9 spring cleaning tips for allergy sufferers | Reading Eagle

Angie's List: Katelin Kinney | To clean baseboards, first vacuum around them, then wipe down with a cloth and cleaning solution.Sunday April 12, 2015 12:01 AMBy Stephanie Snay Dust the baseboards. Check! Tackle the pantry. Check! And the bookshelves, and the - achoo! Spring cleaning stirring up allergens?2. Spring for HEPA filtersOnly use a vacuum that contains a HEPA filter.Preferably someone who doesn't suffer from allergies should take on the chore, but if it can't be avoided, Mulcahy recommended you wear a mask. John Alzubi, owner of Smart Choice Cleaning in Springfield, Va., added that goggles help, too.3. Seek out water sourcesAny freestanding water in the home presents a mold hazard."Spring cleaning is a good time to look at any potential water source in your house," Mulcahy said. "If you have a leaky faucet or pipes that need better sealing, take care of that."4. Crack open the windows (or shut them tight)During allergy season, sufferers have inflamed mucous membranes. Mulcahy recommended ventilation if you're cleaning with any harsh chemicals. However, Michele Oswald, owner of Extra Step Cleaning in Ballwin, Mo., said that if outside allergens, such as pollen or ragweed, are your triggers, you might want to keep them shut.5. Avoid odorsAlzubi said to use fragrance-free cleaning products to avoid exacerbating allergy symptoms. He recommended green cleaning products, and avoiding bleach. If you need to kill allergens, especially mold, Oswald said hydrogen peroxide acts as a natural bleach that won't assault your senses.6. Trap dust - don't release it"Don't use feather dusters at all," Alzubi said.He recommended something that can capture the dust: a damp microfiber cloth.7. Maximize efficiencyClean and dust top to bottom, left to right and inside to outside, says Alzubi. This eliminates unnecessary work.8. Don't ignore your bedroomOswald says consumers often instruct cleaners to skip their bedrooms, because no one will see them. However, Oswald and Mulcahy agree that the bedroom is the most important place to keep clean since you spend most of your time there."You're in there for eight hours every night," Oswald said. "Make your room your sanctuary."9. Call in reinforcementsSometimes it might be best to hire a highly rated house cleaner to get your house in tiptop shape.Mulcahy said to communicate openly with the cleaner, so they understand you're targeting specific problem areas. Oswald prefers that clients tell her about any allergy issues, including sensitivity to chemicals.Alzubi added that you can hire a house cleaner to do it all, or just for help in those allergen-ridden locations. His company charges $95 per hour with a 1-hour minimum for two cleaners, supplies and equipment.Stephanie Snay is a reporter at Angie's list, www.angieslist.com, a provider of local consumer reviews and an online marketplace of services from top-rated providers.