Tips to kee you home allergy free

Published 2:47 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

• Remove all carpeting if possible.

• Buy wipeable furniture, such as leather, vinyl, wood or plastic.

• Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

• Wear a facemask while doing household chores.

• Keep the humidity level in the home at 40 to 50 percent.

• Use an exhaust fan when cooking or showering.

• Make sure the home is well ventilated.

• Avoid using harmful chemicals to clean the home. Instead, use

baking soda or a mixture of bleach and water (one teaspoon bleach to

one gallon of water).

• Periodically clean the refrigerator’s drip pan tray and coils.

• Lead paint might still be in a house built before the mid 1970s, so

be careful when disturbing the paint.

• Microwave sponges for one minute to kill germs.

• Use beeswax candles because they burn cleaner than others do.

• Fix any leaking faucets and pipes to prevent moisture problems.