A clean home is a happy home. But these days, it is hard to keep the outside world out. The air we breathe has more and more allergens in it: pollen from plants and trees, mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites.
As a result of the longer, hotter summers and climate change, pollen counts are higher than they have been in years. On the other hand, mold spores are going airborne due to the increased rainfalls.
How can you stay healthy with all this stuff floating around your house? Here’s what you need to do:
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Keep the Air Ducts Clean
The best way to keep your home allergen-free is to clean the air vents and ducts regularly. Air ducts can become clogged with dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens, leading to poor air quality and increased asthma symptoms.
The air that blows through your air ducts gets recirculated into the home. Keeping them clean will ensure that you breathe in fresh, uncontaminated air. With HVAC services, no matter what season it is, you can expect to get professional cleaning and preventative maintenance for your air ducts twice a year.
Use a Vacuum With a HEPA Filter
Keep your house as clean as possible by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove any allergens or particulates from the area.
A vacuum with a HEPA filter is filled with absorbing material that traps microscopic solid particles like dust, pollen, and mites. They also encapsulate germs like bacteria, so your vacuum is basically cleaning up on two fronts. This type of vacuum will result in healthier air for you to breathe at home.
Cleaning should include washing all the surfaces in the home, including windows. Regular cleaning will help to reduce the number of allergens in your environment and improve your overall health.
Be Aware of What You Wear Into Your House
There is no need to be paranoid, but it also doesn’t hurt to think about what comes into your home. Did you walk through a field or something? Or did you touch some animal before you got there, like a cat, dog, or even a horse?
That means more than just bringing in pollen. You may also be bringing in dust mites and pet dander: two sources of allergens that can make living at home uncomfortable and breathing difficult for those with allergies.
Keeping your shoes outside can go a long way towards keeping those allergens out of the house. When walking around outside, try to avoid areas known to have a high pollen count.
If you’re going to be around animals, take a shower and change your clothes before coming inside. This will help remove any animal allergens from your body before entering the house.
Be Sure to Dust Regularly
Dust is a huge source of allergens, even if you can’t see it. Dust mites are the most common cause of allergies in young children and adults alike. Without regular dusting, your house will become filled with all things dusty.
Not only should you dust surfaces like tables, countertops, and shelves, but you should also consider cleaning fans and light fixtures. This will ensure that there won’t be any particles floating around the air that get breathed into your lungs.
Keep the Humidity Levels in Your House Low
One way to reduce the number of allergens in your home is to keep the humidity levels low. You can do this by using a dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, which will help to reduce the number of allergens in your environment. Dehumidifiers are available in different sizes, so you should be able to find one that fits your needs and budget. Before purchasing, be sure to read reviews, as some dehumidifiers may be better at removing specific allergens than others.
Keeping the humidity levels in your home low will help reduce allergens with dust mites and improve the durability of your building materials.
Replace Your Carpets With Hardwood, Tile, or Linoleum Floors
Adding hardwood, tile, or linoleum flooring to your home will help reduce the number of allergens found in your environment. It also means that you won’t have any additional allergens getting tracked into the house every time it rains.
When looking for a new flooring option, consider sealing with products low in volatile organic compounds (VOC). Low VOC sealants are proven safer for people allergic to products with high VOCs.
Dyes, sealants, paints, and finishes often contain high levels of VOCs, triggering allergies in some people. For those who live in areas with frequent or severe pollen allergies, it is best to avoid sealants, paint, and finishes with high VOC levels.
If hardwood, tile, or linoleum floors are not an option for you, consider using materials made from natural products. Carpets can often trap allergens like dust mites and pet dander. If you must use a carpet in your home, choose one made from natural fibers like wool or cotton.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your home clean and allergen-free is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. You can start by being aware of what you bring into the house, keeping dust levels low with regular cleaning, avoiding carpets if possible to avoid trapping allergens, and ensuring that any flooring materials are low in VOCs. These steps may seem small individually, but together, they will go a long way towards creating an allergy-friendly environment at home.