The Organised Housewife » Tips, ideas, inspiration and motivation to help keep you and your household clean and organised

Masthead header
Feb 15 2011

{Decluttering} Soft teddies and dustmites

Category: Declutter • Laundry

soft teddies

Mr 8 had an allergy test late last year and most recently I also had Miss 8 tested as well.  The results were they both are allergic to dust mites.  This is one of the most common allergies, and I’m sure most people don’t realise this could be the reason to alot of sinus or hayfever symptoms.  The symptoms the twins showed were each quite different, Miss 8 would always rub her eye’s therefore causing Eczema around them.  Mr 8 had dark circles under his eye’s and constant running nose, causing fluid in his ears which reduced his ability to hear properly. 

You can imagine my shock when the Dr told me they were allergic to dust mites as I have always kept the house clean and tidy,  but then again like I have mentioned before I don’t like to dust, so now I have to make sure this is added to my weekly cleaning schedule.  Miss 8 only suffers when she is out of the house visiting particular family/friends. But still I need to ensure this house is always Dust Mite Free.  Dust mites like to hide in the following:

  • Soft teddies
  • Doonas/Quilts
  • Sheet
  • Mattress
  • Pillows
  • Curtains
  • Carpet
  • Sheepskin/woolen underlays
  • Furniture and Clothes

Hence my need to declutter soft teddies.  This is sad as my kids are really attached to sleeping/playing with their teddies.  I have allowed them to keep one teddy to sleep with but I need to wash it every week when I wash their sheets.  I have been using the Bosisto’s EucoFresh Allergen Laundry Liquid, to wash all bedding and soft toys.  They are then allowed to keep 3 more teddies on the top of their bookshelves, which I will then wash every few weeks.  We have then given the rest to charity.  Honestly, they really don’t need 10+ teddies.  We have kept the teddies which are most special to them.  Are you able to part with a few soft teddies? 

Bosisto’s EucoFresh Allergen Laundry Liquid reduces the dust mite allergens, great for sensitive skin allowing you to use in everyday washing. It also give a fresh bushy scent through the house, which is a lovely bonus.  I am so happy I came across this product to help reduce the kids allergies…..and it’s all natural product!!

If you would like more handy hints and tips, visit Bosisto’s HERE and they will send you a FREE information pack which includes:

  • Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Handy Hints brochure
  • Bosisto’s Tea Tree Handy Hints brochure
  • Bosisto’s Lavender Oil Handy Hints brochure
  • Bosisto’s Dust Mite Control program…
    and more!

The Steps of Declutter 52 Things in 52 Weeks:

Step 1:  Determine what are your organising goals
Step 2:  What is clutter
Step 3:  5 steps to clear your clutter
Step 4:  Start the 52 things in 52 weeks Challenge - it’s not too late to start now
Step 5:  How to part with sentimental items
Step 6:  Create a to-do list


Love these ideas? Sign up for updates....It's FREE!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

  • Rebecca

    Did you know that freezing toys for a few hours (I usually do it overnight) wrapped in a pillow case and then into the sun will also kill dustmites. This is something I do for the favourites that are delicate!

  • Anne

    Gosh. My kids (and my husband more so) are so attached to their soft toys. I hate them and believe they're just clutter and taking up too much storage space. Both kids have 2 or 3 absolute favourites but I'd love to get rid of the rest. Any ideas on how to approach this? I think my husband would be more devastated than the kids.

  • http://www.giovanna-shesgotissues.blogspot.com Giovanna

    I discovered Bosito's EucoFresh last year and love it. I also vaccum the boys' mattresses every now and again too. Didn't know about the freebies. Thanks Katrina.

  • Pingback: Bosisto’s Dust Mite Control Giveaway | The Organised Housewife

  • TJ

    Which charities take soft toys? I've tried in the past, offering kids toys and books to Vinnies but they said they won't take them because they don't sell, and in the case of soft toys, can cause a health risk. I found this strange as I'm not interested in what money they can make out of my hand-me-down toys – I just want them to go to kids who don't have anything.

  • Alicia Ilievski

    I am going to struggle with this a little. Did a cull just before Christmas and still have HEAPS. Id say we donated half.

    The dust thing might just be enough to get me accross the line.

    Am not making any promises (LOL addicted to STUFF!) but will certainly revise the collection we still have. To halve again would probably still be more than plenty. Ill give it a shake and let you know how I get on. -Hope that makes me accountable enough.

  • Joelene Accatino

    Wow. I was given heaps and heaps of soft toys for the birth of my baby boy. Not sure I can part with them just yet as he is only 5 and a half months. May need to do something when it gets close to his first birthday. May look at some toys (gadgets) that my husband and I have lying around that we don't need instead.

  • Natalie

    I have done this part of my declutter several times – but there's always an excuse for some more teddies to go to a new home!

    My eldest daughter's other nanna thought that new born babies needed one of every "cute" (subject to opinion!!) teddy, softy and THING in every shop, and she HAD to have them as soon as she was one day old. I even had to smuggle a 4' high teddy bear out of the house one year because it took up space and gave my daughter nightmares! I have now got her down to just a few special ones. (Now that's a long term de-clutter!)

    My toddler loves dollies so we have three special softies plus her dolly collection, and I have bagged up all the softies she never plays with (some of which were almost brand new) and given them to friends to take to this year's M.R.A toy run.

  • Pingback: {Organising} Miss 8′s bedroom room » The Organised Housewife

  • Pingback: {Readers} Q&A and Tips » The Organised Housewife

  • Pingback: Decluttering 52 Things – Task #3: Coffee Table » The Organised Housewife

  • Pingback: {Decluttering 52 Things} Task #3: Coffee Table » The Organised Housewife

  • anonymous

    Approximately 18 months’ ago, my household disposed of fourteen tea chest size boxes and one wool bale bag full of soft toys. 

  • SB

     Like everyone else, my son received about 20 stuffed toys when he was born.  While I think it’s lovely that people thought of him and bought him a gift, I now have a massive pile that is taking up space in his bedroom (and collecting dust!).  He is almost 1, so I think I’m prepared to part with some of them now.  Can anyone recommend a good place to donate them to?

    • Erin D

       lifeline, vinnies and red cross often take them if they’re in good condition, also look into charities that like Salvation Army etc!

  • SB

     Like everyone else, my son received about 20 stuffed toys when he was born.  While I think it’s lovely that people thought of him and bought him a gift, I now have a massive pile that is taking up space in his bedroom (and collecting dust!).  He is almost 1, so I think I’m prepared to part with some of them now.  Can anyone recommend a good place to donate them to?

  • http://www.fb.com/ezyclean Di Heath Norwex Consultant

    Hi Katrina, you might be interested in a naturalproduct that Norwex sells too, called Mattress Cleaner.  It is a spray that you can use on any soft furnishings, toys, bedding, carpets etc.  Lots of people have had great results with the reduction of dust mite allergies when they use the spray, and you only need to treat the items every 3-4 months.  If you are interested in a bit more info, visit my facebook page where in the notes section you will find some more information about it :-)

    • http://www.fb.com/ezyclean Di Heath Norwex Consultant

      my facebook page website address might be useful!! http://www.fb.com/ezyclean

  • Cindy

    Thanks for the information.

  • Kellysfushnchups

    I’m 26 and still have a box full of soft toys from my childhood, being an only child i am still quite attached to them and not sure i can part with them, but i am careful not to do the same to my kids, they only have a couple of special ones and a couple of extra ones and i ask friends and family not to buy them. i buy them books instead as they are easier to pass on when the kids have grown out of them, again keeping a couple of special ones to pass down to their kids later. 

  • Melodene

    Vac bags age the best you put in your favs and suck all the air out less space used and no dust!

  • Ali

    I have two bins of soft toys i my dining room.. and one box in the shed teh kids play with them every now and then and the ones in the box are from my childhood and ones i brought back from england.. they are in a box till kids leave home then they will be displayed in one of the rooms.. so as much as i want to declutter and i know I should get rid of soft toys are my one thing I just can’t do..

  • Jeni

    Oh, my kids have some gorgeous teddies, maybe I’ll get rid of the ones I kept for them that were my special teddies when I was a kid… for a start