HEALTH Y
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
Indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pests and mold can increase from a lack of cleanliness. Weiner says. Most indoor allergens cause the same symptoms, such as sneezing, itching and a runny nose.Mold spores, which can develop in refrigerators or old stacks of newspaper or magazines, can line your nose and cause itching, a runny nose and fatigue, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.In extreme cases, mold spores can reach the lungs, causing asthma.
Although allergies won't cause any major health problems, combined with a spring cold, they could increase a person's susceptibility to other illnesses, says Weiner, the allergy specialist.
So what can you do to make sure you're not sharing your home with insects and allergens?
The best way to help control allergens like dust mites, Weiner says, is to remember to change your home's air filter and do whatever you can to reduce humidity, which means keeping wet towels off the floor and tossing all the empty beer bottles.
Amyx, the pest consultant, recommends getting rid of old boxes and putting an inch-long chunk or a flea collar in the bag of your vacuum cleaner to
"it's another little trick that's got enough pesticide to kill insect eggs," Amyx says.
Jeff Campbell, author of several books on cleaning, including Spring Cleaning, says the traditional spring clean has nothing to do with spring but rather to do with the needs of each individual.
kill any insect eggs it sucks up.
Two particular problem areas for college students are the refrigerator and the area where the garbage is stored, he says."Especially when you have roommates, nobody takes anything out of the refrigerator," Campbell says. "There's a health issue there. Somebody should throw away everything that's been in there all month."
There are no magic cleaning products that people need for hard-core cleaning, but Campbell recommends avoiding antibacterial products that kill weak bacteria while creating a breeding ground for resistant bacteria strains. Also, most college students should invest in a new vacuum instead of using an old one, which might actually spit out more dirt and dust than it collects, Campbell says
And if vacuuming isn't your forte, at least dump the trash on a regular basis and dust once in a while. You'll help eliminate pest and allergens, and you'll improve your health.
SOMETIMES, IT'S GOOD TO SUCK
Getting the right vacuum will help keep the air clean in your home and improve the longevity of your carpet. But with vacuums, high-tech isn't always best, says Steve Pinegar, owner of Lawrence Vacuum and Sewing Center, Inc., 1449 W. $23^{\text{rd}}$ St.
something you would see on That '70s Show.
"The best stuff is the prehistoric-looking stuff," Pinegar says. That means vacuumums that are made of metal and probably look like
Pinegar recommends buying these vacuums because they're powerful, durable and perform a single purpose.Vacuums that include both a floor vent and a hose don't work as well, he says."The lowest price single-purpose will out-perform the most expensive dual purpose,"Pinegar says.
Here's a look at a few vacuums that have earned Pinegar's approval:
42
16➤ JAYPLAY 04.20.2006