Do you sneeze like crazy, have itchy eyes and throat, and stuffy nose?
If yes, then we have some bad news for you.
You most likely suffer from allergies and you’re not alone.
Between 10 and 20% of the population has at least one type of allergy!
Even though you can relieve your symptoms with medication, the best way to deal with allergens is to keep them out of your home. Here are some of the most effective ways to allergy-proof your house.
Clean thoroughly and often
Clean, clean, clean, we can’t stress that enough.
Because allergens usually rest on open surfaces, carpets and other linen, you should vacuum at least once a week. It’s a huge chore, but it really is the best way to get rid of allergens.
Get a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter that can trap most allergens and get to work.
Fire up the washing machine
Most people who suffer from indoor allergies are allergic to dust mites.
They usually live on your bedding, clothes, carpets and even your kid’s stuffed animals.
So, wash as many textile things from your home in hot water and dry it in a dryer to kill all dust mites.
Wash your body and your clothes
Many allergens stick to your clothes, shoes and hair and you unknowingly welcome them inside when you come home from work.
So, next time you enter your house, remove your clothes and put them in the washer.
It’s also a good idea to take a shower right after coming inside.
Additionally, make sure you lay down a good doormat to prevent tracking allergens inside, or even better, leave your shoes outside.
Get rid of carpets
Carpets are a haven for all sorts of allergens from dust mites and pollen to pet dander, and when you walk across it you release all of these particles into the air.
Hardwood and other hard flooring options can’t accumulate allergens as well as carpets can.
If you just can’t get rid of your carpets, use low-pile carpets and vacuum the carpet frequently.
To additionally reduce the number of allergens, remove your curtains, or replace them with plain cotton or synthetic ones that can be machine washed easily.
However, sometimes it is hard and expensive to get rid of carpets.
In such cases, you can rely on various home-made solutions to help you keep the carpets clean and allergy-free.
Rely on vinegar and baking soda for stain cleaning, and regular vacuuming should get rid of the dust and allergens.
Concentrate on your bedroom
Since you spend a lot of time in your bedroom and a good night’s sleep is very important for your health and immune system, try to eliminate as many allergens as possible from your bedroom.
Remove carpets, unnecessary linens, decorative pillows and comforters.
If you’re allergic to dust, cover your mattress and pillows with zip-on dust and dust mite covers.
It’s also a smart idea to get rid of your old, dusty and moldy bed and start looking for new mattresses for you and your family.
Wash sheets, blankets and pillowcases once a week and dry them in the dryer.
In cases where your mattress doesn’t need to be changed, you should make sure to clean it properly.
First, you should vacuum it regularly to get rid of the dust and allergens.
Also, you can air it out and easily clean the spots with baking soda solutions.
Lastly, you should make sure to cover it, and you can use some anti-allergy sheets and pillow cases.
Minimize mold in the bathroom
Pollen and dust are not the only allergy triggers.
There are also types of mold that cause allergic reactions and most of these live in your humid bathroom.
So, clean it often and make sure to dry off all surfaces that collect water.
Other great ways to reduce humidity and mold in your bathroom is with good ventilation, replacing broken tiles and re-caulking your sink and tub regularly to stop the mold growth.
Get an air filter
Air filters will greatly help comfort levels in your home, but they are not magical.
They can capture airborne allergens, but not those trapped in carpets and furniture.
When choosing an air filter, opt for the one that doesn’t produce ozone that further irritates people with allergies.
Even though living with allergies is hard and uncomfortable, it’s not impossible.
Just clean regularly and try to avoid allergens as much as possible. Soon, the season will be over, and you’ll breathe easily once again.
