16 MARCH 19, 2020 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
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 often 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, even if you have pets
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