Put pollen in its place: outdoors.
Pollen is one of the worst allergy-symptom culprits. But there are several ways to keep it from invading your home.
- Start with your backyard. One that’s free of troublesome weeds such as nettle, dock, and ragweed can help reduce the amount of pollen that gets into your home.
- Keep windows closed at night to keep pollen from drifting indoors.
- Hanging clothes out to dry gives them a nice, fresh smell, but be cautious because pollen can collect on your clothes as they hang on the line.
- If you’ve been outdoors, take a shower when you come in. This reduces allergens that might have collected on your skin and hair.
Don’t let mould take hold.
Indoor mould, or fungus, feeds on dampness and humidity.
- Clean your bathroom tubs, shower stalls and curtains, and windowsills monthly with a disinfectant to kill mold and mildew.
- Use a dehumidifier during humid weather. If you can keep the humidity in your home at less than 50 percent, moulds have less opportunity to thrive.
- Remove carpeting from concrete floors, especially in the basement.
- Repair areas that might be water damaged—roofs, basements, sinks, and pipes.
- Check your dryer vent to make sure it’s sending moist air outdoors.
- Install exhaust fans, limit houseplants, use air purifiers, and get rid of old wallpaper to reduce allergens.
Try mighty solutions to dust mite problems.
These small insects are visible only by microscope. Yet their droppings (not the insects themselves) can cause allergy symptoms year-round.
- Wash bedding—including the mattress and pillow covers—in hot water every two weeks.
- Remove as much humidity as possible from your home; dust mites thrive on moisture levels greater than 50 percent.
- Steam-clean rugs and carpets, because dry vacuuming doesn’t pick up dust mites. The heat of the steam kills the dust mites while cleaning the carpet.
- Here’s the best solution to reduce allergens: Cover your mattress, box springs, and pillows with allergen-proof covers (and wash regularly).
Life is dandier without dander.
We love our pets, but we don’t love the allergy symptoms that can come from their dander (small scales from the skin or fur of an animal).
- If you don’t want to keep your pet outdoors, consider at least keeping it out of your bedroom, where you spend at least a third of your day.
- Cat allergens can be the worst offenders. If you’d rather avoid medications, and don’t want to live without your feline friend, wash your pet’s bedding often. Also, reduce allergens by frequently vacuuming living spaces where your pet likes to hang out.
- Try dander-retardant products to treat your pet’s coat.
- Bathe your pet regularly.
