protectME blog

Your eyes feel like they’re on fire, your core is copping a serious workout from sneezing and you’ve hit the bottom of yet another box of tissues. Sound familiar? With 1 in 3 Australians suffering from allergies, it’s likely it does. Overcoming allergies can feel like a constant battle that you’re never going to beat. Moving to a dust-free planet isn’t an option and neither is living inside a bubble, so there must be a realistic way to surpass the sniffles.Whether you’re a longtime allergy sufferer, an asthmatic or you’re prone to eczema flare ups, it’s important to maintain a home atmosphere that isn’t contributing to your uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous symptoms. It’s easy to blame the cat, the change in weather or the pollen producing plants in the backyard for provoking allergies, however we can often contribute ourselves to the conditions with the use of toxic household products and cleaners.Most people are unaware of the allergens found in most household products. You might think you’re staying on top of dust and mould in your home, however certain ingredients in household cleaners could be releasing allergens into the atmosphere.If your home is clean but your allergies are constant, the products you’re using could be part of the problem. Let’s take a look at the allergy and asthma triggers, products that could be at fault and the best replacements and cleaning methods.   Allergy triggers in the home  Dust Dust is unavoidable in most homes, and while it’s visible on bench tops, shelves and other surfaces, it can build up quickly in carpets and on furniture. Mould Mould spores love damp, humid environments. They’re a pest to get rid of permanently and could be hiding in hard-to-reach places. You could have mould on your carpet without even knowing - read our article to find out how to avoid it! Pollen We can’t stay angry at nature, but the intricate events happening in our gardens could be causing you grief. Pets It’s not them, it’s us… But don't be too quick to ban them from the house!     Products you need to rethink  Laundry detergents  Some laundry detergents contain formaldehyde, which can trigger allergies and asthma.   Fabric softeners & antibacterial cleaners Quarternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS) are found in these products and long term exposure is known to worsen asthma symptoms.   Glass cleaners The ammonia present in glass cleaners is a powerful irritant for asthma sufferers.   Air fresheners  If you think they’re cleansing the air, you are mistaken! The toxins in air fresheners release a nerve-ending agent that can have damaging effects on your nasal passages. They can also be a nasty skin irritant.   Allergy friendly products    Non toxic fabric protectors Protect your furniture, carpets, rugs and bedding from dust, dirt and mould build-up with a non toxic, water based fabric protector (read more about the ingredients). The invisible, breathable coating allows dust and other triggers to be easily wiped from fabrics, and prevents dust mites and mould spores from nestling their way deep into the fabric’s fibres. Our fabric protector spray is also odour free, so you don’t have to worry about triggering allergies when using the product in your home.   Vinegar Mix a solution of equal parts water and vinegar to create an allergy-friendly window and glass cleaner. It will remove films and smudges, and won’t expose your senses to harmful ammonia. Vinegar is also the best mould remover!   Microfibre cloths Not only are they reusable, but they’re far more effective at capturing dust particles, rather than spreading them into the air.   Essential oils  Dilute your favourite essential oils in a spray bottle and purify the air in your home with natural freshness. Lavender and peppermint oil are great choices for allergy sufferers.   Overall, we recommend opting for eco-friendly carpet and furniture fabric protection, natural cleaning alternatives and ditching any products containing toxins or allergens.   Take care of your home and your family by making smart choices when it comes to household cleaning products. Share your best tips for overcoming allergies with us on Instagram!

On average, we spend about 33 years of our lives in bed! That’s 26 years sleeping, and 7 tossing and turning trying to fall asleep, or enjoying a well deserved lie in. With so much time spent in bed, and the major benefits of a good night’s sleep on our overall wellbeing, it makes sense to invest in a quality mattress that will guide you through many restful nights. Now for the not so fun facts. Our bodies make about half a litre of sweat and shed nearly a gram of skin while we’re asleep. Not to mention the added stress of overnight accidents when raising toddlers. So whether you have a growing family, you’re renting out furnished rooms in your home, or you simply can’t resist letting your pooch get in amongst the covers, mattress protection is crucial. Cleaning a mattress is as daunting as it sounds, making protection the easiest and most effective approach. Guard all the mattresses in your home against dirt, spills and accidents, and enjoy some shut eye without any stress. Our waterproof mattress protector spray is non-toxic, leaving your family, allergy sufferers and pets safe and sound.   The cleaning process Cleaning a mattress is a tedious task, and depending on the stain, it can often become a lost cause. Vacuuming, deodorising and steam cleaning are the methods generally used to clean a mattress. Treating specific stains usually requires a concoction of household ingredients and cleaners, which are likely to leave behind a lingering smell. If protection wasn’t on your radar until now and you’ve got existing stains to combat, we recommend using urineFREE to remove urine stains and odours for good! Our busy lives don’t leave a lot of time to worry about constant mattress upkeep, especially given there is usually more than one in most households. Make your life simpler and let your mattress live longer with our waterproof mattress protector spray. Why clean when you can protect? The ultimate protection Do you cringe at the thought of a plastic mattress protector or a waterproof bed sheet? Don’t worry, so do we. Thankfully, there’s no longer a need for these dated forms of protection! Our eco-friendly mattress protector spray actively protects your mattress without a trace. Step 1: Test a small area of the mattress. Step 2: Spray the mattress in a back and forth motion until the entire surface is covered. To obtain the best results, try using one of our battery operated sprayers instead of the trigger spray. Step 3: Let the mattress dry for 12-24 hours before making it or sleeping in it. Afternoon naps may need to be relocated to the couch! Step 4: Test the mattress to ensure the ultimate protection. Spray a small amount of water on the mattress, and if small beads appear, the job is done! If not, simply apply an additional coating and wait for it to dry. Our mattress protector spray will prolong the life of your mattress, and give you the freedom to invest in a comfortable and high quality product. It will stay protected for up to 3 years, and will not only prevent damage while you’re asleep; but also during moves, storage or rentals.If your mattress has consumed more coffee than you during Sunday’s ritual breakfast in bed, don’t stress! We’ve got you covered. You can now cut back on your ‘how to remove …’ Google searches after every accident, and simply reach for a cloth instead. Wash your sheets, give your mattress a quick wipe over and forget it ever happened!Explore our website for more details on protecting your mattress with our non-toxic fabric protector spray.