Talk with your doctor about tobacco

If you’re hosting guests with allergies - and you have pets - you have a few more things to consider when getting your home guest-ready. No problem!

Dr. Elizabeth Mullans, a board-certi fi ed dermatologist and founder of Uptown Dermatology in Houston, Texas, off ers eight cleaning ti ps to help allergy-proof your home.

1. Bare the fl oors

Carpets and rugs are notorious for collecti ng dust mites, pet dander (dead skin cells that are naturally shed by your pets) and other allergens, which can trigger allergy-sensiti ve guests. Remove rugs and carpeti ng from your guest room as wooden or bare fl oors are easier to clean! 2. Don’t be blind to your blinds

Those window blinds that protect your privacy are also dust magnets in need of regular cleaning and dusti ng. Try mixing equal parts vinegar and Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to a spray bott le of warm water. Spray the blinds unti l they’re fully soaked (make sure you have a towel underneath to catch the drippings!) and then wipe clean. 3. Love your lamp shades

Lampshades are tricky to dust, so they’re oft en skipped over during cleaning. Use a lint roller or packing tape; their sti cky surfaces work faster than a cloth to collect dust on lampshades, d√©cor and other neglected areas. 4. Come clean with your pets

Pet dander, urine and saliva are the main culprit to allergies - not pet hair. The Asthma and Allergy Foundati on of America says pet hair isn’t an allergen, but since dander can sti ck to hair and hide underneath a furry coat, it’s parti ally to blame for allergy misery. A weekly wash and scrub - using warm water and a dander-reducing shampoo - can greatly reduce allergens! 5. Designate pet-free zones

Pet hair can get everywhere, but you can dramati cally reduce these fl y-aways by keeping your pets out of certain areas of the house where your guests will be. This can help keep pet allergens from getti ng into fabrics and rugs all over your home. Be sure to close the doors to guest rooms and install pet fences where appropriate. 6. Defend against dander

Dander can get everywhere and aff ect your allergy-sensiti ve guests. Run your clothes and bedding in the dryer before you wash them to remove pet hair, which carries dander. Before making up the guest room, wash blankets and duvets to make them fresh and dander-free. Consider using a dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic detergent that’s gentle on skin and free of dyes and perfumes, like Arm & Hammer

Sensiti ve Skin Free & Clear detergent. They say “old habits die hard” because people generally use products that have been in the family for generati ons, but what happens once those products start irritati ng the skin? Symptoms of irritati on can include redness, dry skin, burning, or hives. Sensiti ve skin laundry detergents really do get clothes clean. Arm & Hammer Sensiti ve Skin detergent has been extensively evaluated among people who have sensiti ve skin. So, don’t worry, it’s gentle on skin, but will get your laundry clean and fresh. 7. Put out some plants

The American Society of Horti cultural Science and other organizati ons have performed studies that show how indoor plants signifi cantly improve and clean a room’s air quality. Setti ng out plants like aloe, golden pathos and bamboo palm can help fi lter out common volati le organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air; bright fl owers like azaleas, chrysanthemums and peace lilies can do the same. Unfortunately, some fl oral plants can trigger skin reacti ons for those sensiti ve to latex or rubber. 8. Freshen the air

Air purifi ers and fi lters can work wonders in reducing airborne allergens and keeping your surroundings feeling fresh. Purchase air fi lters that have a small-parti cle or HEPA fi lter for your guest room and common areas and start running them a few days before guests arrive for best results.

While these eight ti ps can help, it’s impossible to eliminate all the allergens in your home. Just in case, have some Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Instant Relief on hand to help your guests stay comfortable. Its drug-free formula safely fl ushes out contaminants, quickly relieves congesti on and is safe to use along with their allergy medicati ons. Now, with all your bases covered, you can make your next gathering even happier for you and your guests.