Allergy-proof your home to sniffle less

Spring is just 11 days away, and along with the warmer weather and pretty flowers come the irritants that affect 40 million Americans who suffer from allergies.

But a little preparation can cut down on the suffering, as Health magazine Senior Lifestyle Editor Cristina Tudino explained on "The Early Show" Tuesday, offering advice to help you lessen allergies' wallop:

Shoe bottoms

Whatever sticks to the bottoms of your shoes -- pollen, pesticides, dust -- is tracked into your house The key to taming it is to remove your shoes at the door OR wipe your feet on a high-quality, abrasive doormat - one that's tough and can get everything off the bottom of your shoes. Also keep in mind that you should clean or replace your doormat every three months to reduce the risk of mold and mildew buildup.

Flooring

If you love a soft, plush rug, just remember that you're not the only one! Dust mites, mold, spores, pet fur and dander can wreak havoc on allergy sufferers and they love those cushier carpets. What you should do is try to strip your floors down as bare as possible, but if you can't do that, consider area rugs made of tightly-woven natural fibers such as sea grass or sisal -- they're easier to keep clean. Vacuuming can also help you -- use one with a HEPA filter once a week to suck up dust and other allergens.

Living rooms

Seating can be a big culprit here. Those cushy, fabric sofas that everyone loves can hold a lot of dust. Leather, wood, or woven furniture that can be wiped down is ideal, but most of us want to sink into something cushy. To combat allergens, vacuum fabric-based sofas and chairs often, and wash slipcovers in hot water every other week to kill germs and dust mites. If your chairs and sofas are made from gentle fabrics, heed care instructions in order to get the most mileage out of your fabric.

Shades

Curtains, especially heavy, hard-to-clean ones, can be dust and pollen magnets. You should vacuum them with a brush attachment once a week to get rid of allergens. If you're especially sensitive to allergies, you might want to swap curtains for shutters or blinds; they're easier to keep dust-free.

Clutter

Lots of knickknacks make it harder to get rid of dust. If you don't want to put all your precious items away, wipe them frequently with a multi-surface cleaner (the pre-sanitized wipes are a great way to get rid of dust in a flash and also are pretty malleable, so they can clean just about anything, anywhere). If you're very dust-sensitive, wear a surgical mask while cleaning, and stay out of the room for 30 minutes afterward to allow the dust to settle.

Make your own simple, non-toxic cleaners at home

Window Cleaner: Mix equal parts white vinegar (a natural disinfectant/deodorizer that reduces bacteria, mold, and germs) and water in a spray bottle.

Wood Cleaner: Mix equal parts water and vinegar, plus a few drops of olive oil. Add essential oils for fragrance if you want. You can also add a small amount of nontoxic dish soap if needed.

Bedrooms

Dust mites and dead skin cells are attracted to mattresses and bedding, so if you're one of the 20 million people who are allergic to them, make sure you take steps to clean. You'll want to eliminate dust mites and the dead skin cells they eat by washing bedding in hot water at least once a week. Turn up the water heater to a dust mite-killing 130 degrees before you wash, and turn it back down afterward. Another good option is using an anti-allergy mattress wrap, which can keep mite waste from contaminating your air. You'll also want to keep an eye on the pillows -- two years is the magic number when it comes to pillows. To reduce the onset of a major allergy attack and prolong the life of your pillows, have them dry-cleaned or wash them in boiling water.

Can houseplants help?

They can clean the dirty and stale air. Some plants rid your air of contaminants, like formaldehyde, that are especially irritating to allergy sufferers. Go to www.health.com/plants-that-help for a list of great plant options to spruce up your home that ALSO remove air impurities. Removing the irritants from the air makes it easier for the respiratory passages to function properly. Try to remember not to overwater! You'll get mold and defeat the purpose of the plant!