Are you or a member of your household suffering from itchy eyes and a runny nose? Do you wake up some mornings with a scratchy throat that just won’t go away?
If so, there’s a good chance that your home may be filled with problematic allergens that you were unaware of. Allergy triggers can lurk in several surprising places. They can also be hard to identify until you’re already experiencing symptoms.
Once you’ve identified them, it shouldn’t be too difficult to eliminate them from your living space. Doing so should help to clear your airways and get your eyes back to their normal appearance.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to spot and reduce allergens in your home.
Hire an Air Duct Cleaning Service
When it comes to allergies, the first step is identifying the triggers. Once you know what causes your allergies, you can take steps to reduce your exposure. Common allergy triggers include dust, mold, and pet dander.
One way to reduce allergens in the home is to hire an air duct cleaning service. Professional cleaners like capitolductcleaning.com will remove dust, pollen, and other irritants from your ductwork, improving the air quality in your home.
Stay Away From Mold Spores
This can be tricky, as mold can often grow in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas where there is a lot of water. Here are some ways to reduce mold.
Do not run your showers for an extended period of time before bathing. Dehumidifiers can help reduce mold and dust mites. Make use of humidity monitors.
If you notice mold on a surface, clean it right away. To keep it from returning, wear a mask and clean the surface once a week. Repair any leaks or other sources of dampness.
Get Rid of Bedroom Dust
In the bedroom, dust is a common trigger. To help reduce dust and other indoor allergens, start by decluttering. Get rid of anything you don’t need or use, including old clothes, books, and magazines.
Use a damp cloth to dust instead of a dry one, which can just spread dust around. Wash bedding, curtains, and other fabrics in hot water weekly. Keep windows shut, particularly if you live in an urban area with a lot of traffic pollution.
Avoid Pet Dander
If you’re allergic to pet dander, you’re not alone. In fact, pet allergies are some of the most common allergies. But, just because you’re allergic to pet dander doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your beloved pet.
There are some things you can do to reduce the amount of dander in your home and make living with your pet easier. Try to keep your pets out of your bedroom and off upholstered furniture.
Wash your hands after petting your animals. Regularly bathing and grooming your pets can also help to reduce the amount of pet dander in your home.
Remove Layers
If you have severe allergies, remove as much clothing as possible as soon as you enter the house. Jackets, scarves, and hats should be stored in the entryway or in a closet.
When you are working in the yard or your child is playing flag football, keep a hamper nearby to isolate dirty clothing until it is time to do laundry. Remember to wash your clothes in hot water to kill allergens.
Wash Allergens Away
Anyone with allergies who have been outside for a while should go straight to the shower after coming inside. If that sounds too time-consuming or you don’t have time, try washing your face and eyelids with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
Make Use of an Air Purifier
Air purifiers work by trapping allergens in a filter, thus removing them from the air, making the air in your home much cleaner. Air purifiers come in various sizes, so it’s important to choose one that will be effective for the size of your home.
When choosing an air purifier, look for one that is specifically designed to remove allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Check the Clean Air Delivery Rate. The faster the unit filters air, the higher the CADR.
A HEPA filter is a gold standard for air purifiers because it has been proven to trap teeny allergens since the 1950s.
Carefully Select Houseplants
Most indoor plants do not produce pollen, which is responsible for seasonal allergies, and they may even help to clean the air by absorbing volatile organic compounds. Indoor plants and common outdoor allergens can occasionally cross-react, which means they may contain similar proteins that cause you to sneeze.
Some common indoor plants that can cause allergies include ferns, palms, and chrysanthemums. If you’re determined to bring some greenery into your home, you’ll have to experiment to see what works best for you.
Vacuum Once or Twice a Week
Vacuuming once or twice a week will help to remove dust, pollen, and other allergens from your floors and surfaces. However, poor-quality vacuums may bring dust into the air. Look for asthma and allergy-friendly certified vacuums.
These vacuums have been tested and proven to keep allergens out of the air. While vacuuming, put on a mask.
Consider Allergen-Resistant Flooring
If you have carpet, it may be harboring dust mites, pet dander, or other allergens. Consider replacing it with allergen-resistant floorings such as hardwood, tile, or vinyl to help reduce the number of allergens at home. Also, they can be easily cleaned and don’t harbor as much dust and other allergens as carpet does.
When it comes to installation, make sure to choose a method that won’t create dust, such as gluing down linoleum or tile instead of nailing it down.
Apply These Tips to Prevent Allergy Triggers
In conclusion, if you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from allergies, making your home a more allergy-friendly environment can help reduce allergies. Start by identifying and eliminating common allergy triggers, such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen. You can also take measures to reduce mold and mildew, which can be allergy triggers for some people.
Keep your home clean and free of potential allergens, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying allergy-free days.
Looking for more information to maintain a clean, allergy-safe home and other great articles? Check our blog for helpful and cost-effective solutions!
