It’s hard to have fun when flowers make you sneeze and budding trees make your eyes water faster than the end of drama episode. You can’t stop trees from pollinating or grass from growing, but you can keep allergens out of your home! If allergies have arrived at your doorstep, follow these steps to reduce your symptoms.
- WASH YOUR BEDDING
Millions of dust mites and other types of germs and bacteria may be using your mattress and pillows as a home! Remove your bedding and wash on a hot water at least once a week, including your pillows.
- CLEAN YOUR CURTAINS
Give your curtains a good look by vacuuming them with a hose and handwashing them in cold water. Heavy curtains can easily trap allergens, dust, and dirt.
- DE-CLUTTER
During allergy season, it’s a good idea to de-clutter the rooms where you spend the most time, like the living room and bedrooms. Remove items that tend to collect dust like old magazines, junk mail, and other unused things.
- KEEP SHOES NEAR THE DOOR
One of the easiest things you can do to reduce allergens in your home is leave your shoes near the door. The bottom of your shoes can track in all sorts of germs, bacteria, and allergens, including pollen grains, pet dander, and mold spores. Simply clear a space next to each of your exterior doors where people can put their shoes. Wicker baskets or bins work great for this.
- AVOID FEATHER DUSTERS
Use a slightly moist cloth that will trap dirt when dusting your home. Feather dusters typically spread allergens around instead of removing them.
- VACUUM WITH A HEPA FILTER
Remove dust mites by vacuuming your floors and carpets with a high efficiency particulate air filter at least once a week. Vacuums with high efficiency particulate air filters trap very fine dust particles that other vacuums only re-circulate back into the air of your home.