For many people a house is not a home if it does not have central heating, fitted carpet, comfortable furniture and heavy curtains.
But if you or any member of your family has asthma, then you may not be spending your money wisely.
Research shows that it would be better to strip the floorboards, put up blinds and buy leather chairs.
The best way to fight asthma and allergies is not to become sensitized in the first place.
A study of 67 children in the United Kingdom and the United States showed that early exposure to the house dust mite sensitized the children, and their sensitivity was in direct relation to the level of mites found in their homes.
The message was clear, bring up your children in homes free of carpets, with the windows open and the heating down low and they will grow up healthy and asthma free.
So what can you do to keep your home allergen free? Research points to the fact that dust mites are killed by freezing, by temperatures over 131 degrees Fahrenheit, strong sunlight, dry cleaning and some chemical sprays.
You should vacuum or dust surfaces with a damp cloth, dry dusting dislodges clouds of allergens into the air.
Keep dust mites out of your bedding with micro porous covers.
Washing bed linens at high temperatures is another recommended measure.
If you develop a rash shortly after starting a course of antibiotics, consult your doctor and pharmacist for advice.
Do not continue the course unless you are advised to do so.
Antibiotics can cause anaphylactic shock, though this is rare.
If you do have this allergic reaction, you should avoid all aspirin products as well.