Now that winter is here, our homes are shut tight against the cold elements outside. Staying inside and breathing heated air is a sure-fire way to aggravate indoor allergies. But contrary to popular belief, you don\u2019t have to strip your home down to the bare bones to eliminate all allergens, nor do you have to be a cleaning fanatic. There are, however, several things you can do to reduce the occurrence and severity of allergy attacks.<\/p>\n
If you suffer from mold, dust mites, pet dander and\/or have asthma, these three simple steps are a good (and easy!) place to start:<\/p>\n
1. Be sure your home has good ventilation. Recycled air gets stale and filled with allergens. An infusion of outside air mixed with indoor air helps clean it and keep it fresher.
\n2. Keep your thermostat set between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Too hot and mold can grow, too cold and sensitive lung and sinus tissues can become more easily aggravated.
\n3. Keep your indoor humidity level at a mid-range \u2013 between 40 and 50 percent. Higher can create an environment for dust mites and mold which love high humidity, too low and sinuses can dry out and even bleed.<\/p>\n
It may seem counter-intuitive that just following these three steps will help, but they do. And they are far cheaper than buying an expensive filtration system or becoming obsessed with allergy proofing your home. It\u2019s always easier to start with the simple things and move into more extensive options as the need arises.<\/p>\n
DEFENDING AGAINST DUST MITES<\/p>\n
Bedding
\nWe spend about one-third of our lives in the bedroom. It\u2019s no wonder that this is often the room where allergy attacks frequently occur, if the occupant has dust mite allergies. Dust mites frequent bedrooms because it\u2019s a veritable feeding ground for them. As our bodies naturally shed skin cells, the dust mites are there to gobble them up. This means dust mites live in the bedding we snuggle into each night. Dust mites are pretty ugly, so the thought of sleeping with thousands of them is a bit discomforting.<\/p>\n
To rid your bedding of dust mites, you\u2019ll need to clean it weekly in water that\u2019s at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, dust mites don\u2019t stand a chance! In order to be able to wash your bedding, though, it must be machine washable. That means no down comforters, which are usually not a great choice for people with allergies anyway. Another consideration is the bulk of the bedding. A big, fluffy (non-down) comforter may feel great to cover up with, but it could be impossible to wash at home. That means a trip to the local laundromat \u2013 and who has time for that? You might be better off using several layers of blankets instead of one big one.<\/p>\n
Vacuuming
\nWhile we\u2019re big advocates of wood and tile flooring, carpeting is the choice for many homes. Carpeting is harder to keep clean because it has so many tiny surfaces, but it is possible. A vacuum with a HEPA filter will trap many of the allergens and prevent them from flying around the room. A whole house vacuum system, where the canister is located outside the main living area, is an ideal (but expensive) way to prevent this.<\/p>\n
Vacuuming inherently causes dust mites, insect debris, pet dander and mold to come loose from where they were resting, so there will always be some airborne particles to contend with. If you have severe allergies, let someone else do the vacuuming while you get out of the house for at least an hour. And don\u2019t forget to vacuum upholstered furniture and draperies while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n
ALLERGY-REDUCED AIR QUALITY<\/p>\n
Forced Air Heat
\nIt\u2019s common for homes to have forced air heat, which is pushed through ducts throughout the home. These ducts can become traps for allergens, as dust accumulates over time. Having a thorough duct cleaning can reduce the spread of many types of allergens including pet dander, dust mites, mold and other invisible particles.<\/p>\n
Using a HEPA furnace filter will trap many allergens at the source before they get into your ductwork. Many can be re-used after being cleaned. They are more expensive than traditional filters, but may be worth the extra cost, especially if it results in fewer allergic reactions.<\/p>\n
It is possible to filter the air coming from the ducts by placing duct filters behind the grate of your outlet in each room.<\/p>\n
Humidifiers
\nExcessive dryness can become a problem in the winter. To learn if your home has low humidity, you can purchase a humidistat to measure the percentage of water in the air. You\u2019ll also know your home is too dry if static electricity becomes a problem. As noted previously, 40 to 50 percent humidity is a good range. Humidifiers can solve the issue of dryness, but can also create new problems if they aren\u2019t cleaned properly between fillings. Mold and bacterial growth is encouraged, especially in systems that \u201cwick\u201d water up to a dispersal fan. A simpler solution to low humidity is keeping your thermostat set low. This encourages natural moisture to develop in the home and reduce the need for a humidifier.<\/p>\n
Dust Covers
\nDust covers have come a long way since they were first introduced. Once only available in plastic, technological advances have made newer, more comfortable fabrics available. These make it possible for air to flow through, but trap allergens. And they don\u2019t crinkle when you move! Consider dust covers in rooms where you spend a good deal of time, such as the bedroom. You\u2019ll want to cover the pillows, mattress and box spring to ensure the dust mites and other allergens are trapped.<\/p>\n
MANAGING PETS<\/p>\n
Today, many homes have pets. In fact, multiple pet ownership is at all-time high. Although re-homing the pet(s) may be necessary for the health of the allergy sufferer, other steps can be taken to reduce pet allergens.<\/p>\n
Keeping the pet in rooms where dander will find few places to hide (such as the kitchen) is an option. Making sure the pets don\u2019t sleep on your bed will reduce what they might leave behind. Vacuuming frequently helps clear out pet dander and having your animals groomed on a regular basis will cut down on hair and skin cell shedding.<\/p>\n
Reducing allergens in your home isn\u2019t impossible, but you must remain vigilant so things don\u2019t get out of control again. Start simply and move into the more expensive solutions if the initial ones don\u2019t work. There are a wide range of options available, so do your homework, talk with your allergist or primary doctor and research online.<\/p>\n
Basic house cleaning and dusting is really a must, and if you are an allergen sufferer you can not let basic maintenance cleaning lapse. Your home should be dusted at least once every 4 weeks, more often is obviously better. You should vacuum weekly, and damp mop all hard surfaces regularly as well, at least once a week is best. If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to help with some of these tasks. Obviously we can help if need be, and you can obtain an instant estimate and more information about professional green house cleaning at www.betterlifemaids.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Now that winter is here, our homes are shut tight against the cold elements outside. Staying inside and breathing heated air is a sure-fire way to aggravate indoor allergies. But contrary to popular belief, you don\u2019t have to strip your home down to the bare bones to eliminate all allergens, nor do you have to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n