Top tips for keeping your home allergy-free
Allergies can wreak havoc on your life and make everyday activities more difficult. Whether you’re dealing with hay fever, pet allergies, or suffering from a reaction to pollen, there are things you can do to be more proactive when it comes to allergy-proofing your home. With the right methods in place, your home can become a place of refuge away from the allergens found floating around the outside world. Read on to discover more about what you can do to make, and keep, your home allergy-free.
How to Allergy-Proof Your Home
If you or any of your loved ones suffer from allergies, there are several things you can do to minimize exposure and to reduce the symptoms in your home. From the bedroom to your backyard, there are some specific steps everyone can take to make your home allergy-proof and safer to live in. Knowing how to prevent allergies in the home will help to ensure that you’re breathing better and that you’re able to enjoy being indoors and outside. From fall allergies to thick yellow pollen during the springtime, taking proactive steps will make your home a safer place to be for the entire family.
Common Areas & Living Room
The common areas of your home include the living room, dining room, entryway, and any other spaces where people tend to gather. Make these areas safer by vacuuming floors often to remove dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens. If you have curtains or other fabric window treatments, wash them at least once per week to remove buildup that can start to accumulate on the surface. Wipe off mini blinds and dust them thoroughly every day if possible, in order to keep dust to a minimum. Soft surfaces like upholstered furniture will also require regular attention. Dust or vacuum chairs, sofas, and loveseats as often as you can to keep indoor allergies from becoming a major problem. Keep your dining room table and chairs clean by dusting them daily to prevent allergens from gathering in the place where your family eats.
Bedrooms
When it comes to allergy prevention, the bedroom is one of the most important spaces to address. Soft cloth bedding and hard surfaces such as dressers and nightstands can easily accumulate dust and pollen. Wash all sheets, comforters, and pillowcases at least once a week in hot water (a minimum of 77 degrees Fahrenheit). When you’re not in the bedroom, keep all of the windows closed to prevent excess pollen and other allergens from getting inside the room. Just like the common areas of your home, vacuum regularly and wipe down furniture using a wet rag to remove any buildup that could be sitting on the surface of your furnishings. If dust mites are a concern, try to keep humidity levels as low as possible using a dehumidifier since they thrive in humid spaces.
Bathrooms
Your bathroom can be especially vulnerable to irritants like mould and mildew. Do your best to keep these rooms as clean as possible to avoid the spread of dangerous mould. Check under sinks and behind appliances to make sure there are no plumbing leaks. Use a disinfectant to clean bathroom floors, counters, tubs, and toilets. Excess humidity can be a breeding ground for mould and mildew. You can reduce humidity levels in the bathroom by ensuring you have adequate ventilation. If you have a window, keep them cracked open, especially when bathing or showering. Always turn the overhead ventilation fan on when you use the bathroom. One of the best ways to promote allergy prevention is to keep every room in your home as clean as possible, and as often as possible.
The Backyard
It’s impossible to control Mother Nature, but there are still some things you can do to mitigate the effects of spring allergies and other seasonal allergies. Keep the allergies that are hanging around your backyard from getting inside by closing windows and doors. If you have outdoor pets, wipe their coat down using a damp cloth before they come back inside. Kids can enjoy playing in the backyard but have them leave their socks and shoes at the door and make them wash their clothes and change into clean clothing every time they’re ready to come indoors. Find out which trees, shrubs, and other plants may be triggering your allergies. If possible, have those plants removed and replace them with new plants that won’t create excess pollen or ragweed. Trim your lawn every week to keep your grass cut nice and short. If the grass grows too tall, it can make allergies much worse. If you have hardwood floors, tile, or linoleum, consider putting your area rugs away temporarily until allergy season is over. Rugs can accumulate all the tiny allergens that come from your backyard whenever you come inside.
Pet Allergies: How to Deal with Your Furry Friend
There’s no doubt that you love your pet, but you may need to take some action if you or a family member is suffering from pet allergies. You might not be directly allergic to pet dander, but rather from the allergens that pets can accumulate on their fur when they go outside. Give your dog a thorough bath using soap and warm water as often as you can. Use a quality brush to keep his coat clean and to keep any stray dander under control. Trim your dog’s fur if possible so that it’s not too long and shaggy. Create some “restricted” areas in your home where your pet won’t be allowed inside. This will give you a place of respite and relief if you’re severely allergic to your cat or dog. Ideally, try to keep your pets out of the bedroom so you can get some rest and enjoy an allergen-free sleeping area. Train young pets at an early age and give them a special bed where they know to go for naptime and bedtime.
As you work to allergy-proof your home, use these tips to keep your space clean and clear. With regular cleaning and some proactive steps, you can make sure that your home is free from many of the most common allergens that tend to lurk indoors. You can also try some natural allergy remedies to lessen symptoms. However, allergy prevention is the true key to helping you get through the season with less stress.