Travis Neighbor Ward

Seven Ways to Chase the Dust Out of Your House.

By Travis Neighbor Ward

If you wake up in the morning wheezing, itching or sneezing -- or with a blocked or runny nose, watery eyes, a cough or a rash -- the source of your misery may be closer than you realize. "Probably ten to fifteen percent of people are allergic to dust, but only half of them know it," says Dr. Wellington Tichenor, a New York City allergist. 'The average bed is full of dust. Instead of getting away from dust when you sleep, you're getting constant, direct exposure to it all night long."

Indoor house dust is produced from the breakdown of natural materials, such as feathers, cotton and wool --things often used to stuff pillows and mattresses, and to make bed coverings, carpets and upholstered furniture. House dust often contains mold and microscopic dust mites, both of which produce allergenic proteins. Because dust is so invasive, regular cleaning isn't enough. The key is to make your bedroom what Dr. Tichenor calls an allergic oasis. 'The idea is to create an area where you can go to get away from allergens," he explains. "That way you can significantly reduce the amount of your exposure."

Here are some tips for getting the dust out:

1. Reduce indoor humidity to less than 50 percent and don't steamclean furniture. Humidity encourages dust mites and mold to grow. The easiest way to lower humidity is by using an air conditioner (don't forget to clean the filter regularly), which will also keep outdoor pollen and mold from coming in. Dehumidifiers, which tend to work well in basements, generally aren't sufficient for inside the house. If you have a central cooling or heating system, install filters to reduce the amount of dust being blown around.

2. Use an air purifier. The Honeywell Enviracare, with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, is a good choice. Make sure to get a purifier that's the right power for the square footage of the room you're planning to use it in.

3. Cover your mattress, pillows and bedding with dust-mite covers. Their tight weave will keep the culprits at bay. "You can never get the dust mites out of the bed," says Dr. Tichenor, "but you can create a barrier between you and them to reduce allergy exposure." Plastic covers are also available, but can be noisy when you move in bed.

4. Buy comforters and pillows filled with stuffing made of synthetics, such as dacron and orlon. Replace pillows every few years. Wash sheets and pillows once a week in hot water, and wash comforters and cotton blankets regularly.

5. In the bedroom, keep books and small objects in drawers or cabinets. These things attract dust and create clutter, making it harder to clean flat surfaces well. Keep clothes in their closets with the doors closed.

6. Remove carpets and substitute washable rugs. Even better, leave your wooden or tile floors bare. Carpets, especially the wall-to-wall type, are havens for dust mites. If you can't remove carpets, treat them with a tannic acid solution, which neutralizes the mites.

7. Vacuum floors and upholstered furniture regularly. The best vacuum cleaners come with a HEPA filter, but can be expensive. And remember to wear a dust mask while cleaning. Wipe surfaces with anti-dust-mite cleaning agents and chlorine bleach or TSP to reduce mold.

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You can find some antiallergenic products, such as dust masks and air purifiers, at hardware stores and housewares stores. Manufacturers specializing in a wide range of such products include AllerGuard (800-234-0816); Allergy Control Products (800-422DUST); Priorities (800-553-5398); and Honeywell (800-332-1110).