Allergy proof your home
Allergy proofing your home may be able to provide you with much needed relief year round. Find out what you can do to
Allergies can be painful and frustrating. Some people are provided relief from allergies during “off-season”, but if you suffer from year-round allergies, you may continue to have congestion, sinus headaches and itchy eyes during the winter or fall. Even worse, you may end up fighting these allergies while you are inside your house. If you experience itchy, dry eyes, sneezing, or other symptoms while inside your house or office, it’s likely that you are suffering from indoor allergies. Luckily, there are several factors which you have control over that will help bring you relief.
Prevent Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are silent, and sometimes scent-free allergens. Unfortunately, they tend to grow quickly, so once you discover them, it is best to act quickly. The key to eliminating mildew is to eliminate standing water no matter where it is.
Your basement is dark and sometimes damp, and mold can grow there if you don’t prevent it. Consider placing a dehumidifier downstairs. It is also advisable to keep your home between 35 and 40 percent humidity. You can purchase a humidity gauge at your local hardware store to manage this properly. Make sure to spray your shower areas and your bathroom sink regularly with an anti-mildew spray. You can also help prevent mildew in the kitchen by regularly cleaning under the sink areas. Check your refrigerator for expired food before it grows mold, and throw away bad food immediately.
Dust and Mites
Dust mites are the most common indoor allergen. Dust mites thrive in warm and humid places such as bedding. Regularly washing your sheets and pillows, replacing pillows every six months and sealing mattresses and pillows in airtight covers are some great ways to stop dust-mites in their tracks. Make sure you wash your linens in hot (about 130 degrees) water to kill the mites. If your kids have stuffed animals they sleep with, toss those in the wash, too. Make sure you flip your mattress every few weeks to keep the dust mites at bay. If your dust allergies are severe, consider going without carpeting and opting for cotton throw rugs instead. If you must have your wall-to-wall carpeting, vacuum it regularly. Also make sure that you run the vacuum over the furniture, which is a second home to dust-mites.
Household dust on its own is full of allergens as well. Try to make your home as dust-free as possible. Make sure you dust regularly, including all of your shelves and near your knickknacks. Use light curtains or shades on your windows to prevent piles of dust on your draperies, preferably drapes that can be tossed in the washer or wiped down with a cleanser and sponge. When you are cleaning, make sure to go after those hard-to-reach spots under the furniture, where dust may end up caking.
You may also want to have your blinds professionally cleaned to prevent dust buildup.
Don’t ignore your ceiling fans or summer fans; clean them regularly to make sure they aren’t releasing dust in the air every time you run them.
Pets
If you have a pet in the house and you or family members are suffering with allergy symptoms, the pet is the most likely cause. If you aren’t willing to give up your pet, you can make reasonable accommodations that make your home more livable. Make bedrooms pet free and bathe the pet every week or so.
If possible, give your pet its own bedding and wash the bedding once a week. Vacuum as much as possible during shedding periods such as summer. If your animal is allowed to go outdoors when it is shedding, let it go out more often. You’ll decrease the animal hair and dander inside your house.
If you have one family member who is especially allergic, you can turn off the central air and heat vents in that room and use a stand-alone unit. Pet allergens are easily circulated throughout the house via your central air and heating system.
Keep your Air Clean
Air conditioning is highly effective in maintaining proper humidity and cleanliness for indoor air. Air filtration units are also strongly recommended for sufferers with strong symptoms. Change your filter on a regular basis.
Before winter arrives, have your ducts cleaned in order to get rid of the build-up in your systems. Allergens are known to fester in these ducts throughout the year, and a good cleaning helps promote cleaner air for everyone.
If you are a smoker, your allergies may be aggravated due to your habit. Seriously consider quitting smoking; people who smoke tend to have more bronchial infections, sinus infections, and overall illness than nonsmokers. If there are others in your home that are allergic, limit your smoking to outdoors. They’ll thank you for it.
Have Good Sense with Scents
Many allergy sufferers can’t be around floral smelling perfumes, potpourri, and other man-made scents. If you want to have a fresh-smelling house, opt for natural scents such as cinnamon or fruit. Make sure the soaps you use in the bathroom are plain (not especially scented).
Make sure your laundry detergent is scent-free as well. A good choice for detergent is one that contains baking soda and/or bleach.