Stop letting allergies make your life miserable. Learn some of the best ways to reduce allergens and improve indoor air quality in your home.
Experienced ear, nose, and throat specialists in Colorado, for example, can give you the best treatment for your allergy woes. However, the best cure is always prevention. So, before your allergies start acting up again, here are some tips that can save you from a runny nose and watery eyes:
1. Keep surfaces clean
Dust mites build up on surfaces that don’t get a once-over with the rag from time to time. Make sure you clean the dust off surfaces, furniture, and walls at least a couple of times a month.
2. Reduce carpets and drapes
Dense carpeting, thick mantels, drapes, and other linen are notorious collectors of dust mites. Avoiding heavy carpets and linen is best, but if you must have them, opt for thinner variants that you can wash easily.
3. Wash bedding frequently
Our blankets, bedspreads, pillows, and duvets collect not only allergens but a ton of bacteria as well. Therefore, it is recommended that you wash your bedding at least once every couple of weeks and vacuum your mattress twice a year.
4. Maintain a proper temperature
The temperature and humidity in your house determine the rate that dust mites and mold grow. To keep allergens at bay, keep the temperature between 68 and 72 F with humidity at 50% and less.
5. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner
Having a high-quality vacuum cleaner will make cleaning easier and more efficient. Splurge on a vacuum cleaner that can prevent allergens from going back in the air. Then, make it a habit to vacuum at least once or twice per week.
6. Close windows
Prevent pollen and other allergens from entering the house by keeping windows closed, especially if it’s the allergy season and if you have your air conditioner on inside.
7. Reduce pet dander
Proteins in pet dander, skin cells, saliva, and urine can trigger a person’s allergies or asthma. If you can’t keep your pet in its own house in the backyard, at least keep them out of bedrooms. It also helps if you wash their beds and toys regularly, and if you bathe them at least once a week.
8. Replace your air filters
It is recommended that you replace your air filters at least once every three months, or every month in the summer. Moreover, choose a HEPA filter that can filter out small particles and prevent allergens from circulating the air.
9. Declutter
Excess clutter can collect more dust and aggravate your allergies if you can’t keep up with the cleaning. Reduce the amount of clutter that you have by throwing them out, giving them away, or storing them in closed boxes.
Overall, keeping a clean house is the best way to prevent allergens from affecting the quality of your life. However, if you are still suffering from allergy or asthma symptoms despite following these tips, consult with your ENT specialist to learn other possible treatments.
