Allergic to spring cleaning?

If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, a thorough spring cleaning may help to rid your home from pesky allergens. But before you get out the broom, make sure your hard work doesn’t make the problem worse.

Here are some tips:

• Wear a mask over your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling dust particles that are stirred up by sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming.

• Don’t open windows to "air out" the house. It will only give outdoor allergens an easy pathway into the home.

• Use a damp moth or cloth when dusting to trap particles before they become airborne. Avoid using feather dusters.

• Use cleaning solutions that do not have heavy fumes. A homemade solution such as a mixture of half vinegar and half water can be an effective, gentle cleanser. A paste of baking soda mixed with water can also be used to clean hard surfaces.

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