The next best thing is upholstery with washable covers made of dense material. Soft toys Kill dust mites on soft toys by leaving toys in the freezer overnight and then washing them. Damp houses have more dust mites and more mould which can also trigger asthma. It's important to try to keep the house well sealed, to avoid leaking gutters and rising damp. Keeping the air dry isn't easy in a humid climate, but good ventilation helps.
Exhaust fans help to remove moist air from the kitchen, laundries and bathrooms.
How cleaning helps Keeping the house clean helps reduce dust mites and substances produced by animals. Keep the windows open when vacuuming, and don't shake rugs in the house. If someone in the family has asthma, it's best not to have cats as pets. Keep all pets outside as much as possible. If both parents have asthma it's best not to buy pets for their children in case they develop asthma as well.