Living with allergies can be frustrating at times, especially when you experience symptoms like sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes at home. From dust mites to pollen, pet fur and mould – unfortunately allergens like these can build up and grow in our homes if we’re not careful.
Thankfully there are many things we can do to help keep the allergens at bay. A bit of time and effort can make a huge difference to the air quality and overall health of our homes.
Here are some of the most effective ways to reduce allergens in your home.
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Keep it clean
The simplest (although not always the easiest) thing you can do to reduce allergens at home is to clean your home well and clean it often. Vacuum your floors thoroughly once a week and remove dust from surfaces around your home with a damp microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to clean ceiling fans, blinds and vents too.
In the bedroom, make sure you wash your bedding once a week, including your pillows. Use dust covers and mattress covers to keep your bedding as clean as possible. Consider reducing the number of ornaments you have around the home as they can collect a lot of dust.
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Use your air conditioner
Air conditioners are great at keeping us cool during summer (and warm during winter for reverse cycle air cons) but did you know they can also help improve the air quality in your home?
A filter inside your air conditioning unit helps remove dust, pollen and other particles from the air, providing you with clean, healthy air. What’s more, air conditioners help dehumidify the air (more on that in number 3).
It’s important to regularly clean or replace the filters inside your air conditioning system in order for the air quality to stay healthy. A regular air conditioning service is also recommended to make sure your air conditioner keeps working how it should.
If you don’t already have AC, consider split system air conditioning in Mandurah, as this can be one of the most affordable and effective options for staying cool and improving air quality in your home.
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Dehumidify
Many allergens spread and grow in humid environments. You can counter this by lowering the humidity levels in your home. Your air conditioner will help with this somewhat but if you feel that you need even more dehumidifying power, try a portable dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers help remove moisture from the air. A good humidity level to aim for is 45% to 50%. This will help reduce the growth of mould, dust mites and other allergens. Lower humidity levels can also help relieve symptoms for people who have asthma.
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Close your windows
Ventilation is really important for people with allergies. However, leaving your windows open can invite irritants inside your home such as pollen and dust. During warmer and more humid weather leaving your windows open can create a conducive environment for mould, dust mites and other allergens to grow.
If your home feels hot and stuffy try to rely on your air conditioning to circulate the air inside your home instead of opening the windows.
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Avoid mould build up
Mould is a common source of allergies. Considering that it likes to grow in moist, warm environments, it’s important to prevent mould build up in the bathroom and the kitchen.
Use an extractor fan to prevent steam from building up when you’re having a shower or cooking food. Ensure you clean these rooms regularly with mould-killing cleaning agents. Mould can spread quickly so it’s important to clean up any signs of mould when you spot them. Don’t forget to wash your shower curtains regularly and replace them if necessary.
In Summary
We want our homes to be safe and healthy places where we feel great. While we can’t control everything, there are a number of ways to help reduce the spread of allergens in our homes. Try a combination of everything above and see what difference it makes for you. Are there any other strategies you’ve found that work for you?
