How To Allergy-Proof Your Home

If you are among the millions of Americans who deal with allergies, seasonal pollen and high outdoor mold counts are just the beginning of your woes. Your home should be a refuge from these pesky substances. However, most houses are filled with allergens that can trigger symptoms that rival hay fever in discomfort and intractability. If you don’t know how to allergy-proof your home, you will continue to fight a losing battle with these contaminants.

One of the top offenders for causing indoor allergy symptoms is a four letter word most home owners are very familiar with: D-U-S-T. Of course, dust is a catchall term that covers a lot of territory. Typical household dust particles can be made up of:

• Dirt fragments and plant debris (including pollen) tracked in from outside
• Clothing and upholstery fibers (cotton, wool, synthetics, etc.)
• Indoor building materials such as sheetrock and plaster that degrade over time
• The decaying exoskeletons of various types of dead bugs
• Dander and hair from humans and pets
• Dust mite droppings

Allergy-Proofing To Reduce Dust

If you are tired of itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, and headaches, you can take steps to cut the dust accumulation in your house. Ditch the carpeting, heavy drapes, and plush sofa. Get used to the smooth, clean lines of surfaces that can be wiped down with a damp cloth: tile, wooden blinds, and leather upholstery are a few examples. Any fabrics used in your home décor should be machine washable so you can toss them in the laundry.

Remember to change your HVAC filter once a month. Reduce the clutter in each room so dusting is easier. Store items you aren’t currently using (book collections, seasonal clothing, etc.) in plastic bins so they don’t collect or generate more dust. Allergy-proof bedding options such as pillow covers, mattress covers, etc. can be good investments. However, they are only a supplement for frequent washing of bedding materials at temperatures of 130o or higher.

HEPA filters offer a simple solution for taking dust out of the air completely. They can be purchased in a variety of sizes to handle different amounts of air volume. Matching the equipment to the dimensions of a room offers the best results. If you can only afford to put a filter in one room – make it the bedroom. This is where most people spend at least 8 hours out of every 24. Of course, if you buy an easily portable unit you can tote it into the front room for a relaxing evening in front of the TV too.

Biological Allergy Sources

Mold spores are near the top of the list of living organisms that cause severe allergy symptoms. Unlike pollen which is almost always introduced from outdoors, mold can live and thrive inside your home. All it needs is a little moisture and a mild climate. Mold thrives in the damp environment found in bathrooms. They also love to feast on food residue in your kitchen. Keeping these areas wiped down, sanitized, and dry goes a long way toward reducing mold growth. If your bathroom doesn’t have a ventilation fan, consider installing one.

Drip pans and coils in your HVAC system are another prime location for mold. Ultraviolet lamps installed as part of a whole-house air purification solution can zap this problem at its source. Find out about this option and much more when you request our free ebook.

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