How to Create a Dust-Free Bedroom

If you are dust-sensitive, especially if you have allergies and/or asthma, you can reduce some of your misery by creating a "dust-free" bedroom. Dust may contain molds, fibers, and dander from dogs, cats, and other animals, as well as tiny dust mites. These mites, which live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets, thrive in the summer and die in the winter. They will, however, continue to thrive in the winter if the house is warm and humid. The particles seen floating in a shaft of sunlight include dead mites and their waste products. The waste products actually provoke the allergic reaction.

The routine cleaning necessary to maintain a dust-free bedroom also can help reduce exposure to cockroaches, another important cause of asthma in some allergic people.

You probably cannot control dust conditions under which you work or spend your daylight hours. To a large extent, however, you can eliminate dust from your bedroom. To create a dust-free bedroom, you must reduce the number of surfaces on which dust can collect.

In addition to getting medical care for your dust allergy and/or asthma, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases suggests the following guidelines.

PREPARATION
  • Completely empty the room, just as if you were moving.

  • Empty and clean all closets and, if possible, store contents elsewhere and seal closets.

  • Keep clothing in zippered plastic bags and shoes in boxes off the floor, if you cannot store them elsewhere.

  • Remove carpeting, if possible.

  • Clean and scrub the woodwork and floors thoroughly to remove all traces of dust.

  • Wipe wood, tile, or linoleum floors with water, wax, or oil.

  • Cement any linoleum to the floor.

  • Close the doors and windows until the dust-sensitive person is ready to use the room.

MAINTENANCE
  • Wear a filter mask when cleaning.

  • Clean the room thoroughly and completely once a week.

  • Clean floors, furniture, tops of doors, window frames and sills, etc., with a damp cloth or oil mop.

  • Carefully vacuum carpet and upholstery regularly.

  • Use a special filter in the vacuum.

  • Wash curtains often at 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Air the room thoroughly.
More information next week about carpeting, bedding, air control and maintaining a low-allergen, toxicity, naturally clean environment with kids and pets in mind.

In the meantime, I bet my the knowledgeable staff at Maid Natural Cleaning could help you out. They have excellent natural cleaning services available for residential and commercial spaces. They also have lots of experience working with parents with chemical or allergen sensitive children.

Resources: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease

Here's to your health,
Dr. Mead
 


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