Wood blinds easy to clean, help prevent allergies

Although one's home should be a sanctuary, the amount of dust that can accumulate can make it a nightmare for some allergy sufferers, as dust may collect anywhere such as in area rugs and the upholstery on couches.

By decorating and cleaning one's house correctly, however, homeowners may find respite from sneezing and watery eyes.

According to Deseret News, installing wood blinds or shutters for a window treatment may reduce an allergy attack because they can be cleaned more easily than draperies - the blinds never require dry cleaning, they can simply be wiped clean.

Experts suggest to HGTV.com that while a small amount of water can be used when cleaning wood blinds, homeowners should not soak the window treatments. And, unlike aluminum blinds, wood blinds should not be removed from the window to be cleaned.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that approximately 20 million Americans have a dust mite allergy and according to the Akron Beacon Journal, due a warm spring, this year has been especially bad for seasonal allergies as well.

"It's been a pretty intense season," Dr. Ravi Karnani told the news source.