Scents
The best and easiest way to clean without allergy triggers is to nix scents from your solutions. “I'm a big fan of making your own cleaners,” says green-cleaning expert Leslie Reichert, author of The Joy of Green Cleaning. She suggests starting with a couple basic products: “Using baking soda and salt can be a great alternative to a powdered scrub cleanser.”
Essential Oils
If you find a good, fresh scent essential to feeling like you’ve truly cleaned, you aren’t completely out of luck. “You can always use essential oils,” says Reichert. From lavender to vanilla, peppermint and beyond, there’s sure to be a smell (or several) for you … one that won’t exacerbate your allergies.
Disinfect
Another cleaner that’s easy on the eyes and nose? Vinegar. “It’s a great disinfectant,” Reichert says. “It actually kills 98 percent of bacteria.” As previously mentioned, if you don't like the scent of vinegar, just add an essential oil to remove the sharp smell.
Ventilate
If you do continue to use cleaners that have strong scents, make sure you’re not in a tightly enclosed area without ventilation. “The key is not to let the odors become too concentrated,” says Dr. Gital Patel, a doctor certified in pediatric and adult allergy and immunology. “Always open the window or run an exhaust fan.”
Dust
If you’re not careful, dusting can simply mean sending particles from surfaces into the air—which will have your kids sneezing. “When your kids have allergies, you really want to avoid airborne allergens,” Reichert says. “The less chemicals you use, the better. The best way to dust is to spritz a microfiber cloth with water.” Simple and cost-efficient.
Glass Surfaces
Halt: Despite all you know, you don’t need Windex to clean glass tabletops or windows. “There are some great cleaning tools that don't even use chemicals, but a fine woven microfiber cloth will clean glass without any cleaning products or paper towels at all,” says Reichert.
Steam Clean
You don’t need chemical-based cleaners to thoroughly clean your wood and tile, either. “I love steam cleaners,” says Reichert. “They are great for cleaning hard floors, and kill all the germs without any harsh chemicals.” A good steam cleaner is worth the investment, since you'll be able to use it year after year.
MORE: Allergy-Proof Your Home
Vacuuming
It might seem natural to vacuum the floors and pick up dust so your kids won’t be crawling in it … but this may backfire. “Vacuuming can actually be bad for allergies,” says Patel.” The allergens themselves are so tiny, they can go right through the filter to be expelled out of the vacuum's exhaust and dispersed in the air.” The fix? Look for a vacuum with a HEPA (“high efficiency particulate air”) filter, which will catch most allergens before they get released into your home.
Emptying
Once you’re done vacuuming, your job isn’t totally over. “If you use a bagless vacuum, you want to be very careful with how you empty the container,” Reichert says. Dumping the dust container inside the house creates airborne dust in the home.” So, take it outside. And if you’re using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, change it often.
Washable Rugs
Rugs can be little dust collectors, and shaking them out or vacuuming can simply kick up the soot and provoke allergies. Patel says, particularly if you have kids with dust-mite allergies, to be careful how you clean. When you buy area rugs, choose machine-washable ones, which are the best options for nixing allergens.
