Allergy

Although many people associate allergies with pollen and spring time, common household allergens from dust mites, pet dander, and mold can also pose a big challenge for allergy sufferers year-round.

• Steps to reduce dust mite allergens at home

  • Removing carpet and upholstered furniture from your child's room
  • Zipping mattresses and pillows into washable covers
  • Cleaning the room regularly with a vacuum using a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter
  • Damp mopping the floor to keep irritants from getting airborne.

• Hard Surfaces

  Mold and mildew can be found on hard surfaces around the house. Spray the Clorox® Clean-Up® Cleaner with Bleach 4 to 6 inches from the surface until thoroughly wet, let stand for 5 minutes, and rinse or wipe clean to kill mildew. Use it to clean and disinfect bathtubs, counters, showers, sinks, refrigerators, glazed ceramic tile, and fiberglass.

  Avoid contact with clothes, fabric, wood, rubber, painted and paper surfaces. Prolonged contact with metal, old porcelain or worn plastic laminate may cause discoloration. For heavily soiled surfaces, preclean surface before disinfecting. It's best to clean up mold immediately and monitor the area. If the mold recurs, check for a leaky pipe or other water source that needs repair.

The allergens that find their way into your home and make your kids miserable with sneezing can seem impossible to eradicate.

• How does one get on top of the situation? It takes time, but with preventive measures you can get to the point where you're no longer losing in this battle. Allergy filters are now sold for vents throughout your house. Accompany these with an air purifier with HEPA ("high efficiency particulate air") filter, and you'll drastically reduce the dust, pollen, mold and bacteria in the air moving around your home. Dehumidifiers also discourage mold from growing. Dust and vacuum and spray soft surfaces in bedrooms with fabric refresher every few days. For hard, nonporous surfaces, use Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes to wipe up dust.* While your child is sleeping, stow her teddy bear and other furry toys in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few hours. This cool down will kill dust mites, which are prime allergy-causers. Use plastic, hypoallergenic cases on mattresses, box springs and pillows to prevent allergens from creating a home in these frequented spots. You may be dealing with a microscopic problem, but there are big ways to help reduce allergens in the home.

  Source: http://www.aaaai.org/ (American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology)

  *Use as directed on hard, nonporous surfaces.

Babies spend a great deal of time on the floor, where dirt, food, germs, and everyday dust lurk. In addition, carpets have a nasty habit of trapping animal dander that may cause problems for babies with allergies or asthma.

• When to Clean and Disinfect

  Daily

  Take shoes off before entering the house to help avoid carrying in dirt and germs

  Weekly

  Clean carpets and floors using the instructions below

• How to Clean and Disinfect

  Carpet and Rugs

  Clean with a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which will remove hair and animal dander from carpet fibers.

  Wood and Tile Floors

  To quickly clean and disinfect use the all-in-one Clorox® ReadyMop® with Clorox® ReadyMop® Advanced Floor Cleaner.

  For small spills, try Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes — they even work on wood floors!

Always read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products. Store cleaning products out of the reach of children.