8 Hypoallergenic Household Items You Need Today
Keeping your allergies at bay can be a challenge when it feels like everything in life is working to aggravate them. And while it may seem like you’re the only one you know who suffers from severe allergies each year, 50 million other people are right there with you sneezing, coughing, and feeling less than 100%.
As someone living with allergies, you’ve likely made strides to reduce your symptoms significantly already. However, our team at Merry Maids® wants to offer up a few more hypoallergenic household items that could further aid in your quest to live an allergy-free life.
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
Many people assume items with the “hypoallergenic” moniker innately mean they’re void of allergens. Contrary to this belief, when something proclaims a hypoallergenic status, it actually means that the item has less than the normal number of allergens. You can’t always trust a brand, even when it says it’s void of allergens. You may still be allergic to a material used in a particular product that a brand doesn’t deem allergy-causing.
In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate the term “hypoallergenic,” so brands can label items as such without FDA approval. Because you never truly know if products contain allergy-inducing chemicals, ask a dermatologist or a board-certified medical professional for recommendations on brands that don’t cause allergic flare-ups.
1. Cleaning Products
Various cleaning products claim they’re organic or hypoallergenic yet still contain harsh chemicals that most people can barely pronounce. Some of the best cleaning products for allergies are pure and, in most cases, edible. Items like salt, lemon juice, baking soda, distilled white vinegar, water, and more are ideal cleaners to disinfect and reduce allergens. Plus, they’re probably sitting in your pantry right now, so you’re saving time and money.
2. Plants
All allergy sufferers know that changing their surroundings doesn’t always do much to change the severity of allergies. Pollen and dust tend to be the main culprits when allergies flare up. Still, allergy-friendly plants don’t have to be artificial. You can incorporate lively, vibrant indoor plants that reduce allergies and help cleanse the air. The Lady Palm, Peace Lily, and The Areca Palm are versatile and air-purifying and keep the air inside your home moist when living in dryer climates.
3. Domesticated Animals
Various domesticated cats and dogs get the “hypoallergenic” designation because they’re either hairless or shed very little hair.
Animals known to reduce allergic reactions include:
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Siberian Cat
Cornish Rex
Syrian Hamster
Ferret
Parakeet
Unfortunately, you can still be allergic to urine, pet dander, or saliva, which is why The National Allergy & ENT assures that there are no guarantees when it comes to having a supposed hypoallergenic pet. Don’t be so quick to trust someone if they tell you your new hairless pet won’t exacerbate allergic reactions. We always recommend doing careful research regarding any animals before bringing them into your home.
4. Clothing
When someone mentions hypoallergenic clothing, they’re usually referring to materials such as cotton made with minimal or zero dyes, pesticides, and chemicals. Brands like Pact, The Eczema Company, and Cottonique make clothing for people living with sensitive skin conditions and those with concerns about protecting the environment.
5. Makeup
Suppose you love wearing makeup and want to hide blemishes and hyperpigmentation, but also have extremely sensitive skin. In that case, it’s time to try hypoallergenic cosmetics to avoid rashes, dryness, redness, and itching. Our team recommends products such as Dermablend setting spray, bareMinerals foundation, Glo Skin Beauty contour kit, Almay mascara, and VMV Hypoallergenics lipstick. Remember, a dermatologist is your best source for information about makeup brands that are gentler for your skin or less triggering for allergy sufferers.
6. Mattress Protector
Mattress protectors are designed to keep the mattress from being soiled with various liquids and oils and preserve its function longer. With most people having worked from home for the better part of 2020, beds became places to sleep, eat, and conquer the day. This also meant that those with skin sensitivity probably had more outbreaks than normal. Hypoallergenic mattress protectors like SafeRest and Lucid are waterproof, durable, and free of skin irritants.
7. Towels
Have you heard of bamboo viscose? If not, allow us to introduce you to a cotton alternative ideal for people with sensitive skin or recurring allergies to certain fabrics. Bamboo towels are processed sans heavy chemicals and are certified non-toxic and organic. According to researchers who’ve studied bamboo viscose, it’s maintained germ-fighting and antimicrobial properties even after over 50 washes. For those looking for towels that won’t fray after a few laundry loads and will still help you avoid allergic reactions, try bamboo towels and tell us what you think.
8. Air Purifier
If you thought tangible items were the only things you had to worry about causing allergic reactions, you’ll be shocked to hear that even the air inside your home could make you under the weather. Fortunately, air purifiers exist and can cleanse up to 99.9% of mold spores, chemicals, germs, pet dander, dust, odors, and other aeroallergens.
Some things to consider before purchasing an air purifier include:
Price – Obviously, you’ll want to know the price of the air purifier you’re purchasing to ensure it’s within your budget. Remember, just because a product is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.
Filters – Are the filters sold separately, or do they come with the purifier? This is important to consider if you have to change the filter frequently.
EPA rating – The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® program is designed to help consumers select cost-saving and environmentally friendly products. You’ll want to look for the ENERGY STAR rating for any air purifier you’re thinking of buying.
Target pollutants – If you have a specific airborne allergy, you’ll want to purchase a machine that filters out the exact contaminants that aggravate sensitivities.
Room size – Most machines can accommodate specific room sizes and will indicate that on the box. Calculate the square footage of your room by multiplying the length and width for an air purifier that can manage accordingly.
A Clean and Fresh Home Is a Happy Home
Severe allergic reactions are no joke, so incorporating hypoallergenic and organic products into your routine could save your life. Our team cares so much about your family that we have a green cleaning program intended to clean without using harsh store-bought chemicals to sanitize your space. We utilize proprietary products, including our Merry Maids Essentials™ line and industrial-grade equipment, that reduce allergies and are Safer Choice® approved.
Allow us to exceed your home’s cleanliness standards by calling (888) 490-4227 or requesting a free cleaning estimate today.
