Do you often find yourself sneezing, sniffling or blowing your nose? How about wiping teary, irritated eyes? If this sounds familiar to you, you likely have plenty of experience in dealing with allergies. Some people are lucky enough to only battle with allergies once a year in spring, but others suffer daily. They may face confusion as to why they can’t get any reprieve in their home, but the answer is simple — it’s allergens.
Having allergens in the home is a common nuisance for many, but you don’t have to co-habit with them any longer. Get rid of allergy-causing sources, and you’ll breathe easier once again. Before you start deep cleaning, however, you should visit your doctor — or even an allergist — to find out what causes your runny nose. Don’t spend hours tackling every area of your home without knowing the specific allergens that trigger your reactions.
After you pinpoint the cause, begin allergy-proofing your space so you can experience peaceful days once again.
1. Clean Your Bedroom
You spend most of your time in your bedroom. Though a large portion of this time consists of sleeping, being unconscious won’t protect you from irritants. You should clean all your bedding regularly. This list includes the pillowcases, comforter, sheets and pillows. Change your pillowcases every one to two weeks and wash your pillows every two or three months. If you’ve thrown your pillow in the washing machine before, you know the result won’t be pretty, so opt for the dry cleaner’s.
Get dust covers for your mattress and pillows for an extra layer of protection. You can choose from plastic or fabric material. If any other portion of your bed is fabric, such as the headboard, clean that too. Wipe your dressers, shelves and other hard surfaces that accumulate dust. Dust mites thrive there, and their droppings cause all your dust allergies.
2. Eliminate Sources of Mold
Clean your bathroom at least once a week. Wipe down surfaces that accumulate water, like the floor tiles near the bathtub or the sink. Seal gaps in your sink or tub and replace cracked tiles to prevent mold growth in these damp areas. Repair leaks inside and outside your home so water doesn’t collect in mold-favorable spots. If your refrigerator or cabinets contain expired food, throw it away. Plants are a lovely addition to the home, but their soil can grow mold, so don’t have too many.
Dehumidifiers and air purifiers succeed at cleaning the air of excess humidity, mold spores and other allergens. Try one in your home and see how different your air quality feels after implementing it.
3. Control Pests
Like dust mites, cockroaches provoke allergies and asthma with their droppings. They possess the additional weapon of incredible mobility, which spreads allergens at a faster rate than dust mites. Expend every effort to keep these pests out. Block off any crevices and holes insects could use to enter your place. Sweep crumbs off the floor, and avoid leaving food on counters. Cleaning your entire kitchen after a meal may not be feasible for you, but at least wash the dishes and clean up spilled food.
Periodically check behind kitchen appliances or large furniture. Cockroaches prefer to hide in these dark, small areas.
4. Reduce Pet-Related Allergens
Evicting your beloved pet even if you’re allergic to them is probably not an option for you. Luckily, you have alternatives for reducing the allergens pets spread while keeping them by your side. Make at least one area of your home a pet-free zone, preferably your bedroom. Don’t allow them to come in even if they give their best pleading eyes — you have to keep the area dander-free for the strategy to work.
Regularly clean their beds, blankets and other areas they frequent. Dander builds up in these spots, and this is especially true for carpeted floors. If you’re not keen on the idea of replacing your carpet for hardwood, you should routinely clean the carpet with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.
5. Avoid Dust and Pollen
Use a duster or a vacuum to remove dust around the house. Avoid bringing pollen into your home by keeping the windows closed and running the air conditioner instead. Keep a mat on your doorstep so you can wipe your feet before you come inside. You should also consider leaving your shoes at the door and designating a pair of house shoes to slip on once you get inside.
Take a Breath of Fresh Air
Removing allergens from your home allows you to relax in your space without the worry of allergy attacks or persistent symptoms. You’ll be glad you spent the time and effort to refresh your living space.
What are your favorite ways to rid your home of allergens?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
About the Author
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Guides for Brides, Hotel Online and more!
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