Cleaning Tips for Allergy Relief

Our home is a personal haven, comfort zone, the place to plop down on the sofa, and relax. But how comfortable are you if you are constantly trying to get allergy relief? Unseen and unwanted allergens can turn a peaceful home into a house of horrors.

If you are stuffed up lately, you might be one of the many Americans that suffer from household allergies. Medications can sometimes relieve allergy symptoms, but eliminating the root and irritants from your home is a more significant and effective way to stop your headache, itchy eyes, and frustrating allergies overall. We complied the most effective ways to clear the air and help relieve your allergy symptoms.

Routine housecleaning can ease many allergy triggers and help relieve your annoying symptoms. On top of regular cleaning, some extra tips will help your allergy specific problems.

Here are a few important cleaning tips for allergy relief: 

• Vacuum often! Vacuuming twice a week will help keep dust and dirt out of your home. If your vacuum has a HEPA filter, that’s even better! This helps to catch even the small dirt particles without them flying into the air when your vacuuming, which could make your allergies worse.
• Eliminate clutter. Piles of boxes, papers, and clothing can trap dust and allergens like dust mites and cockroaches. Silver fish are also attracted to paper and cardboard. Take out your recycling often, and clean up messes daily.

• Use damp cloths to trap dust and allergens instead of knocking them into the air. A handy trick for sweeping up small crumbs and particles is to lightly spray the pile with water and wipe up, instead of sweeping into a dust pan. Dustpans lose a lot of dust and dirt into the air.

• If your home has small spaces between the floorboards, make sure to clean out the dust and dirt. Use a small toothbrush to get in-between the gaps, and a hose attachment vacuum to suck up any debris.

• Air quality is extremely important. Use a dehumidifier to reduce moist air and clean it every week week. Select an air filter that has a small-particle or HEPA filter.

• Wash bedding weekly. Make sure you wash your sheets and pillowcases at least 130 F. The heat will kill dust mites. If your child has allergies, you can do the same thing on a delicate cycle with their stuffed animals.

• Fight from the outside. Sweep or vacuum the outside areas of your home. The cleaner your path or patio is, the less likely someone is to track dirt and pollen inside. Clean your steps and sidewalk up to your home. Avoid wearing shoes in the house and encourage family members to take off their shoes when they get inside. The last thing you want after all your cleaning is outside pollen in your home.

• Remember to wear a mask when you clean. This will keep your eyes from itching as you kick up allergens into the air. It will also help to take a break and leave your home for a few hours after you cleaned.

Allergy-proofing your home won’t eliminate all allergies and symptoms, but the more effort you give it, the better you’ll feel in the long run. Allergy-proofing the home takes some effort and habit changes, but once you develop a routines and stick to a goal, you can breathe a a non-stuffed up sigh of relief!