Top 10 Tips For Minimizing Indoor Allergies

Did you know? 1 in 5 Americans suffer from allergies and it is the country’s most common, yet overlooked disease. The most common allergies or as doctors call “allergens” are pollen, dust mites, mold and animal dander. Even if you may not have allergies at the moment, people can become allergic to anything they’re exposed to frequently. 

According to everydayhealth.com, ways to reduce allergens is first and foremost cleaning your home. Carried in through the air, allergens can be found on furniture, floors and other surfaces around the house. While no home is completely allergen-free, thorough cleaning on a regular basis can help reduce the number of allergens to which you are exposed. Here are 10 tips for minimizing indoor allergens.

1. Dusting Dos and Don’ts – Use a damp or treated cloth that attracts dust rather than scattering it, and consider wearing a dust mask when cleaning. Also, try to reduce clutter in your home, since clutter collects dust.

2. Wash Away Allergens – At least once a week wash pillowcases, sheets, and blankets in very hot water and dry them in a hot dryer to kill dust mites.

3. Use Green Cleaning Products – If you are sensitive to allergens, consider switching to environmentally friendly cleaning products as harsh chemicals in common household cleaners can aggravate or trigger allergies and asthma.

4. Reduce Pet Dander – You can reduce animal dander by vacuuming frequently and washing your pet at least once a week, or keeping them out of your bedroom and off furniture.

5. Prevent Mold and Mildew – To minimize allergens it is best to replace wallpaper and tile or paint the walls with a mold-resistant paint. Take time to scrub away mold after taking a shower or bath and replace any moldy curtains.

6. Keep Pollen Out – Try to avoid going outdoors in the early hours between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., when pollen is usually emitted from plants. Or take a shower as soon as you get home.

7. Control Pests - Use traps and baits rather than chemical pesticides and even consider using a professional exterminator. 

8. Use Humidity Controllers and Air Purifiers – Depending on the conditions inside your home, use either a humidifier or a dehumidifier as needed to keep the humidity at about 40 percent. During warmer months, run your air conditioner, which will also help control mold and dust mites by reducing humidity. 

9. Vacuuming – Especially in areas that accumulate more dust, such as carpeting and furniture, vacuuming can help control allergens around the home. However, as with dusting, vacuuming can also send dust particles into the air and can trigger a reaction to those allergic to dust mites. 

10. Switching to Hardwood Flooring – Replacing your carpet with hardwood flooring can help reduce allergens and help those who suffer from asthma. Not only does hardwood flooring require less maintenance, especially beneficial for those with a busy day to day schedule, but it also doesn’t harbor harmful particle matter as carpet. 

Are you interested in replacing your carpet for hardwood flooring? Or interested in learning more information on the benefits of hardwood flooring? Be sure to visit www.woodco.com or contact one of our Sales Representatives today!