Springtime is a wonderful time as plants wake up from winter naps, new scents filling the air–oh, the beauty of it all. What isn’t beautiful or even the slightest bit pretty is allergies. Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and congestion. With all the activity from plants, animals, and other natural forces pollen spreads quickly, straight into your home. However, there are things you can do to make your home a haven from allergens. So, follow our handy tips and enjoy this season without having to worry about springtime allergies.
A Clean Home is a Congestionless One
Cleaning your home regularly is essential to reducing the impact of your springtime allergies. Allergens will stand almost no chance if you enact a regular cleaning plan! Dusting all surfaces with a damp cloth or microfiber cloth can help trap dust particles and prevent them from being spread around. When vacuuming, make sure to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture smaller allergen particles like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. In addition to regular cleaning, you can also use air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove allergens from the air.
Keep Outdoor Allergens Where They Belong....Outside!
During the spring, outdoor allergens like pollen, dust, and mold spores can easily find their way into your home. One of the most effective ways to keep outdoor allergens outside is to keep your windows and doors closed, especially on days with high pollen counts.
You can also use air purifiers in your home to capture any allergens that do make it inside. Another useful tip is to remove your shoes before entering your home to prevent tracking in all those springtime allergens you may have picked up outside.
Find Yourself Sound Asleep with Allergen-Free Bedding
Using allergy-friendly bedding can go a long way in reducing the amount of allergens in your bedroom. Dust mites are a common allergen that can thrive in mattresses, pillows, and bedding. Hypoallergenic bedding can help prevent dust mites from accumulating, which can alleviate symptoms like sneezing and coughing. Hypoallergenic pillows and mattress covers are made from materials that resist dust mites, such as latex or memory foam. These materials are less hospitable to dust mites than traditional materials like cotton or down, which can trap moisture and create an ideal environment for dust mites.
It’s also important to wash your bedding regularly in hot water to kill dust mites and other allergens. Hot water is effective in killing dust mites, as it denatures the proteins in their bodies. By using allergy-friendly bedding and washing it regularly, you can create a clean and comfortable sleeping environment that’s free of allergens.
Keep Your Pets Clean and Allergy Free
Pets are often a big contributor in bringing allergens into the home. Regular grooming and bathing can help reduce the amount of allergens that your pets bring into your home. Brushing your pets outside the house can also help remove allergens that have stuck to their fur, and using an allergen-free shampoo can help reduce the amount of dander they produce.
Another tip–try to keep your pets out heavy traffic areas like your bedroom or areas of the living room. This can help reduce your exposure to pet allergens. HEPA air purifiers are great for collecting pet dander and other allergens in the air. It’s also helpful to regularly clean your pets’ bedding and toys. Even your pet’s favorite toys can accumulate allergens over time, so be sure that you wash them regularly in hot water or replace them when need be.
Keeping your pets clean and minimizing their exposure to areas where you spend a lot of time, you can reduce the amount of allergens in your home and alleviate symptoms of springtime allergies.
