WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MARCH 11, 2021 17
If you’re hosting guests with allergies
- and you have pets - you have
a few more things to consider
when getting your home guest-ready.
No problem!
Dr. Elizabeth Mullans, a boardcertifi
ed dermatologist and founder
of Uptown Dermatology in Houston,
Texas, off ers eight cleaning tips to
help allergy-proof your home.
BARE THE FLOORS
Carpets and rugs are notorious
for collecting dust mites, pet dander
(dead skin cells that are naturally
shed by your pets) and other allergens,
which can trigger allergy-sensitive
guests. Remove rugs and carpeting
from your guest room as wooden or
bare fl oors are easier to clean!
DON’T BE BLIND TO
YOUR BLINDS
Those window blinds that protect
your privacy are also dust magnets
in need of regular cleaning and dusting.
Try mixing equal parts vinegar
and Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to
a spray bottle of warm water. Spray
the blinds until they’re fully soaked
(make sure you have a towel underneath
to catch the drippings!) and
then wipe clean.
LOVE YOUR LAMP
SHADES
Lampshades are tricky to dust, so
they’re oft en skipped over during
cleaning. Use a lint roller or packing
tape; their sticky surfaces work
faster than a cloth to collect dust
on lampshades, décor and other neglected
areas.
COME CLEAN WITH YOUR
PETS
Pet dander, urine and saliva are
the main culprit to allergies - not
pet hair. The Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America says pet hair
isn’t an allergen, but since dander can
stick to hair and hide underneath a
furry coat, it’s partially to blame
for allergy misery. A weekly wash
and scrub - using warm water and
a dander-reducing shampoo - can
greatly reduce allergens!
DESIGNATE PET-FREE
ZONES
Pet hair can get everywhere, but
you can dramatically reduce these
fl y-aways by keeping your pets out
of certain areas of the house where
your guests will be. This can help
keep pet allergens from getting into
fabrics and rugs all over your home.
Be sure to close the doors to guest
rooms and install pet fences where
appropriate.
DEFEND AGAINST
DANDER
Dander can get everywhere and
aff ect your allergy-sensitive guests.
Run your clothes and bedding in the
dryer before you wash them to remove
pet hair, which carries dander. Before
making up the guest room, wash blankets
and duvets to make them fresh
and dander-free. Consider using a
dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic
detergent that’s gentle on skin and
free of dyes and perfumes, like Arm &
Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear
detergent. They say “old habits die
hard” because people generally use
products that have been in the family
for generations, but what happens
once those products start irritating
the skin? Symptoms of irritation can
include redness, dry skin, burning, or
hives. Sensitive skin laundry detergents
really do get clothes clean. Arm
& Hammer Sensitive Skin detergent
has been extensively evaluated among
people who have sensitive skin. So,
don’t worry, it’s gentle on skin, but will
get your laundry clean and fresh.
PUT OUT SOME PLANTS
The American Society of Horticultural
Science and other organizations
have performed studies that show how
indoor plants signifi cantly improve
and clean a room’s air quality. Setting
out plants like aloe, golden pathos
and bamboo palm can help fi lter out
common volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) in indoor air; bright fl owers
like azaleas, chrysanthemums and
peace lilies can do the same. Unfortunately,
some fl oral plants can trigger
skin reactions for those sensitive to
latex or rubber.
While these tips can help, it’s impossible
to eliminate all the allergens in
your home. Just in case, have some Arm
& Hammer Simply Saline Instant Relief
on hand to help your guests stay comfortable.
Its drug-free formula safely
flushes out contaminants, quickly
relieves congestion and is safe to use
along with their allergy medications.
Now, with all your bases covered, you
can make your next gathering even
happier for you and your guests.
— Courtesy of BPT
AT HOME
How to get your home guest-ready
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