How to reduce Household Allergens

How to reduce Household Allergens

Suffering with allergies? It can be a bit overwhelming to say the least. Our everyday lives produce allergens.

Some say that living here in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, or by the beach in general, can provide relief for hay fever as the ocean breeze tends to blow allergens away, but that may not be enough for some of us.

What you can do

• If you have the means, it is a good idea to get tested to see which allergens are causing you the most trouble. It can make it easier to focus on and target which areas of your home to tackle fiercely.
• If you want to make an all-encompassing effort, here are some easy things you can do regularly:
• Place 2 mats in each doorway, one inside the door and out – or you can have everyone remove shoes before entry.
• Limit yourself to a few house plants.
• Vacuum rugs and furniture once a week using a hepa filter which is designed to trap allergens, so they are not re-released into the air.
• Cover your mattress and pillows with zippered allergen reducing covers.
• Wash your bedding weekly in hot water and dry it completely.
• Trade draperies for blinds or machine washable window dressings that can be vacuumed frequently and washed regularly.
• Prevent pollen from getting inside by keeping windows and doors closed. Use air conditioning in warm weather to control dust mites and reduce humidity. Change filters often.
• Make sure you are replacing all air filters as recommended, using filters designed to trap allergens.
• Wear a mask while cleaning. Dust with a damp cloth or one treated with cleaner. Leave the house for a couple hours after cleaning.
• Fix all leaks and other causes of damp areas.
• If you see mold on a surface, clean it immediately. Wear a mask and clean the surface each week to keep it from returning.
• Don’t run your showers for a long time before bathing.
• Check and keep up the caulking in your bathrooms and replace any broken tile to reduce mold.
• Check under your kitchen sing for leaks and dampness. Also look for any roach nests or rodent droppings. If you have trouble with pests, do not leave food or garbage uncovered. Use poison baits, boric acid and traps instead of chemicals. Chemicals may irritate your sinuses and asthma.

You can also:

• Trade your carpet and padding for floors with a hard and easily cleaned surface.
• Replace circulating fans with exhaust fans making sure damp air is directed outside of the home.
• Purchase an air filter for as many rooms as you prefer but make sure it does not produce ozone which is extremely irritating to people with allergies.
• Use humidity monitors such as a hygrometer to check the humidity in your home. It should be no higher than 60. If it is, you might want to invest in a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers help to reduce allergens such as mold and dust mites.

Going even farther

For people with specific severe allergies to pets, doctors may recommend that pets not be acquired, but some of us cannot live without them so…

It’s suggested that you keep your pets out of the bedroom where you spend at least a third of your time.

Cover the vents with dense material like cheese cloth – pet allergens are sticky.

Wash their beds and toys frequently.

Make sure they are bathed and groomed often but if you do it yourself you want to wear a mask.

And finally, … no smoking! Stay away from second-hand smoke.

We can only do what we can do but even just doing some of these things will reduce allergens and help you to be more comfortable and to enjoy your home!