Cleaning with allergies is always a challenge. To prevent an allergy attack, you have to wear a mask, use gloves, etc. And after all of that, you’re home just seems to collect allergens out of nowhere! The best way to prevent that, or at least slow it down, is to make your home as allergy-free as you can. Is this even possible?? Yes! Well, mostly. You’ll still have to dust (UGH) but follow our 5 tips on how to get your home allergy-free and you’ll be breathing easier in no time!
1. Ditch the Carpets and Curtains
We realize this may be impossible for you to do if you’re in a rental, but if you can, get rid of the carpet! They are notorious for holding on to big allergens like dust, pet dander, pollen, dirt, etc. Walking around lets all this stuff fly, which makes your immune system go on high alert. Not good! Replacing the carpet with hard floors will make a HUGE difference in your air quality. Just remember to lay down door mats to wipe your shoes on. In fact, take off your shoes at the door so you aren’t tracking in all the dirt, germs, and allergens that you’ve been walking on all day. Curtains also can hold on to allergens so, if you’re able, switch them out for blinds.
2. Mattress Covers
Dust mites love to live in your mattress. It’s gross to think about, but true! If dust sets you sneezing, make sure you are using a zip up cover for dust mites on your mattress. Wash your bedding often to get rid of dust mites and such. Also, if dust doesn’t make you sneeze, please let us know your secret!
3. It’s All About the HEPA
If you haven’t been using HEPA filters, then you have been missing out! They are made to trap allergen particles as small as .3 microns, which can really help. They make them for most vacuums and also air conditioning filters.
4. Clean Your Filters
Which brings us to this point: CLEAN YOUR FILTERS! You need to be replacing your air conditioning filters at least once a month, preferably with a HEPA filter, as well as filters for your furnace and air purifiers if you have them. Get into the habit of paying rent/mortgage and changing you filter.
5. Get an Air Purifier
While they can’t help with allergens that have made their way to the floor, they can help with pollen and dander. They also make HEPA filters for these marvelous machines as well! They come in various sizes for design but also for room size. They can dry out the air though so make sure to run a humidifier in the winter, which you’re probably doing anyway.
Using these tips to get your home allergy free is just a head start on keeping your sneeze attacks at bay. You need to keep on a cleaning schedule and stick to it as well. You’ll find that you will be breathing so much easier! What do you do to help with allergies in your home? Let us know in the comments below!
XOXO,
Squeaky Green House Clean