Allergies can be a really big problem for those who suffer, especially when they strike in the comfort of your own home and make life a misery. It could be dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, or almost anything else, but the fact is that these allergens can easily find their way into your home and living spaces, triggering nasty and uncomfortable symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes – and those are the more mild ones.
The good news is that you don’t have to suffer because there are a number of ways you can stop the problem (or at least reduce it) and have a much healthier indoor environment to enjoy. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about what you can do.
Keep Your Home Clean And Dust-Free
One of the easiest things you can do (and something you’ll probably be doing anyway, at least now and then) is to keep things clean. Dust mites are a common cause of indoor allergies, and they’ll love living in your bedding, carpets, and even your upholstered furniture. If you can clean everything on a regular basis, you’ll stand a good chance of getting rid of whatever it is you need to get rid of. Plus, your home will generally be a nicer place to spend time in anyway.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Ideally, you should be using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture dust, pet hair, and pollen that can easily settle on carpets and rugs, and it’s also a good idea to wash your bedding weekly. When it comes to dusting, use a damp cloth because that stops dust particles from spreading and makes the end result a better one.
Airborne allergens can really be a massive issue – after all, you’ve got to breathe, and if they’re in the air in your home, you’re breathing them in whether you like it or not. However, you can make things better if you improve the indoor air quality, and that’s quite easily done.
One thing you can do is invest in an air purifier, which basically does what you’d think it does – it purifies the air. Indoor plants can do the same thing, though, so they might be a better option if you want a bit of greenery. It’s also wise to get proper evaporative cooler maintenance carried out, as that’s going to prevent mould and mildew from growing. Then there’s your general ventilation; regularly opening windows doors means fresh air can circulate, and that can make a big difference (although be careful if you’re allergic to pollen, as it might make things worse).
Manage Pet Allergens
So you’ve got a pet who you love dearly, but you also have allergies. What can be done? The issue is that pet dander is quite a common allergen, and no matter what kind of furry friend might live in your home, it’s going to affect you in some way – even if you’re not allergic to pet hair, it can trap dust and pollen and bring it into your home, making the indoor air quality worse and potentially triggering your allergies.
That’s why you need to groom your pets regularly and bathe them, too, if that’s possible (that’s easier said than done sometimes, but it’s a good idea to try). And, although you might not like the idea, you should also keep your pets off the furniture as that’s how allergens are spread.