Back to Breatheasyville Home- Helping Hoosiers with Asthma

Rental Property

Bathroom

Bathtub - Mold

Steam from hot showers and baths can make the air humid and surfaces damp, which helps mold grow. 

  • Clean all bathtub surfaces weekly with a damp, soapy cloth.
  • Use the exhaust fan when showering, bathing or using cleaners. If the bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan, open the bathroom window. A fan in the window can help vent humid air.
  • Use washable shower curtain liners and wash regularly.  
  • If the exhaust fan is not working properly or the window does not open, ask your landlord to fix the exhaust fan or window.

Toilet - Mold

Toilet surfaces are often damp and mold can grow on toilet surfaces.  

  • Wipe toilet surfaces with a damp, soapy cloth weekly. Be sure to wipe the back and sides of the toilet.
  • Clean the inside of the toilet bowl weekly.
  • Use the exhaust fan or open the bathroom window when using cleaners in the bathroom. A fan in the window will help vent strong odors from cleaners.

Sink - Mold & Pests

Wet sinks and leaking drain pipes under the sink can attract pests and may cause mold to grow.

  • Check drain pipes under sink for leaks, dampness and mold. If the drain pipes are leaky, ask your landlord to fix the leak.
  • Wipe off sink and drain pipes often.
  • Check under sinks for signs of pests.

Window - Mold

Steam from hot showers and baths can make the air humid and surfaces damp, which helps mold grow.

  • Open the window when showering, bathing or using cleaners. A fan in the window will help vent humid air.
  • Clean any mold with a damp, soapy cloth.

Exhaust Fan - Mold

Steam from hot showers and baths can make the air humid and surfaces damp, which helps mold grow.

  • Use the exhaust fan when showering, bathing or using cleaners.  
  • Clean any mold or dust with a damp, soapy cloth.
  • Ask the landlord to fix the exhaust fan, if not working right.

Medicine Cabinet - Strong Odors

Strong odors and fragrances from cosmetics, perfumes, colognes, nail polish and air fresheners can irritate the lungs, especially aerosols and sprays.

  • Limit the use of aerosol or spray air fresheners.
  • Avoid using cosmetics with strong odors.
  • Limit the use of spray perfumes and colognes. Use perfumes and colognes that can be dabbed on.  

Medicine

People can be allergic to ANY medication. Though rare, adults and children with asthma can become sensitive to aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.   

  • People with asthma sensitive to these drugs should avoid aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen, these drugs may cause an asthma attack. Sensitivity to these drugs increases with age and asthma severity.
  • People with asthma should also avoid NON-SELECTIVE Beta-adrenergic blockers. Non-selective beta-adrenergic blockers block the receptor sites in the lungs. This can make quick-reliever medications (like albuterol) not work.