Allergy-Proof your home

 Home is where you spend most of your time and allergens are the last thing you’d want in your house. Here's how you can make your home more comfortable and hypo-allergenic for yourself and your loved ones!

Start with the bedroom

If dust is one of your problems, cover your mattress and pillows with zip-on dust mite covers. You spend so much of your day in bed—if you can just get a good night's sleep, you'll be off to a great start.

Thorough cleaning

While it isn’t a good idea to obsessively clean on a daily basis, if you are suffering from allergies it is worth it cleaning your home thoroughly once or twice a week. Use products with little or no chemical smells or odors and be sure to read all labels carefully.  Avoid substances that contain volatile organic compounds, gases, or other potential irritants. 

Mindful dusting

One of the best ways to control indoor allergens is by getting rid of dust. But be aware that dusting can actually make things worse by kicking up allergen particles into the air. Use a damp or treated cloth that attracts dust rather than scattering it, and consider wearing a dust mask when cleaning.

De-clutter

Try to minimize clutter in your home, since it tends to collect dust. Remove items that collect dust, such as knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books and magazines. Store children's toys, games and stuffed animals in plastic bins.

Get rid of carpets

 Remove carpeting and use hardwood or linoleum flooring or washable area rugs. If that isn't an option, use low-pile instead of high-pile carpeting and vacuum it weekly.  Wash area rugs and floor mats weekly, and shampoo wall-to-wall carpets periodically.

Ditch the drapes

Blinds or shades trap fewer allergens than fabric window treatments, but if you insist on curtains, opt for the machine-washable kind, which are easier to keep dust-free and make sure to wash them frequently.

Manage pet dander

The protein found in the saliva, urine, and dander of our furry friends is a common allergen for many people. Vacuum frequently and wash your pet at least once a week. Try keeping your pet out of your bedroom and off the furniture and designating certain areas of the house as pet-free zones.

Control mold

Molds thrive in damp areas such as the bathroom and basement. Mold spores can also float in the air like pollen and trigger allergies. To minimize them, replace wallpaper with tile or paint the walls with a mold-resistant paint.

Upgrade your vacuum cleaner

As with dusting, vacuuming can also send dust particles into the air and cause problems for anyone with allergies. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which can trap allergens and prevent them from spreading into the air. Try to vacuum at least twice a week.

Block the pollen

To prevent pollen from entering your home, keep your windows and doors closed until sunset because that’s when pollen levels are lowest. Changing your shoes, clothes and taking a shower when you come home may also help get rid of any pollen you may have picked up while outdoors.

Consider a room air filter

They'll capture airborne allergens but can't trap anything that's settled in rugs or furniture, which is where most allergens end up, but they can be effective if you're bothered by pollen. Also, don't forget to clean or replace the filters in your heating and cooling systems where the allergens may be trapped.