DIY & home

How to Remove Allergens from Your Home in 5 Steps

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People with allergies must take special precautions to avoid triggers like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. But how do you remove all of these things from your home? It’s not as simple as buying a new vacuum and getting to work. If you have someone in your home who suffers from allergies, there is no way to hide all of the allergens in your home. You get the idea that common allergens lurk in sofas, beds, carpets, pillows, and curtains. They are everywhere. The good news is that there are strategies anyone can use to make their home less hospitable to allergens. Here are 5 steps to remove allergens from your home and keep them out:

Use an air purifier.

Air purifiers that are easy to use and maintain are an excellent option for anyone with allergies. Air purifiers help remove the allergen load in different areas of the house, especially where people spend most of their time. They operate differently from an air conditioner or an HVAC system in that they don’t just push allergen particles around the room; they collect and remove them. Air purifiers are particularly useful in bedrooms and living rooms where people spend time with their windows closed. Why? Because they collect allergens like dust mites, pollen, and pet dander, many have built-in HEPA filters that remove at least 99% of these particles.

Don’t wear shoes inside of the house.

You might think it’s best to wear shoes in case you step outside and come back in, but it may be better to remove them inside. Many of us unknowingly carry allergens around in our shoes and bring them inside to deposit where we spend our time. When you don’t wear shoes inside, you can significantly reduce the number of allergens in your home. If you’re worried about tracking allergens like pollen or dust, consider getting a pair of slippers that you can take off when you’re inside.

Avoid drying clothing outside.

If you have allergies, you might have noticed that the more seasons you dry your clothes outside, the more they attract allergens. This is because plants like trees and bushes release large amounts of pollen into the air, and your clothes will absorb it. If you live in an area with many allergy-inducing plants, consider investing in a clothesline and drying your clothes indoors. Many allergy sufferers report great success with this strategy. If you want to dry your clothes outside but want to avoid the pollen that will come with that, be sure to dry them during the early morning or late evening when pollen counts are at their lowest.

Clean your furniture

You can’t just vacuum your furniture once and call it good. You must clean it regularly to keep allergens from building up and clinging to your furniture. If you have hardwood floors or tiles, you can vacuum your furniture using a crevice tool. If you have a couch or chair that you can flip over, clean the other side. Sweeping your furniture is another excellent option, but use a soft-bristled broom, so you don’t scratch the surface. 

Check your home for unwanted pests and critters.

Sometimes unfortunate guests take up residence in your home, which can cause many allergy problems. Cockroaches and mice are two of the most common pests that cause allergy problems. If you don’t have these issues in your home and suddenly start to experience allergy symptoms, it might result from an infestation. Avoid letting pests into your home by using traps, sealing cracks and other entry points, and regularly cleaning up crumbs and other food sources. If you discover an infestation, click here, as you’ll also need to take steps to eliminate it. 

Conclusion

Allergies can make your life very difficult, so it’s essential to take preventative measures. While the 5 tips above are great ways to reduce allergens in your home, they may not be enough if you have a particularly severe allergy. In this case, you may need to talk to your doctor about treatment options.