Leave Bedroom Allergens High and Dry Th...( Procter & Gamble Partners With Asthm...),Health

Procter & Gamble Partners With Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America To

Combat Allergens in the Bedroom

CINCINNATI, April 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- This spring, Procter & Gamble is partnering with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to educate consumers about combating indoor allergens by honing in on the area where Americans spend one third of their lives: the bedroom.

"Many people overlook the bedroom as a significant problem area for indoor allergens," said Mike Tringale, director of external affairs at AAFA. "Many allergens hide inside pillows and bedding as well as on curtains, the walls and on electronics like your alarm clock. Your bedroom can be a hot spot for allergens and it's important to know the proper tools and techniques to help you combat them effectively."

The AAFA has offered the following tips to help reduce allergens in the bedroom this season:

Beds and Bedding: Use only washable materials on the bed. Look for special mite-proof bedding and encasements. Wash bedding, pillows and stuffed toys weekly in hot water (130 degrees F). In between washing, consider spraying comforters, bedding and other soft surfaces with Febreze Allergen Reducer(R) Fabric Refresher, which reduces up to 75 percent of allergens from cats, dogs, and dust mites that may become airborne.

Air Control: Keep humidity levels at 50 percent or lower by using a room air filter or dehumidifier. This will significantly help reduce the levels of allergens in the air as dust mites need high humidity to live and grow. Take special care to clean air conditioners and humidifiers frequently with a weak bleach solution (one cup bleach in one gallon water) to prevent mold growth.

"Dust Magnets": The less furniture and decorative material in the room, the better. Stacks of magazines, fancy artwork, bookcases and window draperies are considered ideal locations for dust mites. If such decorations are a mu
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