As spring begins, now is a good time to start fresh by giving your home a thorough cleaning. If you have asthma and allergies, a clean living space can reduce your contact with allergens and irritants. Follow this checklist to help improve your indoor air quality and keep asthma and allergy triggers at bay. Be sure to use Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® products to have a healthier home.

As you clean, you may stir up allergens and asthma triggers. This can cause them to become airborne and get into your eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs. This is especially common when vacuuming, dusting, or cleaning up mold.

To reduce your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers while cleaning, wear an N95 mask and goggles and cover your hair. Or have someone else clean while you are not in the room. Also use Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® products that can help capture allergens and reduce your exposure.

Bedrooms

• Remove clutter.
• Replace pillows if more than 2years old.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Mop solid surface floors and under all furniture.
• Remove dust on and behind furniture, like dressers and nightstands, on ceiling fans and light fixtures, and closet shelves (use a microfiber cloth or Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® dust cloth that traps allergens).
• Check allergen barrier covers on mattresses and pillows for wear – replace, if necessary.
• Replace or clean filters in air cleaners.
• Vacuum mattresses, fabric furniture, and wall-to-wall carpet weekly with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly®.
  
  

Bathrooms

• Fix leaks.
• Dust or rinse clean the exhaust fan covers.
• Clean and remove mold (check showers, tubs, sinks, toilets, and inside cabinets).
• Check shower curtains for signs of mold and mildew – replace, if necessary.
• If your bathroom has a window, wash curtains or replace them with frosted glass or blinds. Clean weekly.
• Wash throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
  
  

Living/Family Room

• Remove clutter.
• Remove dust from ceiling fans and electronics.
• Mop solid surface floors and under all furniture.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Replace filters in air cleaners.
• Vacuum furniture and wall-to-wall carpet weekly with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® (Long term, it is best to replace carpet with CERTIFIED solid surface flooring, if possible).
  
  

Kitchen

• Fix leaks.
• Remove mold. Check sinks, inside cabinets, produce bins, trash cans, and refrigerator seals.
• Wipe down the tops of cabinets and range hoods often with warm, soapy water.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Clean your garbage disposal with baking soda and white vinegar.
• Mop floors and under all furniture.
  
  

Looking for tips for other areas of your home? Check out our Healthier Home Checklist. Our interactive checklist can help you learn ways to improve your indoor air quality and reduce asthma and allergy triggers throughout your entire home.