealed containers to prevent mold.

Use air purifier:

Use an air purifier with HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filters. Poor air quality is a leading cause of asthma. A HEPA filter will maintain the quality of the air and will also reduce dust and pet allergen concentrations.

Choose proper disinfectants:

Certain disinfectants can trigger your symptoms more than others. Choose the best for you.

  • Use liquid or gel cleaners instead of commercial spray cleaners.
  • Choose unscented products.
  • While using disinfectants, keep the windows and doors open while keeping the fans on.

Use of Vacuum cleaner:

Use vacuum cleaners to collect dust and pet dander. Asthma patients shouldn't use the vacuum cleaner themselves as the Vaccum cleaner can cause dust particles to rise in the air. If you have no one else to do it for you, use a mask while vacuum cleaning.

If you or someone in the home has asthma, taking certain precautions can control the trigger. If you experience any symptoms of asthma while cleaning, stop immediately. It is always advisable to clean your home with proper caution and always keep your inhaler handy, and in case of emergency, contact your doctor.