While everyone loves Spring, those suffering from allergies likely enjoy this time of year a little less than others. Here's are a few tips to help you beat those seasonal allergy-blues.
As trees, grass, and flowers push bloom, they release tiny grains of pollen in the air to fertilize other plants. Our body sees pollen as a danger for some of us and tries to fight it off with histamines, triggering the suffering.
Dust, mold, and pet dander all have similar effects to pollen. While over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines provide relief, so can implementing some seasonal cleaning practices around the house.
Wash and protect your bedding. You spend about eight hours a night in your bed; you don’t want to share it with dust mites. Combat these allergens by washing your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in the hottest water possible, per the manufacturers’ laundering guidelines; 130 F is ideal.
Declutter surfaces. Knickknacks are challenging to clean around. Their nooks and crannies collect and trap dust attributing to your indoor allergies. Clear your tabletops of books, magazines, and other items: store toys, games, and stuffed animals in plastic bins.
Keep the windows closed. While it’s tempting to let in the fresh air after a long winter, you’ll only invite in more pollen. Instead, rely on your air conditioning or fans while the pollen count is high. Take the time to clean out your window sills and frames as well.
Clean your floors weekly. Carpet, especially the high pile kind, is not an ideal floor covering for allergy suffers. If you can’t replace it with wood or vinyl, be sure to vacuum it at least once a week. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and damp mop all your hard or bare floors.
Wash your pets and pet bedding. While it’s fun to allow your pets outside, they often bring pollen and dander inside after a day of fun. Once your pup has returned inside, give him a quick bath and quickly vacuum where he lays. Finally, wash your pet bedding once a week.
Replace the furnace filter. Spring is a great idea to replace your furnace filter after the heating season, no matter if you have allergies or not. A clean air filter ensures you’re not just recirculating dust, dander, and pollen through your home.
Recalibrate your home’s humidity. With dry winter temperatures behind us, there’s no need to keep running your home’s humidifier. A humid house is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Maintain an indoor temperature of 68-degrees to 72-degrees and humidity level at 50 percent.
A good spring cleaning can go a long way to eliminating or controlling indoor allergens.
Dream Cleaning Team offers a unique spring cleaning service that traps and cleans dust, mites, and dander hiding in your corners and crevices. Using special HEPA-equipped vacuums, we rid your home of up to 99% of pollen and allergens.
With Dream Cleaning Team, allergies don’t stand a chance, and you’ll have a home that’s ready for relaxing. Contact us today for a free estimate.