It’s National Asthma Week: How to create a healthy home coming into spring

01 Sep 2022

Do you know how to create a healthy home that combats asthma? National Asthma Week (NAW) is this week from 1-7 September 2022. NAW are working to highlight the prevalence of asthma, and the steps we can take to reduce allergens in and around our homes.

In the living room:

Furniture, curtains and flooring can harbour all sorts of triggers, from dust mites to pet dander. Look for products that are easy to clean or have anti-microbial properties.

When cleaning the living areas of your home such as carpets and soft furnishings, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. For hard floors like timber or tiles, use a damp or electrostatic cloth or steam mop.

In the bedroom:

Two of the most common asthma and allergy triggers to look out for in your bedroom are dust mites and mould. Reducing indoor humidity can help to reduce these allergens.

In the kitchen:

A clean and hygienic kitchen environment is important for maintaining a healthy home. Look for sensitive cleaning products with fewer harsh chemicals and no fragrances.

Keep an eye out for mould which is commonly found in wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms and make sure to clean it thoroughly. You can treat mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Also, good air flow in the kitchen is really important.

Sensitive Choice® is an initiative of the National Asthma Council to help those with asthma and allergy sufferers make better lifestyle choices that may help them manage their condition more effectively.

The programme is focused on companies that are committed to reducing asthma and allergy triggers. Products are reviewed through Sensitive Choice New Zealand's formal review process in conjunction with the National Asthma Council. If accepted, the butterfly symbol is awarded. You will see the butterfly appearing in retail outlets and online.

Over 600,000 kiwis and even more Australians are affected by asthma so even if you don’t suffer from asthma, chances are you know someone who does. The key to living with asthma and allergies is having good self-management of the condition, so that it doesn’t impact on quality of life.

The Sensitive Choice logo is designed to make asthma and allergy sufferers stop and think:

• Do I know my triggers?
• Am I taking steps to reduce my exposure to my triggers?
• Have I had an asthma and allergy review with my doctor recently?
• Do I follow my asthma or allergy action plan?

A range of Resene products have Sensitive Choice approval – check out the options here: Resene paints with reduced asthma, allergy triggers | Sensitive Choice®

Published: 01 Sep 2022