Author Topic: Dust Free House on the Cheap?  (Read 6952 times)

BrooklineBiker

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Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« on: August 26, 2017, 10:31:51 AM »
Hi everybody,
I have a major dust allergy. I need a cheap solution to manage it. I've been working part-time and/or out of the house for awhile or unemployed so I've been managing my dust allergy with lots of vacuuming and a HEPA air filter. I'm getting allergy shots but told they won't have any effect for another year or so. However, circumstances have changed & I must take a full-time job out of the house. I can expect to be working some overtime so I won't be able to do much vacuuming anymore. I have a spouse, a 5-year-old, & an almost 11-year-old. None of them pick up much & don't want to start. Clutter and dropped food are an issue. I've tried and failed over a period of many months to modify that behavior. We have a 2-story house with mostly hardwood floors, a couple thin rugs, and a scattering of dropped toys and clothing. The house has forced hot air for heat which does a lovely job of blowing dust around. My best ideas to manage the dust when I'm back to an office job are to buy a Roomba or Neato (possibly used) and run them daily and have a house cleaner come in weekly. I might buy another air filter too. Are there other frugal or frugalish ways to handle this?

Cranky

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2017, 11:03:51 AM »
What does your allergist recommend?

My dd's allergist told us to concentrate on her room, because that's where she slept. No rugs, regular vacuuming, pillow protectors. It definitely did not take a whole year to see results from the allergy shots, though.

Kriegsspiel

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2017, 02:17:53 PM »


This one's only $25. That's not including the helmet, but you did say you wanted to be frugal about it.

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2017, 02:33:44 PM »
What does your allergist recommend?

My dd's allergist told us to concentrate on her room, because that's where she slept. No rugs, regular vacuuming, pillow protectors. It definitely did not take a whole year to see results from the allergy shots, though.
I do focus on the bedroom where I sleep. However, I need a clean kitchen, little kid bedroom, etc. because I need to spend time with the kids, cook, etc without making my sensitization issues worse. So I'm seeking advice.

Cassie

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2017, 02:37:15 PM »
Shots don't  work for  everyone.  They  never  helped me  at all. No clutter  in your  bedroom.  Clean that  room the  most.  Mattress and  pillow covers to  prevent  dust mites. Wash curtains,  sheets, comforter in hot water  weekly.  Your  bedroom  is the  most  important to  keep  clean.

Kriegsspiel

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2017, 02:52:22 PM »
You'd rather buy a Roomba ($300), a new air filter ($20), and employ a maid ($90/wk), than a $25 gas mask rated to withstand nuclear, biological, and chemical attack, including teargas?

Maybe you should spring for the helmet, to ward off all the facepunches you're going to receive as a result of your wanton consumerism.

former player

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2017, 03:48:52 PM »
Hi everybody,
I have a major dust allergy. I need a cheap solution to manage it. I've been working part-time and/or out of the house for awhile or unemployed so I've been managing my dust allergy with lots of vacuuming and a HEPA air filter. I'm getting allergy shots but told they won't have any effect for another year or so. However, circumstances have changed & I must take a full-time job out of the house. I can expect to be working some overtime so I won't be able to do much vacuuming anymore. I have a spouse, a 5-year-old, & an almost 11-year-old. None of them pick up much & don't want to start. Clutter and dropped food are an issue. I've tried and failed over a period of many months to modify that behavior. We have a 2-story house with mostly hardwood floors, a couple thin rugs, and a scattering of dropped toys and clothing. The house has forced hot air for heat which does a lovely job of blowing dust around. My best ideas to manage the dust when I'm back to an office job are to buy a Roomba or Neato (possibly used) and run them daily and have a house cleaner come in weekly. I might buy another air filter too. Are there other frugal or frugalish ways to handle this?

The bolded bit is your answer: that's what you need to change.  You now have a more than full-time job, which means that the other members of the household are going to have to step up and do the majority of running the household, including cleaning.  You need to call a household meeting to explain why things are going to have to change and agree a schedule for the new arrangements.

Clutter is easy: anything not put back in the right place goes in the trash, and anything that's not essential leaves the house too.  Dropped food is nasty: the rule needs to be all food consumed in formal meals at the table, no snacks, no food outside the kitchen and dining room. 

Forced hot air for someone who has dust allergies sounds nuts, frankly.  I'm guessing that either moving or changing the system isn't going to happen.  Is there a way to clean out the system itself?

HipGnosis

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2017, 06:12:38 PM »
How often are you changing the filter on your furnace?  Are you buying good, brand name filters?
Can you add a HEPA filter to the furnace / system??

I tend to agree that other members of the family/household can NOT be allowed to do things that effect your health.
I would suggest tactics to correct the situation, but I'll bite my tongue.

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2017, 07:08:07 PM »
Hi everybody,
I have a major dust allergy. I need a cheap solution to manage it. I've been working part-time and/or out of the house for awhile or unemployed so I've been managing my dust allergy with lots of vacuuming and a HEPA air filter. I'm getting allergy shots but told they won't have any effect for another year or so. However, circumstances have changed & I must take a full-time job out of the house. I can expect to be working some overtime so I won't be able to do much vacuuming anymore. I have a spouse, a 5-year-old, & an almost 11-year-old. None of them pick up much & don't want to start. Clutter and dropped food are an issue. I've tried and failed over a period of many months to modify that behavior. We have a 2-story house with mostly hardwood floors, a couple thin rugs, and a scattering of dropped toys and clothing. The house has forced hot air for heat which does a lovely job of blowing dust around. My best ideas to manage the dust when I'm back to an office job are to buy a Roomba or Neato (possibly used) and run them daily and have a house cleaner come in weekly. I might buy another air filter too. Are there other frugal or frugalish ways to handle this?

The bolded bit is your answer: that's what you need to change.  You now have a more than full-time job, which means that the other members of the household are going to have to step up and do the majority of running the household, including cleaning.  You need to call a household meeting to explain why things are going to have to change and agree a schedule for the new arrangements.

Clutter is easy: anything not put back in the right place goes in the trash, and anything that's not essential leaves the house too.  Dropped food is nasty: the rule needs to be all food consumed in formal meals at the table, no snacks, no food outside the kitchen and dining room. 

Forced hot air for someone who has dust allergies sounds nuts, frankly.  I'm guessing that either moving or changing the system isn't going to happen.  Is there a way to clean out the system itself?
I can check into cleaning out the ventilation system. I cleaned the registers out when my allergies went nuts last fall. The family is a significant contributor to the mess but I can't resolve that problem without a divorce. I've had a lot of (rough) conversations with my spouse on this topic:(

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2017, 07:09:30 PM »
How often are you changing the filter on your furnace?  Are you buying good, brand name filters?
Can you add a HEPA filter to the furnace / system??

I tend to agree that other members of the family/household can NOT be allowed to do things that effect your health.
I would suggest tactics to correct the situation, but I'll bite my tongue.
I change the filter once or twice a winter and vacuum out the boiler room area monthly during heating season.

Cranky

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2017, 05:31:38 AM »
"Clutter" really isn't a dust issue, though. Dust mites live in fairly specific conditions, and the kitchen isn't hospitable to them.

former player

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2017, 06:09:03 AM »
You need to do the sums on the proposed overtime: by the time you take out all the financial and non-financial costs the advantages may be marginal.  If you do take on the overtime, your nest short-term answer looks like the cleaner- the only way you will be able to maintain a full-time job, overtime, the raising of kids and the managing of a household is by keeping your health.

I'm sorry you have such a lazy, self-centred arsehole for a spouse.  Arguing doesn't do any good with such people.  Instead, you need to learn some serious, professional-level negotiating skills.  Try the internet and library books and put together a year's course for yourself: it will repay you in all aspects of your life, not just with your spouse.

Also, please think about the lessons your children are learning from your household.  You have two problems: one is that they are learning some bad lessons about inequality and reciprocity in relationships, and the other is that they are not learning the skills they need to run their own households in the future or to be good dorm mates, room mates or spouses themselves.  Start small, with them learning to only eat and drink in the kitchen/dining room and to clear their plates from the table after eating.  Move on to them incrementally doing more and more.

Good luck.

Dee18

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2017, 01:33:17 PM »
Key things that have helped my allergies in the home: (1) all shoes get taken off at the door; this dramatically reduces dirt in the house ( and pollen), (2) swiffer floor regularly, (3) get rid of lots of stuff so floors and furniture are accessible, (4) minimize upholstered furniture...leather or vinyl couch and chairs, (5) have furnace cleaned...previous home owners had a dog and the cleaners found lots of animal hair in side the furnace, (6) replace duct work...this was extreme, but it was 40 years old and insulated with carpet like material that was disintegrating, (7) dirty clothes only go in one's hamper, and (8) allergy proof mattress and pillow covers on your bed.

Have your children clean.  They are old enough.  The 11 year old can do just about everything an adult can do to take care of a house.  If your spouse won't help, at least elicit spouse's support in having kids do it.  This is not something they should get to choose.  If they complain, tell them when they are adults and supporting themselves they will have many choices about how to live. 

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #13 on: August 28, 2017, 08:14:30 AM »
How often are you changing the filter on your furnace?  Are you buying good, brand name filters?
Can you add a HEPA filter to the furnace / system??

I tend to agree that other members of the family/household can NOT be allowed to do things that effect your health.
I would suggest tactics to correct the situation, but I'll bite my tongue.
Thanks for your support. I could go on a rant but I'll avoid that. :)

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #14 on: August 28, 2017, 08:18:17 AM »
You need to do the sums on the proposed overtime: by the time you take out all the financial and non-financial costs the advantages may be marginal.  If you do take on the overtime, your nest short-term answer looks like the cleaner- the only way you will be able to maintain a full-time job, overtime, the raising of kids and the managing of a household is by keeping your health.

I'm sorry you have such a lazy, self-centred arsehole for a spouse.  Arguing doesn't do any good with such people.  Instead, you need to learn some serious, professional-level negotiating skills.  Try the internet and library books and put together a year's course for yourself: it will repay you in all aspects of your life, not just with your spouse.

Also, please think about the lessons your children are learning from your household.  You have two problems: one is that they are learning some bad lessons about inequality and reciprocity in relationships, and the other is that they are not learning the skills they need to run their own households in the future or to be good dorm mates, room mates or spouses themselves.  Start small, with them learning to only eat and drink in the kitchen/dining room and to clear their plates from the table after eating.  Move on to them incrementally doing more and more.

Good luck.
Hi Former Player,
Thanks, I'll really appreciate your sympathy. You're absolutely right. Staying healthy is key to getting to work & working at a high level. The kids are learning terrible lessons. There have been some good arguments at home about this. I'll look into the books & videos on negotiation. We do have an agreement in place with the 11 year old about cleaning before school in the morning. There were big arguments attempting to enforce that today. Ugh.

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #15 on: August 28, 2017, 08:23:07 AM »
Key things that have helped my allergies in the home: (1) all shoes get taken off at the door; this dramatically reduces dirt in the house ( and pollen), (2) swiffer floor regularly, (3) get rid of lots of stuff so floors and furniture are accessible, (4) minimize upholstered furniture...leather or vinyl couch and chairs, (5) have furnace cleaned...previous home owners had a dog and the cleaners found lots of animal hair in side the furnace, (6) replace duct work...this was extreme, but it was 40 years old and insulated with carpet like material that was disintegrating, (7) dirty clothes only go in one's hamper, and (8) allergy proof mattress and pillow covers on your bed.

Have your children clean.  They are old enough.  The 11 year old can do just about everything an adult can do to take care of a house.  If your spouse won't help, at least elicit spouse's support in having kids do it.  This is not something they should get to choose.  If they complain, tell them when they are adults and supporting themselves they will have many choices about how to live.
Hi Dee18,
Wow animal hair in the furnace. We had a shedding machine dog until recently. Yikes! Is furnace cleaning something that can be done DIY? We have one of the new electronic ones burning natural gas.
 I agree the 11-year-old can do way more. However, I get no support from my wife and many arguments on that. The 11-year-old is in counseling. The LCSW says she isn't developmentally ready to follow lots of instructions regarding cleaning so there is a short written agreement for cleaning she is supposed to follow before school. She does a little but Daddy's idea of clean (nothing on floor or countertops) & her idea of clean (sticky spots, crumbs, chunks of food) are very different. The Mrs. dumps clothes everywhere as do the kids. I've purchase sealable bins for clothing but they see no use.
« Last Edit: August 28, 2017, 08:24:42 AM by BrooklineBiker »

Kwill

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #16 on: August 28, 2017, 08:34:15 AM »
My Mom and brother have allergies, and we always had a family cleaning time on Saturdays. My brother and I were responsible for our own rooms, and then we each cleaned one bathroom and dusted and vacuumed either the living room or the dining room. The beds were remade with fresh sheets. My mother cleaned the kitchen and her room and checked that we did our work and also did the laundry. I think my father was probably washing the car and mowing the lawn during this time. It seems retro now, and even at the time, it got old when I was in junior high and high school and not able to do anything on the weekends. But it was clean and frugal. I think my mother probably cleaned during the week as well.

This was a little different because it was my mother's allergy, and she was the main one making sure the house was dust free. It might be worthwhile in your case to pay for outside help cleaning if you can so as to preserve both your physical health and the health of your family relationships.

I'm a red panda

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #17 on: August 28, 2017, 08:36:12 AM »
Do you have a pet?

Dee18

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #18 on: August 28, 2017, 08:49:37 AM »
Re cleaning furnace:  a friend told me there are YouTube videos on how to do it.  I plan to try it with the condo I am moving into next month.
Re vacuuming: I was advised that vacuuming with anything other than a sealed hepa filter vacuum actually stirs up the dust.
Re bedding: be sure that everything including coverlets and blankets is regularly washed in hot water.
You have my sympathy in dealing with family members who don't acknowledge that allergies are a serious health issue. 

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #19 on: August 28, 2017, 08:49:21 PM »
Do you have a pet?
Hi Iowajes,
We no longer have a pet. I was able to get support from my wife to transition the dog out to a relative to help my allergies. My almost 11-year old remains pretty mad about it. She was friends with the dog, even though the adults provided most of the care.

Case

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #20 on: August 29, 2017, 06:07:21 AM »
Key things that have helped my allergies in the home: (1) all shoes get taken off at the door; this dramatically reduces dirt in the house ( and pollen), (2) swiffer floor regularly, (3) get rid of lots of stuff so floors and furniture are accessible, (4) minimize upholstered furniture...leather or vinyl couch and chairs, (5) have furnace cleaned...previous home owners had a dog and the cleaners found lots of animal hair in side the furnace, (6) replace duct work...this was extreme, but it was 40 years old and insulated with carpet like material that was disintegrating, (7) dirty clothes only go in one's hamper, and (8) allergy proof mattress and pillow covers on your bed.

Have your children clean.  They are old enough.  The 11 year old can do just about everything an adult can do to take care of a house.  If your spouse won't help, at least elicit spouse's support in having kids do it.  This is not something they should get to choose.  If they complain, tell them when they are adults and supporting themselves they will have many choices about how to live.
Hi Dee18,
Wow animal hair in the furnace. We had a shedding machine dog until recently. Yikes! Is furnace cleaning something that can be done DIY? We have one of the new electronic ones burning natural gas.
 I agree the 11-year-old can do way more. However, I get no support from my wife and many arguments on that. The 11-year-old is in counseling. The LCSW says she isn't developmentally ready to follow lots of instructions regarding cleaning so there is a short written agreement for cleaning she is supposed to follow before school. She does a little but Daddy's idea of clean (nothing on floor or countertops) & her idea of clean (sticky spots, crumbs, chunks of food) are very different. The Mrs. dumps clothes everywhere as do the kids. I've purchase sealable bins for clothing but they see no use.

Uuuuuffffff.   You have a serious allergy issues and your spouse isn't willing to help stay clean to mitigate it?  Does she understand that it can effect whether or not you can work?

It sounds like the follow up problem is how to deal with your spouse and whether it is a healthy relationship that will work.

But anyways, assuming your family doesn't help, try a roomba and pair it with your own vacuuming.   Consider moving into a guest bedroom If you have one and keep the door closed.   Focus on keeping that room and spend your time there.

I'm a red panda

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #21 on: August 29, 2017, 06:19:28 AM »
Do you have a pet?
Hi Iowajes,
We no longer have a pet. I was able to get support from my wife to transition the dog out to a relative to help my allergies. My almost 11-year old remains pretty mad about it. She was friends with the dog, even though the adults provided most of the care.

Sadly, I was going to say rehoming was probably necessary.

That said- if you had a pet in the house, you are going to need some serious deep cleaning. 
I would consider a professional service (not just a "housekeeper" with a vacuum but someone who does commercial level cleaning) to help "reset" the space.  Pet hair, even non-shedding pets, can persist for years after the pet is gone.

I hope you figure something out. This is a tough allergy!

MountainFlower

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #22 on: August 29, 2017, 01:15:48 PM »
I think that one of the keys to get kids to clean is to make it really easy for them.  I've always used a TON of microfiber cleaning clothes to clean everything and to mop the floor then throw it all in the dishwasher.  I probably have around 60 that I've collected over the years (Costco and Walmart automotive aisles).  I've also been against things like swiffer products....until recently.  My kids will clean with them and they are actually kind of small, so they work for kids.  It's cheaper than a cleaning person and it is teaching them to clean.  Maybe not perfect, but it helps.   Also, they work really well for picking up dust...really well.

Also, my kids will rinse and load dishes, but they like dish gloves.  That's only a couple of bucks and helps them use hotter water than their hands can tolerate at this time.  They are 7 and 9. 

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #23 on: August 29, 2017, 03:43:02 PM »
Do you have a pet?
Hi Iowajes,
We no longer have a pet. I was able to get support from my wife to transition the dog out to a relative to help my allergies. My almost 11-year old remains pretty mad about it. She was friends with the dog, even though the adults provided most of the care.

Sadly, I was going to say rehoming was probably necessary.

That said- if you had a pet in the house, you are going to need some serious deep cleaning. 
I would consider a professional service (not just a "housekeeper" with a vacuum but someone who does commercial level cleaning) to help "reset" the space.  Pet hair, even non-shedding pets, can persist for years after the pet is gone.

I hope you figure something out. This is a tough allergy!
Hi Iowajes,
If I get a commercial cleaner, what services will I need to get pet hair out? Some sort of steam cleaning?

BrooklineBiker

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #24 on: August 29, 2017, 03:46:00 PM »
I think that one of the keys to get kids to clean is to make it really easy for them.  I've always used a TON of microfiber cleaning clothes to clean everything and to mop the floor then throw it all in the dishwasher.  I probably have around 60 that I've collected over the years (Costco and Walmart automotive aisles).  I've also been against things like swiffer products....until recently.  My kids will clean with them and they are actually kind of small, so they work for kids.  It's cheaper than a cleaning person and it is teaching them to clean.  Maybe not perfect, but it helps.   Also, they work really well for picking up dust...really well.

Also, my kids will rinse and load dishes, but they like dish gloves.  That's only a couple of bucks and helps them use hotter water than their hands can tolerate at this time.  They are 7 and 9.
Hi Mountain Flower,
Thanks for the tip. We have a Rubbermaid mop that simulates a Swiffer very well while still offering reusability.
I've found vinyl gloves that fit the 11 year old but npot the 5 year old. I'll see if I can inspire use of them.
I'll look into the microfiuber cleaners. I've been using washable cotton shop rags from Home Depot.

Zero Degrees

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #25 on: August 29, 2017, 08:58:05 PM »
I'm sorry you have a non-helpful spouse.  I just wanted to add that a person with a dust allergy should NOT be the one running the vacuum or dusting. You are most likely reacting more because of performing these chores. Is your spouse aware that this is not about you trying to make her be as clean as you want, it's about your health and ability to be a productive human, a good father, a good husband?  If you can enlist your spouse or the 11 year old to at least do these two things, I bet that will cut down on your reactions quite a bit. Bring her to your allergist and let the Doc lay it out for her if need be.

Good Luck. 

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #26 on: August 30, 2017, 01:15:48 PM »
Zero Degrees' idea of going with your wife to the allergist is a great idea on two fronts.  It allows the expert to explain the disease, it's progression if not treated and your exposure minimized daily, and how to realistically tackle cleaning.  She may not believe it's very serious at this point and might, if you've argued much about it in the past, feel it's a sneaky way to get her clean.  Without prying on our part, consider how she was raised and how you as a family have lived all these years with the clutter and dirt.  She may be seriously better at cleanliness than how she was raised and could resent any implication your allergy's existence makes as to how clean she is (especially if she felt humiliated as a child for how her folks kept house).  Or she may simply feel like you're dumping work on her now you're going back to work full-time --- if she's also working full-time, she may resent more being added to her plate.

After the allergist explains everything, you should pick your discussion up by asking her open ended questions like "Given what the doctor said, how do YOU think we should tackle cleaning?".   You'll really need to listen, not just to the answers but also to what emotions might be driving them.  If you work as a couple to fight this disease together as you would high blood pressure or anything else, it'll make finding resolutions easier.  You need to be united for your health's sake and so you together can change how you're raising the children.

Definitely get a service in to deep clean the house to remove all dust and dog hair as it'll make maintenance do-able going forward without making you supremely ill.  Then get a professional in to clean the air ducts (likely a second company) and keep up with replacing the air filter on the HVAC system with quality filters.

katscratch

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #27 on: August 30, 2017, 07:54:57 PM »
Key things that have helped my allergies in the home: (1) all shoes get taken off at the door; this dramatically reduces dirt in the house ( and pollen), (2) swiffer floor regularly, (3) get rid of lots of stuff so floors and furniture are accessible, (4) minimize upholstered furniture...leather or vinyl couch and chairs, (5) have furnace cleaned...previous home owners had a dog and the cleaners found lots of animal hair in side the furnace, (6) replace duct work...this was extreme, but it was 40 years old and insulated with carpet like material that was disintegrating, (7) dirty clothes only go in one's hamper, and (8) allergy proof mattress and pillow covers on your bed.

These things exactly. My dust mite allergy is significant enough to send me to the hospital multiple times in past years for acute asthma attacks that led to bronchospasm.

Controlling the bedroom is usually the biggest factor in minimizing exposure.

NO carpet. NO extra cloth like throw pillows. Memory foam mattress (mites have a much harder time living in the structure of foam) and well-rated covers. Wash frequently (at least weekly for sheets/duvet and I actually use a different pillowcase nightly). Pillows in the dryer on hot every now and then. http://www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com/USA/bedding

When I clean I DO wear a dust mask - either an N95 rated disposable mask for regular cleaning, or a filter mask (from Home Depot) if I'm tackling something like the basement. Damp mopping floors (Swiffer style) daily helps me a lot but I work more than full time so it's not always doable.


I'd actually consider hiring someone to do an overall deep clean of the whole house and the air ducts, so you have a clean slate upon which to build small daily habits - my kiddo loved cleaning the baseboard with baby wipes btw ;)  I didn't want to spend the money when I first bought my house and I regretted it after the fourth time I had symptoms bad enough to cause me to miss work.

Good luck!

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #28 on: August 31, 2017, 08:29:28 AM »
Do you have a pet?
Hi Iowajes,
We no longer have a pet. I was able to get support from my wife to transition the dog out to a relative to help my allergies. My almost 11-year old remains pretty mad about it. She was friends with the dog, even though the adults provided most of the care.

Sadly, I was going to say rehoming was probably necessary.

That said- if you had a pet in the house, you are going to need some serious deep cleaning. 
I would consider a professional service (not just a "housekeeper" with a vacuum but someone who does commercial level cleaning) to help "reset" the space.  Pet hair, even non-shedding pets, can persist for years after the pet is gone.

I hope you figure something out. This is a tough allergy!
Hi Iowajes,
If I get a commercial cleaner, what services will I need to get pet hair out? Some sort of steam cleaning?

I'd want a thorough cleaning of anything fabric.  Any carpet, any curtains.  I think you'd need steam cleaning, but you'd also need commercial strength vacuuming.  Pet hair is persistent.

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Re: Dust Free House on the Cheap?
« Reply #29 on: August 31, 2017, 09:58:57 AM »
Thank you so much for posting this...we just got the results of my five year old daughter's allergy testing and it turns out she has a dust allergy. I'd read and re-read the suggestions here (which largely align with what her doctor said). Thankfully my husband is all in (for now) on helping with the cleaning; I hope that lasts. We'll be spending the long weekend cleaning stuff out of her room...Thank goodness she didn't react to cats or dogs at all, since we do have one cat.

I've been pretty sure for years that I have a dust allergy too, so I'm going to make the same changes in my room and see how it goes. She's been really congested to the point of gagging in the mornings, so I'm really hoping this will alleviate her problems.