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How to Protect Your Home from Allergens

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For many people, spring means saying goodbye to the polar vortex otherwise known as winter. For others, spring means one thing: allergy season. Allergy season can be its own kind of torture for many people. Itchy and watery eyes, runny noses, sneezing, congestion - and those are just some of the symptoms!

There are steps you can take to help combat your allergy symptoms starting at home.

Control dust and dust mites

Dust mites are tiny insects that can live in your bed, sofa and carpet and usually can cause nasal allergies. Mites thrive in moist warm air so using a dehumidifier can help keep them at bay.

Droppings from dust mites and cockroaches as well as their body parts contain powerful allergens. Fine particles of these materials become "dust" and can be drawn into the lungs causing problems.
  • Electrostatic precipitators offer high efficiency in removing small particles and can be installed in the return air duct near the home's furnace. They work by giving particles a positive charge. Then the negatively-charged collector holds onto the particles. The removable dust-collecting plate needs to be cleaned regularly.

  • Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Normal vacuums can eject dust particles in the air during use. HEPA filters are high-efficiency particulate-arresting and are capable of removing most of the particles that can cause health concerns.

  • Since dust mites grow mainly in mattresses and bedding, wash your sheets, pillowcases and comforters every 7 to 10 days in the hot cycle of your washing machine. Use mattress covers and pillow cases that block mites.

  • Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting and replace with throw rugs that can be washed or dry-cleaned regularly.

Control pollen

Pollen is one of the worst allergy offenders. In the early spring, tree pollen is most common. During late spring and early summer, grasses often cause symptoms and in the late summer and fall, hay fever is caused by weeds.

Pollen can be impossible to avoid when you're outdoors, but sometimes it makes its way into your home as well. Take these steps to minimize your exposure to pollen inside your home:
  • Keep your windows closed at night to keep pollen from drifting indoors.

  • Don't hang your laundry to dry on a clothesline outside. Pollen can easily collect on your clothes as they hang and make their way inside.

  • Mowing the lawn and raking leaves stirs up pollen. When yard work needs to be done, consider hiring someone else to do it for you.

Control mold and fungus

Indoor mold or fungus flourishes in dampness and humidity.
  • Cleaning hard surfaces like bathroom tubs, shower stalls, shower curtains and windowsills with water detergent and if necessary five percent bleach (don't mix bleach with other cleaners), or a disinfectant to kill mold and mildew, and then dry the area completely.

  • Use a dehumidifier in damp areas or during humid weather. Air conditioners can also keep humidity low so molds have less opportunity to thrive.

  • Remove carpeting from concrete and damp floors especially in the basement.

  • Don't store items in damp areas.

  • Promptly repair areas that may be water damaged; roofs, basements, sinks and pipes.

Control pet dander

Some people love their pets more than anything, but sometimes our pets' dander can be the cause for our allergy woes.
  • Try to keep your pet out of your bedroom where you spend at least a third of your day. You'll be able to get a more restful night's sleep if you're not up sneezing and sniffling.

  • Reduce allergens by vacuuming areas frequently including the furniture, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Using a HEPA air cleaner may also help reduce allergens from your pet.

  • Bathing your pet regularly will cut down on their dander.


Ana M. Ferrer  Posted by Ana M. Ferrer on April 10, 2014

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