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For the 62 million Americans who suffer from indoor allergies and asthma,the warmth of home may be anything but comforting. Summer air can draw scoresof dust and allergens into heating ducts, curtains, bedding and carpets -- allof which unleash their fury with the first blast of heat from your furnace.
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Now is the time to prepare. Just ask allergy sufferer Finola Hughes,daytime Emmy Award-winning actress who hosts the Style Network's, "How Do ILook?"
"Updating your wardrobe for fall is typically a given, but many peopleoverlook the importance of making changes to their homes for the comingmonths," says Hughes. "For me, allergy-proofing is essential. Otherwise, Ifind that my eyes are constantly itching, I'm sneezing, and even worse, I'moften tired throughout the day."
To allergy-proof your home, Hughes recommends starting with the bedroomsince it's where people spend the majority of their time. She says simple tipslike washing sheets weekly in hot water and removing dust magnets like booksand clutter have made a significant difference in her health as an allergysufferer.
It's also important to keep pets out of the bedroom. According to theAmerican Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, a whopping 100 percent ofU.S. households have detectable levels of dog and cat dander.
Hughes also suggests encasing your pillows and mattresses withallergen-barrier protectors, like Aller-Ease(R) allergen filtration products.Hughes prefers the Aller-Ease brand because it carries products made withcotton fabric, providing cool comfort and breathability while she sleeps,allowing her to feel well-rested and refreshed in the morning.
Backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, Aller-Ease products aredoctor-recommended sleep solutions for allergy and asthma sufferers.Microscopic allergens borne of dust mites, mold, pet dander, pollen and fungalspores are no match for the state-of-art allergen barrier technology andsoftness of Aller-Ease products.
"Aller-Ease products help me forget I'm an allergy sufferer and insteadfocus on my career and most importantly, my family," says Hughes. "Whileallergy-proofing benefits me, I do it because it benefits my family too. Theirhealth and comfort always takes precedence in my life."
In addition to her tips for allergy-proofing the bedroom, Hughes offersthese simple, yet, effective tips to keep allergens in check throughout yourhome:
-- Substitute blinds or shades, which can be cleaned regularly, in placeof draperies or curtains
-- Change filters for heating and air conditioning monthly
-- Crank up the air conditioning on warm days since the units filterincoming air and dehumidify the home
-- Bathe pets weekly to minimize the spread of dander
-- Sanitize the bathroom and kitchen to rid them of mold and build-up thatcan trap contaminants
"Allergy-proofing your home this fall isn't a chore," says Hughes. "It'ssimple! Don't hesitate to make these tips your own. Give allergy-proofing yourown signature style. Experiment and see what works best for you and yourfamily."
Aller-Ease products include protectors for both pillows and mattresses(Aller-Ease Classic, Aller-Ease Microfiber, Aller-Ease Cotton and Aller-EaseDeluxe) as well as bed pillows (Aller-Ease Cotton and Aller-Ease Deluxe).Aller-Ease products are sold at leading retailers throughout the country.Learn more about Aller-Ease and allergy-proofing by visitingwww.aller-ease.com.
About American Textile Company
American Textile Company is the leading supplier of quality mattress andpillow protectors, bed pillows and mattress pads to large and sma
