How do you get rid of or reduce the allergens in your home?
Image by Luisella Planeta Leoni from Pixabay
Do you know how you sometimes wake up with a stuffy nose and swollen eyes for no particular reason? Unless you have been tested for certain allergies, you would probably dismiss these symptoms as those of a common cold or a sinus infection. However, these symptoms might actually be side effects of the different allergens flying around in the air, from dust particles of pollen that exacerbate during the months of spring.
Allergens are not necessarily harmful substances; most of the time they cause sneezing, difficulty breathing, or skin itchiness. However, in severe cases, they can have life-threatening effects; this, of course, will vary from one person to the other. Doctors and healthcare professionals advise against taking chances with allergens and recommend getting rid of them sooner rather than later. If you are wondering how to do so, read on to find out.
Clean your air conditioners
As the weather is starting to warm up, you will soon start needing your air conditioners. While air conditioners do not induce allergens on their own, they help a great deal in spreading those that are already there throughout your home, intensifying their harmful effects. Airborne pollutants that are trapped inside your AC filters are the root cause of the problem.
These pollutants could be pollen from plants or dust that float into your home through windows and doors. They could even be pet dander or airborne bacteria and viruses. According to this article, in order to protect your family from AC allergies, you need to replace your AC filters every month and more so during allergy season. Clean filters will also make your AC function better since nothing is interrupting the free air circulation. If you live in a city where air pollution is a common problem, you will need to install an extra set of filters just to be on the safe side. You can also contact a good AC maintenance company to carry out regular checkups and make the necessary changes.
Get an air purifier
Air purifiers have become very popular nowadays. These devices work by collecting surrounding air and passing it through a filtration system that traps any air contaminants. Clean and allergens-free air is then released, improving the quality of the air you breathe in your home. Because no matter how hard you try, allergens will always find a way indoors.
Although some people would argue that they are more of a luxury add-on; you can find a variety of air purifiers on the market that suit your budget. With sleek and stylish designs, they will not disrupt the chic vibe of your home. The important thing is to place it in an open-space area to allow it to work as efficiently as possible. Like the AC, you need to make sure that your purifier’s filters are regularly cleaned and replaced as needed.
Upgrade your cleaning routine
Do not just depend on dusting; vacuum your floor and furniture more regularly as it is the best way to reduce allergens in your home. It is also recommended to do a deep steam cleaning of your carpets and rugs every three months for even better results. When you are dusting tables and other surfaces, use a damp microfiber cloth instead of a dry one, so as not to spread allergens further. Make sure your bathrooms and any humid areas like the basement are free of mold. You can also switch to detergents that are free from chemical dyes and fragrances as they are considered allergy-inducers. Change your regular laundry detergent, carpet shampoo and floor waxes to hypoallergenic ones that work on getting rid of any allergens.
Switch to hypoallergenic textiles
Take your war against allergens as a chance to do some renovations around your home. Check to see if your carpets, curtains, and furniture textiles contain allergenic fibers like polyester-based fabrics. Opt for silk, linen, and organic cotton instead, which are known to be among the best hypoallergenic fabrics. Do not forget to upgrade your towel sets, bed sheets, and pillows as well since they can greatly affect the quality of your sleep.
Try to control what goes inside your home
Try to keep all windows and doors closed at all times to prevent pollution and pollen from the outside to get indoors. Adopt a no shoes inside the home policy, install a shoe rack or some shelves right by the door to encourage the whole family and visitors to take off their shoes once they step inside your home.
Allergens are everywhere, so there is no point in obsessing over getting rid of them completely. The best thing you can do is follow the above tips to eliminate as many allergens as possible and ensure that you and your family are enjoying the best air quality you can get. You will be thankful you made these changes when you notice that your previous intensive allergic reactions are no longer a problem.