TSW Dust Storm: Caregiver's Ultimate Cleaning Hacks and Tools

Don't let dust mites win!

When my daughter's Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) flared up with heavy shedding, it felt like a blizzard had hit our home. Each day brought a fresh layer of skin flakes, covering every surface like a dusting of snow, with larger flakes sometimes resembling coarse grains of sand. I vacuumed twice a day, sometimes more, focusing on her bedroom and the living room where she spent most of her time.

Before TSW, we purchased Trojan 8 vacuum cleaner and also UV LED for bed dust mite vacuum to be our ultimate weapon against these microscopic foes. When I was about to change the battery and HEPA filter for my old vacuum cleaner, I discovered the Trojan SGP18 Pro Plus. This powerful model boasts an LED brush head, a free dust mite head, and an incredible 25000PA suction power. Intrigued by its capabilities, especially the potential to remove dust mites more effectively, I decided to purchase it instead of replacing the parts for my previous vacuum.

At first, I didn't realize the LED headlights would be a game-changer until I started vacuuming without turning on the room lights. It was a magical experience. The LEDs illuminated every dust speck and flake, giving me a newfound sense of purpose as I vacuumed. It was oddly satisfying to see the dust disappear into the vacuum, knowing I was creating a cleaner, safer space for my daughter to heal.

But the battle wasn't over. Even with my new vacuuming superpower, I noticed that the air conditioner filters in her bedroom and the living room were always caked in dust, even though they had been cleaned at the same time as the filters in other rooms. It was then I realized that the microscopic flakes weren't just settling on surfaces; they were airborne, circulating throughout the house.

To tackle this invisible enemy, I added the CLAIR Air Purifier to our arsenal. Although it's quiet compared to the vacuum cleaner's loud noise, I could see the dust it had collected when I opened the filter, assuring me that we were doing everything possible to create a clean and healing environment.

Dust Buster's Delight: A Clean Home for Everyone (Even During Heavy Shedding!)

Whether you're battling a TSW dust storm or simply want to keep your home sparkling, a clean environment can make a world of difference for your health and well-being. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by dust and allergens, especially when shedding is intense. But with the right tools and strategies, you can create a haven that's clean and comfortable.

Essential Cleaning Tools for a Dust-Free Home:

  1. Vacuum Cleaner: Trojan SGP18 Pro Plus (currently sold out, only spare parts available) with strong suction, LED lights, and dust mite attachment. Consider looking for similar models from other brands with comparable features.

  1. Air Purifier: Clair Cube Air Purifier with UV LED Sterilizer and Plasma Ionizer, capable of removing 99.9% of ultrafine dust particles as small as 0.1 microns.

  1. Waterproof Mattress Protector and Anti-dust mite Fitted Sheet: Previously, I layered my daughter's bed with multiple mattress protectors, bed sheets, disposable nursing pads, and another layer of bed sheet to prevent ooze from seeping into the mattress. However, I disliked the lint from the disposable nursing pads, which I worried would fly around when changing the sheets. Switching to this waterproof and anti-dust mite fitted sheet was a game-changer, as it effectively prevents ooze from reaching the mattress, reduces potential allergens that could irritate her sensitive skin, and eliminates the need for multiple layers.

  2. Lint Roller: We keep a lint roller next to my daughter's bed. During periods of heavy shedding, when movement was difficult for her, we'd use it to remove skin flakes from the bed while she slept, making it more comfortable for her as the flakes could sometimes be prickly. Now that her flaking is much lesser, we don't wash the bedsheet daily. We just use the lint roller to quickly remove any tiny flakes, dust and hair. It's also helpful for removing dust from the wallpaper.

Creating a clean and healthy home can make a world of difference, especially during the challenges of TSW. By investing in helpful tools and incorporating these simple cleaning tips into your routine, you'll be well on your way to transforming your home into a soothing sanctuary that supports healing and well-being for everyone.

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