It’s annoying when you’re always sneezing, coughing or having to blow your nose due to allergies. What’s to blame? Allergens in your home. This article outlines five ways to lower the number of allergens lurking in your home. Read on to find out more.
Deter Dust Mites
Keeping your home uncluttered will help to deter dust mites. When it comes to coverings, bare floors and walls are best. This is particularly true of the bedroom, where you spend so much time sleeping. Try to avoid carpets, but if you can’t, choose low-pile carpet or throw rugs that are easily washed. Drapes and fabric furniture are also classic places that can hide dust mites. Instead of drapes, try roll-down shades or curtains that are washable. Zippered allergen-resistant plastic covers for pillows, mattresses and box springs can limit contact with dust mites. Make sure you wash your bedding in hot water every week. Finish with a hot cycle in the dryer to kill off dust mites.
Vacuum Regularly
You need to be vacuuming at least once or twice a week, but ensure you’re using a high-quality vacuum cleaner, as cheap ones can circulate dust into the air, which won’t help in your quest to lower allergens. There are such things as certified asthma and allergy friendly vacuum cleaners, so search for one if you find allergens are a big problem for your household. To prevent inflaming allergies, wear a mask as you do any housework. Instead of using a feather duster, which will propel dust into the air, use a damp cloth. Vacate your home for a few hours after cleaning it to ensure you’re away while any dust is in the air.
Keep Away from Pet Dander
Animal dander is skin cells that are shed by your pet. All pets have animal dander, so even though doctors may suggest for you to choose a pet that does not have feathers or fur, that may not help. Different pet dander varies in how allergic it is for various people. Some animals will cause allergic reactions, while others may not. Keep pets away from your bedroom, and wash their bedding and toys regularly in hot water to keep allergens away. If you really want to lower dander levels, go for low-pile carpet or bare floors. Bathe and brush your pets while wearing a mask, or hire someone to do the grooming for you so your sinuses don’t become inflamed.
Prevent Mould
Moisture in the bathroom, kitchen and other wet areas can be the cause of mould in your home, and mould spores can be allergens. To prevent mould build up, you can:
- Take shorter showers, and don’t run the water for ages before bathing
- Make use of dehumidifiers which are effective against both mould and dust mites
- Monitor the humidity in your home
- Only have a few house plants
- Notice any leaks and fix them right away
- Clean mould off surfaces as soon as you notice it, wearing a mask while you do so
Get Duct Cleaning Done
If you haven’t paid much attention to the subject of duct cleaning in the past, you’d better listen up, because it could make a very big difference to your allergies. This is because allergens such as pollen, pet dander and dust collect in the ducts of your HVAC system, and when you turn it on, air is pushed through the ducts, which circulates these allergens into every room. The answer to this problem is duct cleaning. Duct cleaning cleanses your ducts so they’re free of allergens and other unsavoury matter, allowing you to breathe easy. Duct cleaning is recommended for people who have allergies and asthma, as it can effectively improve the air quality in your home.
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