The saying “Children nowadays have more allergies than before” seems to be true. According to statistics from the Allergy and Immunology Association of Thailand, currently, 38% of Thai children suffer from allergies, while 20% of adults have allergies. Compared to figures from 10 years ago, the number of Thais with allergies has nearly doubled.
The main cause of allergies is genetic inheritance, but the environment and allergens also trigger symptoms more easily, especially dust mites or household dust. Cleaning and organizing the home hygienically is one way to reduce the chances of allergies. Here are 5 tips on how to organize your home to stay allergy-free:
- Bedding, pillows, curtains – keep dust away
Bedding, pillows, and blankets are breeding grounds for bacteria, germs, sweat, and dead skin cells, which allow dust mites to thrive. They should be kept clean and dust-free at all times. Wash them in a washing machine using the hot water setting. Use small rugs or those that can be machine washed, and wash curtains frequently. Items that are difficult or impossible to wash, such as pillows or mattresses, should be sun-dried once or twice a month or exposed to sunlight by opening windows and doors. Vacuum cleaners and natural cleaning agents can help. Don’t forget to flip mattresses to clean the underside as well.
- Air must be clean and well-ventilated
If you have air conditioning at home, having a technician clean it once or twice a year is not enough. What you can do regularly, about once or twice a month, is to clean the air filters. Fans, which often accumulate dust on the grills and blades, should be cleaned frequently. If dust remains despite cleaning, consider using an air purifier to trap dust or an automatic vacuum cleaner. However, you should open windows and doors occasionally to allow fresh air circulation. If you are worried about dust entering the house, open them early in the morning or right after the rain stops, as the air is cleaner and contains less dust at those times.
- Non-toxic furniture with doors that open and close
Choose furniture without legs because being flush with the floor helps reduce dust accumulation. For furniture with legs, ensure they are high enough to allow vacuum cleaners or mops to clean underneath. Cabinets or display cases should have doors that close. Use fabric sofas with removable covers or leather ones that are easier to clean. Before buying furniture, check if the materials and manufacturing processes involve chemicals that may cause allergies. Choosing furniture free of formaldehyde can reduce the risk of respiratory diseases. Avoid having hard-to-clean corners that become dust traps.
- Home decorations, toys, and collectibles often collect dust
We often overlook toys, stuffed animals, collectibles, home decorations, wallpaper, and picture frames on walls, as well as piles of books. These items are often left untouched and forgotten when cleaning. Therefore, store unused items in plastic bags inside cabinets. After children finish playing, toys should be stored in boxes with tight-fitting lids. Regularly wipe wallpaper, picture frames, and wall-mounted mirrors to keep them dust-free. This not only reduces allergy risks but also keeps the home looking clean and tidy.
- Allergy to cat hair, dog hair, and animal fur requires designated areas
Pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and even unkept animals like cockroaches can bring allergies into the home. Especially if there are children, pets should not be allowed to roam freely or climb on sofas or beds. Most animal hair allergies are actually caused by allergic reactions to the saliva animals use to groom themselves, which sticks to their fur, as well as tiny mites on their bodies that come into contact with children. Pets should be bathed frequently. To prevent cockroach allergies, keep food scraps tightly wrapped and dispose of them in covered trash bins, and keep the kitchen clean at all times.
