Achoo! Allergens are a real nuisance. Irritants like dust, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and even mold can trigger allergic reactions in both kids and adults. People with sensitive lungs, severe allergies, and asthmatic symptoms, as well as kids and even pets, are the most vulnerable to indoor allergens.
Does anyone in your family struggle with watery or itchy eyes, nasal congestion or runny nose, sneezing, or other inflammatory conditions? Get in gear and use the following simple steps to eliminate the many irritants present in your home and make it a healthy, allergen-free place for your family.
Reduce Indoor Allergies With Your HVAC Unit
● Upgrade To HEPA Air Filters
Your air cleaning devices are responsible for controlling your indoor air quality. Since the HVAC system works by re-circulating the indoor air, it is important to use air filters that can quickly trap even the smallest particles and don’t let them escape back into your indoor air. HEPA-style air filters are designed to efficiently remove airborne debris and small particles.
When using an air-cleaning device with HEPA filters, it is important to make the right airflow adjustments to prevent system damage. Seek help from a professional HVAC service company.
● Regularly Change Your Filters
Change your HVAC unit’s air filters every 1-3 months or earlier during months of heavy use. Clogged filters not only impact your unit’s efficiency but also cause the dust, pollen, and other allergens trapped in your air filter to spread throughout your ductwork and, consequently, your home.
● Routinely Clean Your Ductwork
Allergens are airborne. They can be pulled in by your HVAC unit and get re-circulated several times. Through this every-day process, dust and allergens collect within your duct channels. Dirty ductwork can contaminate your indoor air again and again, despite your best air cleaning devices or a strict home cleaning routine. If you don’t want these allergens hiding in your ductwork to make their way back into your home, clean them up.
You can hire a professional duct cleaning company to clean your ductwork of all the buildup using powerful vacuum equipment. The debris stuck on the interior surfaces is also cleaned by using specialized devices to give you the best results.
● Keep Humidity Level In Check
Too much humidity can activate dormant mold spores present everywhere and trigger mold growth. Low humidity levels, on the other hand, causes the allergens to stay airborne. Hence, try to achieve a relative humidity level of about 40% in your home. Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers to maintain normal humidity levels, which is crucial for improving indoor air quality and managing the severity of allergic reactions. Also, keep a check on leaks and water damages and fix them right away.
Simple Household Cleaning Chores Can Also Help Control Allergens
● Dusting Dos And Don’ts
Prevent the scattering of dust particles by using a damp cloth to do the dusting. Also, protect yourself from inhaling dust and allergens by wearing masks. Regularly declutter as the dust settles more quickly in cluttered spaces of your home.
● Vacuuming With HEPA Filters
Your regular vacuuming equipment can send irritants along with dust particles into the air and around your home. Consider using a vacuum device having HEPA filters, which are designed to trap even the smallest of particles and prevent them from spreading in your home.
● Switch To Green Cleaning Products
Your common household cleaners may have chemicals that can trigger or aggravate coughing, sneezing, and breathing problems. Green products are composed of plant-based ingredients that are safe to use around people sensitive to allergens. You can also concoct your own natural cleaning solution with ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon.
● Control Pet Dander, Pests, And Pollen
The protein found in the dander of our furry friends as well as in cockroach droppings is an allergen for many people. Keep pet dander in control by vacuuming frequently and bathing your pets regularly. Also, designate pet-free zones in your home and keep pets out of your bedroom.
Pollen, a common irritant active around spring, can enter your home. So keep your doors and windows shut, particularly during the night, to restrict their entry. Also, take a shower and change your clothes when you come home as they may be stuck in your hair and clothes. Hang your laundry inside to avoid pollen collecting on them.
