Living with allergies can be tricky, even for those of us who have adapted with help from health providers and prescriptions. Allergens don’t just live outdoors. Dust mites, pet dander, mold, and household irritants can linger inside your home year-round.
Fortunately, the right cleaning habits can significantly reduce symptoms and prevent future allergic reactions. Continue reading for cleaning tips for allergies.
Cleaning for Allergy Relief
Deep cleaning and regular maintenance can free your home and body from allergens. Here are some cleaning tips to help you prevent and minimize allergic reactions.
1. Keep Windows Shut and Filters Fresh
Many people like to open their windows to let in the fresh, crisp air, but this can worsen symptoms for people with seasonal allergies. Run your HVAC van or air conditioning instead.
Your HVAC system can filter out allergens circulating through your air ducts. Just make sure you’re regularly changing these filters according to the directions given by the product brand or as recommended by HVAC professionals.
2. Watch Your Humidity Levels
Winter often makes the air in your home dry, so many use humidifiers to add moisture back to the air. Be sure to monitor the humidity level in your home and keep levels below 50% to discourage mold growth. It’ll also help reduce dust mites!
3. Change and Wash Your Bedding
Allergens will stick to you while you go about your day and transfer onto your pillowcases and sheets in the evenings. You can easily reduce the allergens in your home by changing and washing your bedding more frequently.
4. Vacuum
People with severe allergies should avoid carpeting as much as possible because it contains allergens. If you have carpeted areas in your home, vacuum them at least once a week.
5. Dust
Dust mites are another enemy of those with allergies, so it’s important to ensure you dust frequently, at least once a week. Use a microfiber cloth on bookshelves, curtains and blinds, ceiling lights and light fixtures, and other home areas to remove dust.
6. Reduce Clutter
Go through each room of your home (especially the garage, attic, and other spaces that aren’t cleaned often) and reduce the clutter as much as possible. Boxes, bins, and totes stacked up will collect dust, contributing to allergies.
7. Shampoo Carpets
Along with vacuuming carpets regularly, give them a good shampooing every few months to remove the built-up allergens. If you have asthma or severe allergies, you should shampoo more often. Rent a carpet cleaner from a local store or invest and purchase one to use as needed.
Cleaning Products for People With Allergies
If you struggle with allergy symptoms, upgrading a few of your cleaning tools can go a long way. Some products are designed to trap allergens more effectively and prevent them from circulating back into the air, helping you create a cleaner and more comfortable space.
People with allergies should consider using the following cleaning products:
- Allergen-proof bedding covers
- HEPA filter vacuums, which are designed to remove extremely small pollen and dust particles
- N95 masks to wear while cleaning to prevent inhaling any dust or allergens that get stirred up
- Air purifiers with HEPA filters or activated carbon filters
- Microfiber cleaning cloths and mops
- Allergen-blocking window and door screens
- Vacuum attachments for vacuuming upholstery
- Humidity control devices
- Scent-free laundry additives that help remove pollen and dust
- Anti-static dusters
You may also want to consider using natural liquid cleaning products. These are typically better for those with severe allergies. They don’t have the heavy fragrances and other additives that many cleaners do, and those ingredients can trigger asthma or allergic reactions for some people.
A Breakdown of How Seasonal Allergies Occur
What makes allergies often frustrating to live with is that they aren’t always consistent. Seasonal allergic reactions can be a significant burden to those who suffer, sometimes resulting in missing work or sleep.
During seasonal changes, trees, weeds, and grasses produce a powdery substance called pollen. Pollen is harmless for most people, but if you have seasonal allergies, your body mistakes it for something dangerous and tries to attack it.
Seasonal allergies can cause several unpleasant symptoms like:
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
Some people compare it to feeling like they have a cold, and it’s challenging to go about your everyday life when these symptoms take over. Medication is often helpful, but maintaining your living environment will go a long way toward keeping your symptoms manageable.
Managing Allergies and Seeking Help
Keeping a regular cleaning schedule can make a big difference in managing a variety of allergic reactions. Be sure to seek medical care if your symptoms are interfering with your ability to perform day-to-day activities.
There is a wide range of allergy medications available that can ease your symptoms. Wondering where to start? If you’re concerned about your symptoms, start a visit online with one of our Urgency Room providers.