Household triggers—like dust mites, pet allergens, mold & mildew, and insects—are one of the most common causes of perennial allergic rhinitis, or year-round allergy, affecting millions of adults and children. The symptoms are often the same as seasonal allergies, but at least there’s something you can do about them—beyond medication. With proper cleaning and maintenance techniques, you’ll be able to breeze through spring cleaning with eyes bright and lungs free. If you are allergy-prone, recruit non-allergic helpers and/or wear a facemask while cleaning.

Dust Mites

You can’t see them and they feed off the flakes of your skin. They can bury themselves in your pet’s fur and leave droppings all over your house. Sound like a horror movie? Nope, just some pesky dust mites—tiny microscopic relatives of the spider that live on mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains. All houses have them (some more than others), and no matter how clean a home is, they can never be totally eliminated. The good news is that mites do not cause allergies in everybody (check with your doctor), but if you are susceptible, just inhaling or coming into contact with dust mites could provoke asthma, allergies, and/or eczema symptoms. It would take dynamite to rid your house completely of mites, but some targeted cleaning tips can go a long way toward lightening your load.

Mites love light and thrive on warmth and humidity, so get them where they live. Consider these tips:

Kick those mites out of your bed. Encase your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen-impermeable covers (available from some bedding and department stores and specialty supply mail order companies). Washing bedding and blankets in hot water (130°-140° F) once a week kills mites. Also, replace wool or feathered bedding with synthetic materials.  

Deny mites their running space. If possible, replace wall-to-wall carpets in bedrooms with sanded and varnished floorboards, or linoleum, tiled, or vinyl. Use washable area rugs instead, but keep to a minimum. 

Don’t play with mites. If your child is allergic, cut down on stuffed animals or buy ones you can wash weekly in hot water. Or, try substituting a little cotton blanket for a bed toy. Keep other toys in a closed toy chest.  

Hang the creatures out to dry. A dehumidifier or air conditioner maintained at a relative humidity of about 50% or below will help keep mites from breeding.

Suck ‘em up. Vacuuming and dusting may stir up dust and blow allergens into the air, but vacuuming is necessary to keep dust mite numbers down. For allergy-prone households, use a vacuum cleaner with either a double-layered microfilter bag or a HEPA vacuum filter to trap allergens that pass through a vacuum's exhaust.

Spring open. Ventilate. A tight house with little airflow creates high humidity that mites favor, which is why opening the windows is an important part of spring cleaning. If you have central heating, try lowering the thermostat.

Mold & Mildew

Mold and mildew are terms often used interchangeably to identify that creepy, crawly fungus that turns old bread and sour cream into a furry mess. They can also attack any part of your home, especially where there are pockets of wetness (fungus adores moisture). Bathrooms and kitchens are big targets, especially in the tile grout and on shower curtains. But you’ll also find mildew and molds under sinks, where the tub or shower meets the floor, and around window frames and sills. Mold spores float throughout the house, forming new colonies wherever they land.

Besides being downright ugly, mold can also cause allergies in some people—anything from respiratory and skin problems to depression. And, the smell of mold and mildew is distasteful.

Below are some ways to keep mold from overtaking your home.

Don’t send invites. Flooding is a mold’s best friend. Remove carpets, wallpaper, or rotting windowsills that are damp with mold.

Dry it out. Get rid of dampness, especially in your basement, with a dehumidifier.

Plug the dike. Fix any plumbing leaks.

Curtain time. Arrange shower curtains during and after each bathing so as not to leak water.

Secure defenses. Cement linoleum to the floor. Any openings can allow moisture to seep in and create mold.

Don’t hoard food. Throw out any furry culprits in the fridge.

Be a clean machine. Keep all countertops and under-sink cabinets clean, cleared, and dry.

Swipe and wipe. Blot up any accumulated moisture in the fridge and clean regularly—especially the crispy drawers.

Pet Allergens

It’s a sad day when you discover you’re allergic to your beloved pets. Yet sensitivity to pet dander is one of the most common allergies around. Even when no one in the family suffers from allergies, reducing pet allergens through careful housecleaning can ward off future problems.




A fact of life for cats and dogs, dander is simply tiny flakes of skin that are normally shed everyday. Easily airborne, dander flies around the house until it settles—on carpets, furniture, bedding, etc. Inhaling dander can irritate nasal passages, incite sneezing, produce runny eyes, and cause other allergic reactions.

Pet allergens are even present in urine. When mouse or cat urine dries, allergens can become airborne and thus inhaled. Kicking up a swirl of dust whenever you change the kitty litter or clean a hamster cage can cause allergens to spread.

Pet saliva also contains allergens; when pets lick themselves, saliva gets deposited and spreads germs wherever they lounge. If you own a pet, you own their germs.

To remain a healthy and free-breathing pet owner, follow these tips:

Stake out your territory. Create a “sneeze-free" zone and strictly prohibit the pet’s access. In particular, make the bedroom off-limits for pets, and keep the door closed so allergens can’t waft in.

Wash them down. Giving your pet frequent grooming and bathing helps reduce allergens from spreading. At the very least, brush your pet daily (outside) and bathe once a week, rinsing thoroughly (a task to be done only by those with no allergies). Also helpful are certain “wipes” or anti-allergic liquids made to remove dander from a pet’s skin and fur.

Separate the toys. Keep children’s toys and stuffed animals out of the reach of pets to avoid spreading dander and germs.

Go for a test drive. Before obtaining a pet, spend time with other people’s pets to see if you are allergic.

Just say no. Don’t let pets jump on kitchen counters. If they do, clean immediately.  And don’t let pets drink out of the toilet or use it to go to the bathroom.

Dander Patrol. Dust-bust dander frequently.