FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e MARСH 19, 2020 •AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 41
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 board-certifi ed
dermatologist and founder of Uptown
Dermatology in Houston, Texas, off ers
eight cleaning tips to help allergy-proof
your home.
1. Bare the fl oors
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!
2. Don’t be blind
to your blinds
Th ose 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.
3. 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
l amps h a d e s ,
décor and other
neglected areas.
4. Come clean with your pets
Pet dander, urine and saliva are the
main culprit to allergies - not pet hair.
Th e 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!
How to get
your home
guest-ready,
even if you
have pets
5. Designate pet-free zones
Pet hair can get everywhere, but
you can dramatically reduce these fl yaways
by keeping your pets out of certain
areas of the house where your
guests will be. Th is 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.
6. 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. Th ey 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.
7. Put out some plants
Th e 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.
8. Freshen the air
Air purifi ers and fi lters can work wonders
in reducing airborne allergens and
keeping your surroundings feeling fresh.
Purchase air fi lters that have a small-particle
or HEPA fi lter for your guest room
and common areas and start running
them a few days before guests arrive for
best results.
While these eight 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
fl ushes 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
/WWWo.QNS.COm
