Try this simple test to see if your air conditioner is harboring an
asthma trigger like mould:
- Switch off your air conditioner for half a day.
- After, that switch it on again and smell the air blown from it.
- If you detect a distinct musty or stale smell in the blow air,
there could be mould inside the appliance.
Reducing Asthma triggers in your home:
Dust, dirt and moisture encourage the growth or accumulation of
asthma triggers like mould, mildew, dust mites and insects parts. Some
steps to reduce them are:
- Clean and dry all surfaces in your home regularly.
- Do not allow water to stagnate in any area.
- Dry your laundry in a well ventilated area.
- Clean your air conditioner filter and cooling coil regularly.
- Spray your air conditioner coil and fan blades with a mould
inhibitor.
- Wash mattresses, pillows and other beddings regularly.
- Avoid keeping stuffed animals in beds.
- Clean carpets and furnishings regularly.
- Use an air purifier to remove airborne mould spores.
- Use a dehumidifier in damp places.
Creating an 'Allergy Asthma - Friendly Home'
-
Encase all bedding with allergen-proof encasings. Wash these
encasings every 2-3 months in 60C hot water to remove dust mites
which accumulate on the outer surface. Otherwise, treat them with an
anti-mite solution to provide a protective coating lasting up to 3
months, and only wash the encasings in 4-6 months.
-
Most anti-mite mattresses use a chemical coating to reduce mite
growth. This coating wears out ni approximately 6 months. Then,
these anti-mite mattresses need to be encased with allergen-proof
covers to keep them mite-proof in the long run.
-
Wash normal mattress covers, pillow cases and blankets in hot
water 60C every two weeks. If no hot-water washing machine is
available, use anti-dust mite laundry solutions for normal cold
wash.
-
Remove carpeting and fabric rugs. Alternatively, wash carpets
and rugs at every 2 weeks or treat with anti-mite solutions to
prevent mite growth for up to 3 months.
-
Use a powerful HEPA air purifier to remove airborne allergens
including bacteria, dust mites, mould from air conditioner systems,
cockroach droppings, grass pollen etc.
-
Use Venetian blinds or window shades. Otherwise, machine-wash
them at 60C. Wash every 2 weeks or treat with an anti-mite solution
to prevent mites for up to 3 months.
-
Air-condition or dehumidify the room to 50% humidity or less, to
discourage mite and mould growth. Fit special filters to air
conditioners, to capture the micro particles (mould and bacteria).
Wash regular aircon filters weekly. Apply anti-mould treatments to
the blower and coolant coil of the aircon to reduce mould and
bacteria build-up.
-
Wet mopping minimizes dust uplift when cleaning, and should be
done every 2-3 days. Do not sweep as it stirs up a lot of dust
particles. Instead, use a HEPA allergy-friendly vacuum cleaner for
capturing the dust between wet mopping cycles.
-
Keep books and decorative items in closed cupboards to reduce
'pockets of dust'.
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Minimize soft furnishings. Wood, leather, plastic or vinyl
furniture is best to reduce mite growth.
-
Wipe open surfaces every other day with special dust grabber
cloth or a wet cloth, to minimize dust uplift.
-
Wash soft toys every 2 weeks at 60C. Otherwise, put them in
plastic bags and place in freezer overnight to kill the dust mite.
Then vacuum them out the following day.
-
Ideally keep your pet out of the house, but definitely out of
the bedroom.
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Limit household plants to reduce mould build-up, avoid plants in
bedrooms.