Beware of dust bunnies

Asthma educator offers tips for spring cleaning

The coat closet is a mountain of shoes, scarves and book bags. The dust bunnies are nearly full-grown, and you haven't been able to park the car in the garage for months. It's time for spring cleaning.

This seasonal overhaul is a chore for most of us, but there's a good chance nobody dreads spring cleaning more than a child with asthma. Sharon Lemley, an asthma educator at Children's Medical Center, says if there's a child with asthma in the house, it's important to take special precautions before you let the dust fly.

"Be aware that chemicals in cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack," says Lemley. "Read labels and do your homework to find detergents that aren't irritating."

Lemley says it's best to remove a child with asthma from the environment before episodes of prolonged or thorough cleaning. However, her advice to parents with kids with asthma is to do a little bit of cleaning everyday.

• Use a HEPA filter in the vacuum cleaner
• Damp dust weekly, and wear a dust mask if you're allergic to dust
• Buy washable curtains, throws and pillow covers, and clean them regularly
• Minimize clutter
• Use dust mite-proof pillow covers
• Cover floors with washable rugs instead of carpeting, if possible

For more information about asthma, visit www.childrens.com.

Tags: health