Allergies are on the rise. Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) estimates that around 20-30 percent of people around the world are allergy sufferers. Many of these allergens are new, with pollution becoming a growing contributor to more people developing allergy symptoms.
Many allergens are difficult to avoid in daily life. The one place where you DO have full control of your environment is your home. Getting rid of irritants from your home is often an effective way to take control of allergies instead of resorting to medication to relieve symptoms such as stuffy nose, migraines, itchy eyes, and shortness of breath.
Below are the sevens ways to making your home allergy-free.
1. First, Know What Triggers Your Allergies
How do you do this? A good place to start is with a visit to an allergist who will help you to focus on better allergy prevention measures. The most common irritants are dust mites, mold, pollens, and pet dander.
According to Laurie Ross, an editor of Allergy and Asthma Today, there is no point in making changes at home if you do not address your particular allergies. You might be allergic to cats, while needlessly keeping your windows closed to protect against pollen.
2. Start with Your Bedroom
Once you have insight into what activates your allergies, you need to start working your way around your home getting rid of those specific allergens. It is important to start with your bedroom.
If dust is one of your major issues, cover your mattress and pillows with zip-on dust mite covers. By doing so, you will be taking the first step to a good night’s sleep.
3. Remove the Wall-to-Wall Carpet and Padding in Your Home
If it is possible, replace the wall-to-wall carpets and padding with hardwood or another impervious flooring system, especially in the bedroom. Rugs, unlike bare floors or hardwood floors, hold as much as five times their weight in dirt.
Carpets and padding are a catch-all for dust, pet hair, bacteria, mold, allergy-causing organic compounds, and many other types of allergens clinging to the fibers. By walking across your carpet daily, you re-release all of those impurities into the air.
4. Make Sure That You Do Not Track in Trouble in Your Home
You need to lay down at least two doormats at each entryway; one on the outside, and the other on the inside. It helps keep outside irritants from finding their way into your lovely home.
You can also have your family and guests take off their shoes when they enter so that they do not spread allergens around.
5. Invest in Top Quality Cleaning Products and Appliances
Cleaning Products
Green cleaning products are inexpensive, effective and good for the environment. It’s important to look for green cleaning products that are made using sustainable manufacturing practices. As well, look for naturally-derived, non-toxic ingredients that don’t negatively impact the environment.
Cleaning Appliances
Vacuum cleaners are one of the most effective ways to help you eliminate allergens. If your system does not have a HEPA filter, replace it with one that does. They are uniquely designed to trap both large particles and ones as tiny as 0.3 microns. This makes them able to capture most allergens.
Mark Johnson from ByPurify suggests investigating the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair if you have cats or dogs as they often trigger allergies.
6. Replace Your Air Filters
Do not forget to clean or replace the filters in your heating and cooling system. You can do that by following the manufacturers’ instructions on timing and frequency. Check that they have HEPA filters to ensure that the air you are breathing has been purified.
If it is too costly or cumbersome to replace your central heating filters often, then have a look at the different options for air purifiers. There are many designed specifically for filtering out mold, dust and other allergies.
7. Focus on Your Bathrooms and Minimize the Mold Issue
There are over 100,000 species of mold, and their favorite place to live in is your bathroom. Bathrooms need to be cleaned regularly; dry off surfaces that collect standing water, and make sure it is well ventilated. Also, replace the broken tiles and re-caulk sinks and tubs every few years to reduce mold growth rates behind your walls.
Once you know what is triggering your allergies, you can take control and make changes to your home environment. This will dramatically reduce the impact that allergens have on your health.
Sources:
http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/
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