Allergens can cause havoc in your home, especially for those with allergies or respiratory conditions such as asthma. Many allergy sufferers know the risks of outdoor allergens such as pollen and mould. Yet allergens from dust mites, pets, home furnishings, and damp are often present in our homes and can have negative effects on our health if not removed and controlled.
The good news is that there are a number of things that you can do to remove or drastically reduce the number of allergens in our homes. Below are four simple steps to ridding your home of allergens and improving indoor air quality.
Vacuum Regularly
One of the easiest and often quickest ways to reduce and remove indoor allergens is by vacuuming regularly. You can make this step even easier and more effective by investing in a high-quality cordless vacuum cleaner that will help you get around the house quicker and more freely. Beware of using old, poor quality vacuum cleaners as they can often do more harm than good, circulating the dust and allergens you’re trying to remove into the air around your home. If you do suffer from asthma or severe allergies then it may be a good idea to wear a mask whilst vacuuming or cleaning. Doing so could stop any dust that is disturbed from triggering asthma or allergy symptoms.
Tackle Dust Mites
Many people are allergic to dust mite excrement and it’s one of the most common allergens inside our homes. One way to control and reduce the risk of allergens caused by dust mites is to take away possible dust mite habitats. This means keeping shelves, cupboards, and surfaces around the house clutter-free, clean and free of dust, opting for hard floors instead of carpeting where possible and installing blinds instead of curtains. If you are unable to do all of these things throughout your house, at least try to make some if not all of these changes in areas such as the bedroom. If you must have carpets or drapery, ensure you vacuum and wash them regularly.
Control Allergens Caused By Pets
Allergens from pet hair or dander and skin cells can lead to allergy symptoms and therefore many allergy sufferers tend not to allow pets inside their homes. Long-haired animals can also bring outdoor allergens such as pollen into your home via their coats. Yet if you do have a household pet there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of them adding to an allergen problem in your home. Firstly, keep pets out of carpeted areas and bedrooms. Also, be sure to clean the areas your pet frequents as often as you can. Brushing, grooming, and bathing your pets and washing their bedding frequently can also help reduce pet allergens.
Keep Windows and Doors Closed
Pollen and other harmful outdoor allergens can enter your home via your doors and windows, so a fool-proof way to stop this from happening is to keep them closed as often as possible. Use ceiling fans and air conditioning to cool and ventilate your home in the warmer months, but be sure to change air conditioning filters regularly. If you really want to open your windows and doors to let fresh air inside your home pick a time when the pollen count is low or certain times throughout the day when outdoor allergens are not as prominent. Using an extractor fan whilst cooking will also reduce the need for you to open windows to air the kitchen out during or after cooking and is a simple way to reduce and remove allergens caused throughout the cooking process.
The four tips mentioned above prove that reducing the number of allergens inside your home and therefore improving your indoor air quality doesn’t have to be an overcomplicated task. By simply keeping your home clean you can reduce the risk of indoor allergens triggering symptoms of allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.
