Spring is in the air! Snow is melting and green is spreading. However, with that warm weather comes allergies! Did you know that allergens can lurk in and around your home and worsen your symptoms. Luckily, these hiding allergens can be removed to help alleviate symptoms!
#1 Learn Your Triggers
Indoor and outdoor allergens need to be taken care of differently. It is important to understand what allergens trigger your families symptoms. If indoor allergens like dust, mold, and pet hair are causing a reaction airing out your home by opening up windows can help. Grass, tree pollen, or other outdoor allergens are lessened by keeping your homes windows shut.
Some common triggers to investigate:
- Tree, grass, and weed pollen
- Cat and dog dander
- Cockroaches
- Dust Mites
- Mold Spores
#2 HVAC Filters
If you have severe allergies, change your HVAC filter every 90 days, or 6-12 months without serious allergies. Your MERV rating should be between 7-12. A higher MERV does not mean better. If your MERV rating is too high you will have reduced airflow which can make your allergies worsen. Finding the highest rating that still maximizes airflow for your system to help your families health.
#3 Don’t Forget Shower Curtains
Spring cleaning tip: wash or replace your shower curtain! Most shower curtains allow you to throw it in the wash and then hang it up to dry. By washing or replacing your shower curtain every so often you can eliminate mold from the shower that can spread to other parts of the home. Reducing moisture and humidity in the bathroom can also help prevent mold growth.
#4 Wash Your Bedding
Your bedding should be washed every week because of all the skin flakes, dust, and dust that our sheets collect. If your allergies worsen at night, cleaning your pillows and mattress may help.
#5 Dust Everything
You may dust your shelves, but when was the last time you dusted your door frame, window frame, ceiling fan, or window sills? Dust builds up everywhere, and dusting regularly the hard to reach places can make a big impact on your Spring allergies.
#6 Dry Home = Happy Home
To help eliminate mold spores and dust mites, try and keep the house at 50% relative humidity or lower. Dry and cooler homes are less likely to be such big triggers for allergens.
#7 Trap Dust
You are more likely to breathe in dust when it is pushed into the air. Unfortunately, feather dusters can do just that–push dust around. By using a damp paper towel or cloth you can trap the dust so it can actually be disposed of, not just pushed around.
#8 Eliminate Trapped Allergens
Your carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture should be vacuumed weekly and professionally cleaned every 4 months. This is because they act like air filters in your home trapping allergens.Chem-Dry Four Seasons is a professional carpet, rug, and upholstery cleaning company that is ready to assist your spring cleaning efforts!
#9 Use Natural Cleaners
Believe it or not, strong or scented chemicals can worsen your allergies. Natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
#10 Remove Any Sitting Water
Mold grows very easily in standing water. If mold is a common allergen trigger for you and your family, checking for leaks around the house can help. Finding and eliminating any leaking or standing water sitting around can eliminate mold allergy symptoms.