In a section dedicated to ‘Struggling Supermoms,’ WebMD put together a slideshow highlighting 10 Hidden Allergy Hotspots in Your Home.

When maintaining your allergen avoidance routine, it’s a good idea to keep the following hotspots in mind and give them the attention they need in order to minimize exposure to allergens.

• Potted plants: Mold can grow easily in potted plants and spread to the floor. Make sure to remove dead leaves, use saucers to protect flooring, and avoid over-watering.
• Pets’ favorite spots: Pet dander, among the lightest of all allergens, floats in the air and also clings to carpets, furniture, and bedding. While keeping pets out of the bedroom is helpful, airflow nevertheless carries pet dander all over your house. Vacuum frequently and instruct family and friends to wash their hands after playing with the pets.
• Carpeting: Both carpeting and area rugs become hotbeds for dust mites, who feed on the particles within them. Vacuum with a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter. If possible, remove unnecessary carpeting.
• Books: Don’t neglect to vacuum your books, which are a notorious but often overlooked dust magnet. They can also harbor mold spores and booklice.
• Upholstered furniture: Vacuum furniture regularly, and consider leather or vinyl surfaces, which lessen the presence of allergens. Use a dehumidifier for furniture stored in damp rooms, such as the basement, in order to reduce mold issues.
• Bedding: Skin cells left behind in mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding are a tasty treat for dust mites. Cover mattresses, box springs, and pillows with allergy bedding, and wash sheets regularly.
• Stuffed animals: Children allergic to dust mites could be reacting to their stuffed friends. Buy machine-washable ones, and wash them in hot water once a week. Or, you can place them in the freezer or the dryer.
• Bathrooms: Do your best to keep your bathroom clean and dry. Open windows when possible, and use smart bathroom fans. Bathrooms are favorite spots for mold spores because they are warm and wet. For unventilated bathrooms, dehumidifiers are a good idea.
• Kitchen: The kitchen is another favorite hiding spot for mold. Standing water, old food, and cockroaches are all potential allergen sources.
• Air conditioning units: Although air conditioning is helpful in keeping the air cool and dry, which helps fight allergens, sometimes the units themselves can pose problems. For instance, dust and mold can collect on the coils and be blown into your home’s air. Be sure to install quality filters and change them regularly.