On a daily basis, we are asked questions by allergy sufferers, consumers, and fans of our web site about allergen avoidance and environmental control. We also hear interesting anecdotes about the remedies that work for some people. Some of these allergy sufferers are in such distress, because of their allergy symptoms, that they go to extreme measures to feel good and to breathe better.

The following is an excerpt from an e-mail received by one of our staff that gives some advice on using the cold winter temperatures to control dust mites. Positive results can be obtained from freezing items that cannot be washed. The text is a little long, but it could be very beneficial for someone suffering every night with allergy symptoms:

“I enjoyed reading your web site describing products to try and control Dust Mites. The site suggests you can kill Dust Mites by placing stuffed toys and other items in the freezer over night. In the next sentence, it says that beds are too large. Obviously that is very true, but here in Canada, I've had amazing success by placing the queen size mattress out on the deck or apartment balcony when temperatures are far below freezing. Much of Northeast United States is cold enough and in the Mountain, Prairie States conditions are perfect to do this during the cold winter months.

I slide and carry the mattress to the balcony (deck) and leave it laying on its edge outside. After 3-4 hours, using a plastic baseball bat to loosen the Dust Mite colonies, I swat it quite a few times on both sides. The first time I did that to a very good mattress the white powder flying in the cold wind was astonishing. Then if there is room, I lay it flat or even vacuum it while outside with the beater bar attachment on 1 side then flip it over to do the other side. I leave the mattress out for another hour and bring it inside.

While the mattress was outside, I washed the bedding and the pillows—two at a time to balance the washer during the spin cycle. Using cold water and a little bleach, I'm quite sure the Dust Mites couldn't survive the bleach and laundry soap together. I have a clothes line and hang the sheets, mattress cover, pillow covers, and bed spread out on a sunny, windy cold day to dry them almost completely. Then, I put them into the drier for a few minutes to dry and warm them, too.

The difference is astonishing. I used to get rushed to the emergency room either by my wife or by ambulance (twice!) as I woke up gasping from an asthma attack. I went to bed feeling fine. Sometimes, I was using my rescue inhaler too often after going to bed. Yes, the room was spotless and so was the house actually. After freezing the Dust Mites my breathing was so much better. No comparison.

Please, tell young parents this trick. Their mattresses spread the Dust Mite protein throughout the house as soon as the furnace comes on in the winter. Place mattress outside and the difference is astonishing. Also, this method gets rid of cold germs, skin conditions like eczema, and improves air quality in the home as well.”

Please check out the links in this article for more information on our web site about dust mites and dust mite control. To some readers, this story might seem ridiculous, but it illustrates how crippling allergy sympstoms can be and the measures that people have to take to breathe better and have a better quality of life.

Miele’s team of engineers continues to search for ways to make their vacuum cleaners more efficient and more effective for allergy sufferers. We are now carrying new HyClean G/N dust bags for the Miele S5 canister vacuums. Our selection of Miele upright vacuum cleaners already come with the new HyClean dust bags, and in the coming months we will transition all of our Miele's over to the new HyClean dust bag. We have had very positive feedback from our customers about these innovative dust bags.

The HyClean G/N dust bags come with a 4.76 quart capacity that allows for longer use. The engineering improvements come inside the bag. Air flow guides work with the bigger volume bags to increase the dust storage capacity by up to 25%.

These dust bags are constructed with an extra netting sewn into the exterior as added protection against the dust bag bursting. Also, nine durable layers of fabric are wedded together to prevent sharp objects from penetrating the bag and causing dust to spill into the air.

All of the HyClean dust bags have a spring-loaded, self-sealing collar that is color coded to prevent purchasing the wrong dust bags for your vacuum cleaner. The collar closes automatically before being removed from the vacuum. This prevents the harmful dust and allergens that you just cleaned up from escaping back into the air of your home.

Click Miele to check out our entire line of allergy relief Miele vacuum cleaners and accessories. Information about the HyClean G/N bags is available on any of the S5 pages of AchooAllergy.com.

Can an activity that seems like second nature really do more harm than good? We all blow our noses when we have colds or sinus infections. Tissues even come with aloe to keep your nose from drying out from too much blowing. However, blowing your nose might do more harm than good when you are battling a cold.

According to a recent New York Times article by Anahad O’Connor, researchers at the University of Virginia conducted CT scans as patients coughed, sneezed, and blew their noses. Coughing and sneezing, the natural body functions that dispel bacteria and viruses, generated no increased pressure in the sinus cavities. On the other hand, a person blowing their nose actually propelled mucus into the sinus cavity every time.

One age-old remedy that we recommend trying to alleviate sinus build up and stuffy noses is nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation is a drug-free and inexpensive way to cleanse your nasal passages, feel better, and breathe better.

During the month of February, our most popular allergy relief bedding, Allergy Armor Ultra, will be on sale for 20 % off. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to control your bedroom environment with this revolutionary product.

Luxurious and breathable, Allergy Armor™ Ultra is our highest quality allergy relief bedding. For those who demand the ultimate in comfort and who seek protection from dust mites, mold, and pet dander, Ultra is the only choice for pillow encasings, mattress covers, and duvet covers. A unique finishing process shrinks the fabric's pores to the smallest size in the industry. The small pore size effectively blocks out even the smallest allergens, like cat dander, without compromising comfort. Best of all, Ultra provides lasting allergy relief and comes with a lifetime warranty on the zippers and the seams.

To check out our selection, click Ultra. Go to Ultra Bedding Packages to find out more information on the fabric and our vinyl box spring encasings.

Babies are constantly putting things in their mouthes. In classes for raising newborns, nurses and teachers always talk about checking your floors to make sure there is nothing that the child can fit into their mouth and choke on. Choking is a big concern, but some parents also are determined to raise their kids in an ultraclean environment. By not allowing children to get a little dirty, these parents might be preventing them from developing their immune systems to respond to allergies, asthma, and other autoimmune diseases.

“What a child is doing when he puts things in his mouth is allowing his immune response to explore his environment,” writes Mary Ruebush, a microbiology and immunology instructor, in her new book, “Why Dirt is Good”. “Not only does this allow for ‘practice’ of immune responses, which will be necessary for protection, but it also plays a critical role in teaching the immature immune response what is best ignored.”

In this article in the New York Times, writer Jane Brody talks about some of the advantages that a little dirt can have for children. She also examines a couple of different scientific studies that are looking at dirt’s benefits to our immune systems. Her conventional wisdom seems to be that washing with soap is still pretty good, but you also can let children run around outside barefoot. You might be helping their immune system in the long run.

Until the end of March, you have the opportunity to find a deal on our web site on certain models of Blueair Air Purifiers. For the prices on all of our Blueair models, please check out our offering on our Blueair Air Purifiers page.

The specially designed Blueair filter combines two highly effective forms of air cleaning: mechanical filtration and electrostatic filtration. The mechanical filter is made of non-toxic polypropylene. The filter is less dense than standard HEPA filters. Additionally, a carbon layer in the HEPASilent™ filter adsorbs smaller particles and chemicals.

Are you unsure if you need an air purifier? Need some advice or help? Our air purifier buying guide is a great place to start. One of my favorites in the Blueair line is the Blueair 250E Digital. It is a very quiet unit that comes with a convenient remote control. Click here to check out the Blueair 250E.