There are all sorts of asthma and allergy triggers that gather around the home including dust mites and mould. Creating a healthy home can help you and your family breathe cleaner, fresher air and potentially reduce allergic reactions or allergy-related asthma attacks.

There are lots of simple steps you can take to create a healthier environment.

Regular house cleaning is especially important when there’s a family member that has asthma and/or allergies.

Make sure to open the curtains and windows regularly to improve air circulation and let sunlight come into your house to reduce the risk of mould growth.

It’s also a good idea to clear out clutter and items that will never be used, as these gather dust and make it harder to clean around the home.

Learn which triggers are found in the living area, kitchen and bedrooms and what you can do about them.

Living area

Furniture, curtains and flooring can harbour all sorts of triggers, from dust mites to pet dander.

When cleaning the living areas of your home such as carpets and soft furnishings, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA-13 filter, which will filter out 99.97% of air particles that pass through it. For hard floors like timber or tiles, use a damp or electrostatic cloth or steam mop.

It’s important to remember that cleaning activities such as vacuuming and dusting will stir up allergies so if you are sensitive, consider asking someone else to do it and stay out of the room while it’s happening.

Cleaning checklist

• Vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly.
• Dust with a damp cloth or microfibre cloth.
• Avoid feather dusters and dry dusting cloths because they just stir up dust.
• Clean window coverings (blinds and curtains) regularly.

Tips for your living area

• Look for furniture, window furnishings and flooring products that are easy to clean or have anti-microbial properties.
• Consider leather or vinyl lounges instead of fabric.
• Get your air conditioner professionally cleaned on a regular basis.
• Replace filters found around the home for example in air conditioners, heat pumps, and ventilation systems.
• Consider using a professional carpet cleaning machine which enables a deeper clean into your carpet fibres where grit and allergens hide.

Kitchen

Cleaning can be a challenge for people with asthma and allergies, so look out for sensitive household cleaning products with fewer harsh chemicals and no fragrances.

Also keep an eye out for mould which is commonly found in fridges and pantries, including on surfaces of various food items. If there is any visible mould, remove it with fermented vinegar and throw out any affected food. Good air flow in pantries and other potentially musty spots can help to prevent mould from coming back.

Cleaning checklist

• Clean visible mould – commonly found in fridges and pantries.
• Clean refrigerator door rubber gaskets and drip pans.
• Clean dust on air vent covers.

Tips for your kitchen

• Use asthma and allergy aware household cleaning products.
• Use dishwashing tablets and detergents with fewer harsh chemicals.
• Use extractor fans and open the window while cooking and washing the dishes to reduce the likelihood of mould or mildew growth.
• Get your air vents and ducts in the kitchen and around the home professionally cleaned.

Bedroom

Dust mites can be found in everything from bedding and furniture to soft toys and clothes. To help reduce exposure, focus on regularly washing sheets and pillowcases in water hotter than 60°C and cover mattresses, quilts and pillows with mite-resistant cases or products made with anti-microbial treatment.

Mould can also get into bedrooms, making itself at home anywhere there is low air flow or excess moisture, such as built-in wardrobes and ensuite bathrooms. High levels of indoor humidity create ideal conditions for mould to thrive. Try to keep bedrooms dry and well-ventilated by opening windows regularly and leaving wardrobe doors ajar.

Cleaning checklist

• Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly in water hotter than 60°C.
• Air your bedding in the sunshine (except for on high pollen count days, after thunderstorms and on windy days).
• Leave wardrobe doors ajar to keep the air flowing through them.

Tips for your bedrooms

• Cover your mattress, quilt and pillows with mite-resistant cases, and wash these regularly (a full encasement will be better than a cover).
• Use bedding products treated with an anti-microbial product like UltraFresh®, Sanitized® or HealthGuard®.
• Consider a dehumidifier which helps remove excess moisture from the air (particularly useful during winter).