In my last blog post, I wrote about the disheartening trendin home decorating towards carpeting, especially in the bedrooms.

We went over how carpet is a hotbed of dust mite and otherhousehold allergen activity.

However, I realize that in the real world there will besituations where you just can’t get rid of the carpets.  In that case, you just have to do the bestgiven the situation and try to minimize the allergens that are collecting inthe carpet.

Start by vacuuming regularly with a high quality vacuum thatwas designed for containing the allergens and reducing your exposure.  So, don’t let the handsome guy on TV with thecool accent convince you that his bagless vacuum with “cyclone technology” isthe best for you.  It is not,  he is just trying to sell you a vacuum.

Ask yourself, “If the goal is to reduce my exposure, why onearth do I want something that will send a cloud of collected particles up inthe air when I empty it?”  Seriously, theentire concept of a “bag-less allergy vacuum” is an oxymoron.  You want to look for a canister vacuumsystem.  You want the canister and theentire vacuum system to be sealed so that allergens don’t leak out.  You want a vacuum with a HEPA filter.  You want that HEPA filter to be post motor,so the last thing that happens to the air before it is exhausted is that it iscleaned.  You want to make sure that youchange that HEPA filter as recommended by the manufacturer.  There are several brands of vacuums on themarket (Lindhaus, Nilfisk, Miele) that meet all of these requirements and wesell two of them.  I prefer the Miele vacuum for allergy protection. You should check them out.

Secondly, no matter how well you vacuum, allergens will beleft behind..  If you have carpets you aregoing to have to treat them on a regular basis to denature the allergens..

The standard product for removing allergens from carpets isX-Mite Powder.  It is a tannic acid basedmoist powder that will brighten the carpets and denature the allergens.  It must be applied every 3 months.  It is effective, that is why doctorsrecommend it.  It is also a bit of ahassle for people with busy lives.   Yousprinkle the powder down, sweep it into the fibers with a broom and then wait 3hours.  You then vacuum up the powder andthrow the vacuum bag away. 

I prefer to treat carpets for allergies with ADMSSpray.  It contains no tannic acid and isperfect for light colored and low pile carpets. You get the same denaturing action with much less hassle.  Just vacuum the carpet to remove loose soiland then lightly spray the ADMS down.  Inabout 15 to 20 minutes it will be dry and you can be on your way.

In the best of worlds, there would be no carpet.  But if you live in the real world, it ispossible to live with those carpets and your allergies.  You just have to work at the relationship.

Until Next Time

Cheryl Krause