Your home should be your safe haven from the outside world, where you can unwind and relax after a long day at work or school. Unfortunately, many homes are full of allergens and other irritants that make it difficult to breathe freely and sleep soundly. In addition to dust and dander, there are plenty of other allergens that may be present in your home, including mold, pet dander, and certain household cleaners. To reduce allergens in your home, keep reading!
Get Rid of Clutter
Getting rid of clutter can help make your home cleaner and therefore healthier for you and your family. It can also reduce exposure to dust and dander, which can trigger allergies and asthma attacks. Removing excess items from your home makes cleaning easier—meaning less time spent cleaning and more time relaxing in a clean environment. Here are some tips on how to get started decluttering.
- Set aside an hour or two when you won’t be interrupted by phone calls or visitors. You’ll want to give yourself enough time to complete decluttering without feeling overwhelmed or rushed.
- Make a list of each room you want to declutter in your home and keep track of how often you use the items in these rooms and how important they are. This can help you be more objective when deciding what stays and what goes.
- Don’t start with your basement or attic—start with places that are most visible, like your kitchen or living room to stay motivated to declutter.
- Ask for help when decluttering spaces like the basement or the attic so the decluttering process doesn’t get too overwhelming.
- Donate your unwanted items to a local donation center or thrift store, or sell the more valuable items on a platform like eBay or Facebook Marketplace for some extra cash.
Clean with Non-Toxic Products
During the spring season especially, you track pollen and dust into your home that can exacerbate allergies. Over time, dust and other particles build up in your space if you don’t stay on top of cleaning.
Using safe, non-toxic cleaning products in your home is a great way to reduce allergens. By reducing the number of cleaning chemicals you use, you will improve the air quality in your home and reduce irritation. With regular cleaning, your home will immediately have a reduced amount of dust, dander, and other allergens.
Try making your own cleaning products from items you can get in the grocery store like white vinegar, lemon, and baking soda. These products that you can find in your pantry are quick and simple alternatives to normal cleaning products that may trigger allergies or asthma.
Overall, maintaining a clean home will help to reduce allergens in your air and decrease allergy symptoms. It’s important to do a thorough cleaning every week in order to keep up with dust and dander. Vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to remove these contaminants from your home. With a good vacuum, you can reduce pollutants like pollen, dander, and mold spores that may trigger allergies or asthma.
Change Out Air Filters
Dust and dander build up in your home over time, both of which can be major triggers for allergies. Change out your air filters regularly and put HEPA filters in areas where dust and dander are likely to collect, like on top of your refrigerator or behind furniture.
The EPA recommends changing your air filter every three months. If you have pets, consider upgrading to a more effective filter that traps pet dander as well as other allergens (like mold spores).
Make sure to clean or replace filters regularly if you’re using a humidifier or dehumidifier. These devices may also require monthly maintenance; make sure to check for any specific instructions on how often they should be cleaned or changed out to keep them working effectively.
Use HEPA Air Purifiers
HEPA filters are great at removing dust and other allergens from your home and can lead to a significant difference in your overall health. If you have allergies, it’s a good idea to look into getting one of these for your bedroom as well as any other rooms where you spend most of your time.
You can also opt for a whole-house HEPA filter that cleans the air before it enters your home. This option is more expensive but will have a huge impact on reducing allergens in every room.
A great addition to HEPA filters is microfiber cloths: they attract and trap dust particles as you clean with them. It’s important to wash these microfiber cloths frequently—every day or two after use—to keep them from collecting dust.
Wash Bedding Regularly
We spend about a third of our lives in bed. That’s a lot of time for dust mites, mold, and pet dander to collect. Wash your sheets once per week in warm or hot water with a gentle detergent that is designed for those with allergies and sensitive skin—do not use bleach or fabric softener. Add in your blankets at least once per month. Some people go as far as washing their pillowcases every single day; if you like that idea, there’s no reason not to try it out! It might help you fight against allergens.
For even more protection, look into hypoallergenic covers for your pillows and mattresses. These materials can protect you from everyday elements without costing a fortune. Just be sure to read reviews before purchasing anything; some products are much better than others.
Keep Furniture Clean
Keeping all surfaces of your furniture clean can decrease dust and animal dander. Dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander are common allergens found in the home. Cleaning your home’s surfaces regularly can help keep these allergens down. Use a vacuum with a good filter or washable microfiber cloths to remove dust from bedding, pillows, and other soft surfaces.
You should also thoroughly clean hard surfaces such as tables and desks at least once a week. For example, you could use disinfectant wipes on tabletops and chairs. Vacuum upholstery regularly, including vacuuming underneath cushions and in crevices where dust can collect. And don’t forget about rugs—you can vacuum them with a hose attachment or hire someone to professionally steam-clean them to reduce allergens.
Invest in a Cleaning Service
If dust and allergens are plaguing your home, it might be time to call in professional help. Many allergy sufferers swear by a cleaning service that comes in to clean their home or apartment biweekly or monthly. Their services can include vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, dusting, and so much more.
Plan: B Cleaning offers residential cleaning services to help you keep your residential space clean and free from allergens. If your schedule is too hectic to clean your home, investing in a professional cleaning service is the way to go. Call today to schedule your residential cleaning service at (317) 572-8515 or visit https://www.planbcleaning.com/ to learn more!
Plan: B Cleaning serves the Fishers, Indiana area, including Carmel, Noblesville, Fortville, and Noblesville for all of your residential cleaning needs.