(ARA) ­ An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. In addition to outdoor air filled with pollens and molds, allergy sufferers are confronted with allergy triggers within the home. Now is the time to take steps to create a relaxing and allergy-free sanctuary in your home, and the best place to start is the bedroom.

The bedroom is especially susceptible to becoming a dangerous place for allergy sufferers. What should be a relaxing oasis can become an allergy sufferer’s nightmare for many reasons. For instance, we all sweat when we sleep. In fact, every night a person loses one pint of body moisture in addition to shedding millions of dead skin cells. This creates an ideal breeding ground for dust mites and other bacteria -- major causes of asthma, eczema and allergies.

There are things you can do to keep your bedroom the relaxation center of your home. Implementing these simple tips will go a long way toward reducing the causes of allergies and other health problems in the bedroom:

Sleep Tight All Night

We spend up to a third of our lives in bed, and although sheets can be washed, mattresses and pillows are not as easy to clean. Limit the amount of allergens that can collect on them by using mattress and pillow protectors.

Look for bedding protectors are breathable fabric barriers that are waterproof, washable and have a 100 percent natural cotton surface that are hypoallergenic. so they are guaranteed to not only be quiet, but also cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Avoid using or handing down old, possibly dust mite-infested mattresses or bedding to other family members, especially children. Reusing a mattress may seem like a good idea to save money, but mattresses that have not been properly cared for are breeding grounds for allergy triggers and can be passed from one household to the next.

Fresh and Squeaky Clean

Be sure to wash your bed linens weekly at a temperature above 130 F or 54 C. Washing your linens in a hot temperature will kill dust mites and rid your bedding of other contaminants. Finish by hanging bedding outside in direct sunlight for a few hours.

Cleaning furniture in the bedroom, such as the dresser, nightstand and television, regularly will help eliminate dust. Dust, a common allergy trigger, can be inhaled while asleep, causing an uncomfortable night’s sleep. Be sure to clean off surfaces with a damp rag on a regular basis to remove excess dust and dirt.

Mold is also a common problem for allergy sufferers. Mold produces a musty odor in addition to millions of spores that become airborne easily, causing allergic reactions, asthma episodes and other respiratory problems for you and your family. Treat any mold growth with a bleach solution and make sure the area is kept dry.

A Retreat, but Not for Dirt and Dander

Forty-one percent of dog owners and 51 percent of cat owners allow their pets to sleep in their beds according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. To prevent bringing dander and other pet allergens into the mattress, wash your pets regularly and, if possible, keep your pet out of the bedroom. If you can’t sleep without your pet, use Protect-A-Bed bedding protectors, which will keep your mattress and pillow free of dander.

Also be conscious of the dirt that is brought in on your shoes, pants, coats and other items. This dirt can penetrate carpets, bedding and mattresses and can be difficult to clean. Remove items that can potentially collect dirt prior to entering your bedroom.

A bedroom is a place for relaxation and rejuvenation and should not be a place that causes health problems. A clean, allergen-free bedroom will create an oasis for the body and mind.

Courtesy of ARAcontent