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NTM in House Dust - suggestions for minimizing exposure
Years ago, while living in Woodstock, New York, I decided to leave the health field for a while and do something creative. I became a home stager. If you have ever watched HGTV you know what I’m talking about. I helped people prepare their homes for sale and loved it! Once the home was decluttered, some of my clients would jokingly tell me that their home felt so spacious and inviting that they no longer wanted to move!
So why not create that cozy and clean feeling for everyday living? Why not create space for better breathing, fewer cleaning chores and more creative thinking? Because whether we realize it or not, how we live impacts our health physically, mentally and emotionally.
Let’s get started with some tips:
The first step might be to remove area carpets and drapery. Not all of them, but rather those you can live without. Replace drapery with easy-to-clean blinds. This simple step will reduce dust that can cause lung infections (see research link below) and you will have more light.
Pare down your bookshelves. If you are not going to reread or refer to your books, think about donating them to a used bookstore or library. One of my dustiest jobs as a home stager was packing up a clients’ books. At the time I didn’t know I had bronchiectasis and I am sure that the many dusty jobs I did unmasked, were not good for me.
Once the largest tasks are completed, label bags DONATE and GARBAGE. Then, go through a couple of drawers every day and decide whether you want to keep, donate or throw away items.
Look around each room to see if there is unnecessary furniture and remove it. Rearrange the rooms so that they are more functional and pleasing.
Now that so much has been removed, it’s time for a deep cleaning. If you can afford to have cleaning help - great. If you are doing the cleaning, wear a mask and don’t get overtired. Do a little each day.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20434494/Happy 2023,
Linda Esposito
#declutter #maclungdisease #ntmlungdisease #nodust #bronchiectasis #copd #covid
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And once it's all nice and clean, there are many ways to keep it that way.
Here are tips from the allergist who treated my daughter for years.
- Use washable bed covers (bedspread, quilt or duvet) & wash regularly.
- Get rid of "dust catchers" - throw pillows, doilies, stuffed animals - or make sure they are washable & wash regularly.
- When replacing furniture, consider leather, vinyl or microfiber and vacuum when you clean house
- Make sure your clothes dryer is vented outdoors to keep from spraying dust into your house.
- Get your furnace ducts thoroughly cleaned. Change furnace filters as recommended, using the highest efficiency ones for your furnace. The same with air conditioners, whether central or portable units.
- Vacuum, with a HEPA filtered machine, don't dust. Use all the tools at your disposal, including brushes and wands. Reach up & vacuum the tops of doors & windows, fan blades, corners, vents, down and vacuum baseboards. Clean or replace the filters as recommended.
- Use a HEPA air purifier, either portable of whole house. Change the filters as recommended.
- My least favorite - keep your windows closed as much as possible.
Sue
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9 ReactionsWow this is excellent Sue! Would you mind if I shared it or some of it on social media? I can reference “Sue from Mayo Connect.” I agree with you about keeping windows closed. I live in a New York City apartment and we prefer to leave our windows open whenever possible for air circulation, cooking smells, etc. However, I know it creates dust.
Sure, you are welcome to share - with or without my name.
I forgot one more - keep your car & car air filters clean and the windows closed.
Sue
Thank you! Have you ever changed your car air conditioning filters? I guess that’s done when we do a maintenance… Not sure. I’ve always thought about that as a potential source… Thank you again, Linda
I have bronchiectasis and agree with many of these suggestions. Yes to fewer carpets, shades instead of drapes, washable bedding. However, would like more discussion about keeping windows open or not. We have Molecule air purifiers in our two bedroom condo, we get the best air readings when we leave the window open at night. also am currently wondering about the pluses and minuses of houseplants as I have been diagnosed with pseudonomas.
I often have a window open and have a couple of houseplants. Having fresh air and a little greenery in my home are important to me. I have a personal rule to eliminate sources of NTM but not to the point I feel overly controlled. Having a “zen attitude” towards my disease is always a challenge. Fortunately, I enjoy challenges.:)
Linda Esposito
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7 ReactionsI have houseplants, open my windows, don't boil & put ice in my drinks, socialize & eat out.
I eat healthy, take my necessary meds, exercise & rest, do airway clearance, keep my home clean, sterilize my equipment, stay away from sick people...
I'm just like Linda, there's caution and there's paranoia. There's living with Bronchiectasis and MAC and there's being controlled by these conditions. I'd rather live cautiously and fully until I'm 80 than take every single precaution and live in fear & be isolated until I'm 85.
Each of us must make their personal decision.
Sue
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13 ReactionsThank you. How do you sterilize your equipment?
I'm old school. Sauce pan, round silicon mat in bottom to protect equipment. Tap water, boil 10-12 min and let cool in pot. Dry on a clean paper towel.
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2 ReactionsThank you for this very helpful information.