Allergy Proofing

Maybe you ought to be more concerned about indoor pollution. One thing that we, as homeowners can do to help control the quality of the air is get better filtration at the heating an air conditioning system.

Did you know your home is loaded with pollutants that could be causing you serious allergy problems? Everything from pollen, dust, pet hair, dander, tobacco smoke, mold and one of the biggest problems... dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic little bugs that cannot be seen by the naked eye. 15-thousand dust mites can be found in one speck of dust! They live off the flakes of your skin from where you sleep, sit or lie down on a couch. The most common place large quantities of dust mites live is in your bed and pillows. There are special bed and pillow encasement's you can buy that keep dust mites from living in your bed. These encasements are available in most department and specialty bedding stores.

Another important indoor or environment element is your air conditioning and heating system air filter. Cheap air filters do very little to filter out particles, odors and allergens in your home. Look into electrostatic air filters or even better yet carbon unprepared pleated filters. These two are much better for filtering out dust, dander, odors, even gas. They may cost a little more, but you will really see and feel a difference. Here's a simple test to prove how a cheap air filter really doesn't work. Take a 99-cent filter and hold it horizontal. Pour a powder cleanser into it. You'll see the cleanser flows right through the filter. If the cleanser is not stopped, what kind of odors, gases and particles do you think it is stopping?

Your carpet is another area dust mites thrive. The Allergy, Air and More Store sells a product approved by the EPA that you apply by spraying it onto your carpet or furniture and it kills dust mites without using harmful chemicals. Keeping your carpet clean by vacuuming often is a good way to keep dust mites at bay. You can buy a special HEPA or ULPA vacuum to help rid due mites, but they are expensive. It may be easier to buy a special "micro-lined" vacuum bag that keeps dust from escaping through the "v" bag.