Household Cleaning Solutions

May 25, 2000

With over 30 years of nursing experience, Ms. Gibbons has a wealth of knowledge about asthma and allergy products. She currently works as gazoontite.com's online nurse and also reviews educational information and products for the company.

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Gazoontite.com: Hello and welcome to gazoontite.com's solutions chat with Carlene Gibbons, R.N. With over 30 years of nursing experience, Ms. Gibbons has a wealth of knowledge about asthma and allergies. As gazoontite.com's online nurse, she regularly reviews educational information and new products. Ask Ms. Gibbons about ways to keep your home a clean, safe place to breathe. Welcome, Ms. Gibbons!

Carlene Gibbons, R.N.: Hi! I'm Carlene, the nurse at Gazoontite.com, and I'm here to answer your questions about healthy cleaning products and how they relate to asthma, allergies, and better-breathing concerns.

Sigmagirl: Ms. Gibbons, how do you recommend that I clean my bathroom to ensure that it stays mold free? How often should I clean?

Carlene Gibbons, R.N.: Cleaning at least on a weekly basis is recommended, using non-toxic cleaners for removal of mold and to try to prevent its growth. Using some other simple steps, such as exhaust fans that take moist air out, may also help to reduce humidity in a bathroom. Keeping bathroom surfaces wiped and dry in between weekly cleanings is helpful as well.

Cleokitty: What laundry detergent do you recommend? I've heard that some can give you allergies or cause you to break out.

Carlene Gibbons, R.N.: Using an unscented or hypoallergenic laundry detergent is recommended. By the way, weekly washing of bedding in hot water (at least 130 degrees) is recommended for reducing exposure to dust mites and other allergens. It is recommended NOT to use fabric softener, and especially not to use fabric softener dryer sheets. A hypoallergenic laundry cleaner can be found on our web site under the store option, as well as household cleaning products.

CoffeeBean: So you must wash in hot sometimes? Doesn't a hot dryer reduce the dust mites and other allergens?

Carlene Gibbons, R.N.: A hot air dryer will help to reduce dust mites. The hot, dry air actually kills dust mites. However, washing is necessary to actually wash out and reduce the dust mite allergen, which is actually dust mite waste or excrement. The Allersearch Allergen Wash can be used to wash items that can not be washed in hot water, and it will help to reduce the dust mite allergen.

StacieJ1: What is the reason for no fabric softener and especially no dryer sheets?

Carlene Gibbons, R.N.: That's a good question! Fabric softener and fabric softener dryer sheets can leave a residue on fabrics that can be irritating to sensitive or allergic skin. Scented fabric softeners can trigger allergy symptoms and asthma symptoms.

Perishable: What are the advantages of Gazoontite's natural cotton throw blanket over regular cotton? I have a child with allergies and want to know how this will help.

Carlene Gibbons, R.N.: The cotton blanket you ask about is in our 'feel better' category of products. Our products are hypo- allergenic, meaning they have been produced and manufactured without the use of formaldehyde or other chemicals that can create a problem for people with allergies, especially those with sensitive skin. We also know that our 100 percent cotton products are washable in hot water and dryable in a hot air dryer.

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