There are a number of simple steps
that you and your family can take to make your home a pollen and dust free zone.

• First you should refrain from opening the windows which can allow pollen to get into your house. Do not open your windows despite how refreshing you think it may be. This is true especially at night between the hours of 6 pm and 10 pm when pollen peaks are their highest.
• Keep pollen out of the house ! Instead use the air conditioner and remember to change the filter monthly. Many folks don't realize how allergenic their bedrooms can be.
• Make sure to take a shower and wash your hair before going to sleep. This will prevent pollen from leaving your hair and going onto your pillow and bedsheets.
• Do not let your pets in any of the bedrooms. As much as you love Fido or Fluffy they are little pollen carriers. One sure way of capturing pollen and dust indoors is to use a damp cloth for dusting and daily vacuuming.
• Some people are especially sensitive to dust so you may want to purchase a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for your vacuum, specially designed to pick up minute particles.
• Never hang clothes or sheets out to dry, since pollen can collect on them. Even though you may think you are getting that "fresh scent" all you will get is a runny nose.

Minimize the allergens
There are many things that you can do to minimize the effects of the outdoors on your allergies.

• It is a good idea avoid outdoor activity during the peak pollen hours of 6 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 10 pm. If you enjoy walking or other outdoor exercise, you may want to schedule it between these hours. If you can't, you may want to try working out at a local gym or Y.
• The Weather Channel is an allergy suffers best resource. Not only do they report the daily weather which can help plan out your outdoor day, it also tells you the allergy hot spots all across the United States. For example, a stretch of dry, warm, windy days can send pollen counts soaring, while a slow, steady rain will act as a natural air scrubber and clean the air for about 24 hours.
• Keeping your home free of dust and pollen takes common sense steps that you can successfully do.

April Showers Can Bring
More than May Flowers!
Allergy Tips for the Seasonal Allergy Sufferer
by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
This is the time of year when allergy suffers find themselves doing battle with springtime pollen and mold.  While traditional allergies can be a little more than annoying with the running noses, watery eyes, and sneezing, there is a bigger threat on the horizon- Asthma.
Find out more.

Fix-It Corner & Meet the Author present...
Anne Berthold-Bond
"Better Basics for the Home:
Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living"
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
Interview & FREE natural pesticide recipes
Back in the early 80s Anne Berthold-Bond knew something was not right. She knew that something wrong with her.  Anne found herself unusually sensitive to the chemicals in her environment. Anne' story kicked off her journey to develop safe, easy to make household products. Her book BETTER BASICS FOR THE HOME is a survival guide full of over 800 "recipes" for cleaning  the house, washing clothes and even making hand lotions and creams. Find out more.

Keeping the air in your home clean using a HEPA filter vaccum

Hoover Windtunnel Upright Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA filter also see: Natural Cleaning Ideas

The Asthma Sourcebook
Family Guide to Asthma & Allergies
FREE Natural Cleaning Ideas

Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean
Life Makeovers
more Cleaning Books
more Home Improvement
FREE Natural Cleaning Ideas
FREE Fix-It Ideas

more gardening books
FREE Flower Crafts
FREE Garden Ideas