Have you been sneezing quite a lot lately? Or maybe your throat has been itchy and you’ve also been experiencing tightness in your chest/shortness of breath? If yes, then most probably your house is infested with allergens. And if not, you have all the reasons to take caution! You will not see them because they are so tiny, most of them being microscopic. Most people suffer from allergy infections all year round and without knowing it, they get treated and go back to the same house that caused these infections. Some of the most common indoor allergens include the following:
- Pet Dander
- Pollen
- House Dust
- Dust Mites
- Mold Spores
But how do you ensure your home is free from these agents of disease? Here are some 4 tips to keeping your home allergen free.
Reduce the Dust Generators
Carpets, curtains, and drapes are an important addition to your living room’s décor and other parts of the house. However, they often disintegrate to dust particles as their fibers break down. Additionally, dust particles will attach to them, making a cozy residence for the allergens. This makes it important to vacuum the carpets regularly and ensure that the drapes are cleaned more often. Doing away with the tattered and rarely used curtains can also be advisable.
Remove Clutter
The less clutter there is in your house, the fewer places for allergens to attach to. If you have a lot of unused items in your house, it may be time to get rid of them. This will actually make it easier for you to thoroughly clean your house. Most of these items are porous in nature like old magazines, newspapers, old clothes, and rags. Get rid of such things from your bedrooms, living room, and kitchen.
Clean Your Pets Regularly
Pets spend most of their time indoors than we actually do. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that they are regularly washed and brushed. Brushing can especially help reduce the amount of dander that your kitty or puppy sheds. It’s also important to vacuum the carpets they often lie on.
Monitor Humidity Levels
Most homeowners have invested in humidifiers to help prevent dryness in their homes. However, if unchecked, humidity encourages the growth of mold and dust mites. A humidity meter may come in handy to help keep the humidity levels below 50%. Additionally, the bathroom is one place of interest where mold will thrive. This is because it’s moist and warm most of the same time. You can also consider investing in a vent fan or a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture.
Bonus Tip: Replace Your Air Filters Regularly
If left unattended, air ducts and air filters in HVAC systems can be a common source of indoor allergens. With time, dirt, dust particles, pollen, and other kinds of debris tend to accumulate particularly on air filters. Some of these particles, including allergens, may be blown into your home along with conditioned air. This makes it important to regularly replace your air filters, making sure you get your replacement filters from a trusted provider like FilterBuy.
No doubt; keeping your home allergen-free can be a daunting task. This is primarily because it’s you against millions of allergens. However, practicing these tips can help keep them at bay, leaving you and your family in a healthier indoor environment.