Breathe Better: 6 Tips to Reduce Allergens in Your Home

Winter has officially started. During the season, many households will be spending most of their time inside their home. The house, unfortunately, can be a minefield of allergens that can trigger unpleasant reactions, such as eye irritation and sneezing.

Although these allergens can feel unavoidable to allergy sufferers, they’re not completely powerless in the fight against watery eyes and runny noses. You can take measures to keep the allergens levels low and make wintertime more bearable for everyone in your home.

Here are a few tips to help you improve air quality and minimize the allergens in your house:

1. Get a Better Vacuum Cleaner

When a vacuum cleaner begins to lose suction or develops other issues, homeowners typically bring this appliance to a vacuum service and repair technician. If you’re still sticking with an old or outdated vacuum cleaner model, however, you’ll want to consider looking for a replacement.

Not all vacuum cleaners in the market are equal. Some are better at reducing the airborne allergens inside a house. When shopping for this appliance, opt for a vacuum that comes with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. What sets this particular air filter unique is that it traps 99.97 percent of particulates that are greater than or equal to 0.3 microns.

Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter at least once a week will cut down the amount of pet dander, dust mites and other allergens in the air. This appliance can also prevent stirring up the dust when you’re cleaning the carpet.

1. Clean Your HVAC System Regularly

The HVAC system handles the cooled or heated air inside your house. Keeping it properly maintained and clean will go a long way in minimizing airborne allergens.

Get your air conditioning unit and heating system inspected and serviced by a technician at least twice a year. Also, check the air filters of these machines and replace them every three months or when they look filthy.

1. Reduce the Moisture Levels in Your Home

Common allergens, such as mildew and mold, flourish in poorly ventilated and damp environments. Prevent these allergens from thriving in your house by taking these steps:

• Invest in a dehumidifier and place it in areas that tend to build up moisture, such as bathrooms and basements.
• Keep your living areas as clean as possible.
• Refrain from installing carpet over a concrete floor. Concrete is a hard material that’s vulnerable to moisture. If you insist on placing a carpet on this flooring material, make sure you seal the concrete slab.

1. Use Hypoallergenic Casings in Your Bedroom

One of the most allergen-prone areas in your home is your bedroom. Dust mites can ruin your good night’s sleep.

You can minimize the indoor allergens in this room by using hypoallergenic casings on your pillows and mattresses. Then, make sure to wash all bedding every week. Also, you’ll want to avoid using decorative blankets or pillows, as they’re more difficult to wash.

1. Get Rid of Pests

Rats, flies, cockroaches and other critters can spread allergens all over your house. Eliminate these unwanted guests by doing the following:

• Hire a professional exterminator to kill or drive these pests away from your home.
• Use poison-free sticky traps, such as flypaper, to lure and trap flies, moths and centipedes.
• Mix cocoa powder or sugar with something deadly to these insects, such as diatomaceous earth, which could find on online stores like Amazon.

1. Create Pet-Free Areas in Your House

Although there’s nothing wrong with having a four-legged companion around the house, pets do produce allergens. If you have fido or kitty roaming around your house, make sure to create a pet-free area that’s free of pet dander. Also, wash your pet and their bedding at least once a week to minimize the allergen levels in the air.

Don’t let common allergy culprits affect the quality of life of your household. Reduce the allergens and improve the indoor of your home by following these six suggestions.