Spring has sprung, and while that means longer days, blooming flowers, and rising temperatures, it also means the onset of seasonal allergies. Whether you’re most affected by tree, grass, or weed pollination, the Brown and White says Lehigh Valley is a tough spot for allergy sufferers. Luckily, there are steps you can take to make your home a safe haven.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Wipe down all surfaces collecting dust regularly. Wash drapery, pillowcases and bedding with hot water about once a week. When it comes to suction efficiency, low-quality vacuums won’t cut it – they actually put dust back into the air. Vacuum mattresses, rugs and upholstered furniture weekly with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® vacuum that includes a small-particle or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Follow up by deep cleaning with a carpet shampooer and using upholstery attachments frequently to remove trapped allergens beneath fabric surfaces.
Your Furry Friends
Bathe pets more often this time of year with the warmest water possible. This will reduce the allergens that cover their coats and minimize the dander they shed in your home. Washing pets is especially important after they’ve been outside. Keeping pets out of bedrooms and off of bed linens will also help to eliminate inhaling airborne allergens while sleeping.
Fresh Air
Although a fresh spring breeze can feel fantastic, for asthma and seasonal allergy sufferers it can be suffocating. Keep windows closed and run the air conditioner, auto fan setting, or invest in a high quality CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® device. Clean or replace filters in central heating and cooling systems and air conditioning units monthly. Effective air cleaning devices can help reduce interior humidity and eliminate the breeding grounds of dust mites and mold. When building your Signature Home, consider routing your ventilation system to blow clean air toward your face while you sleep. Maintain interior temperatures between 68 F and 72 F and use a basement dehumidifier to reduce dampness.
Allergy-Proofing Home Interiors
When choosing floor coverage, consider hardwood, tile, concrete, or even laminate products. They are all allergy friendly and help eliminate the risk of accumulating dust mites and molds. If you do want to carpet your floors, go for low-pile carpeting instead of high-pile, and look into hypoallergenic carpeting, like this one from Mohawk Flooring. For heavy traffic areas of the home, incorporate washable area rugs. They collect less allergens. Leather, wood, or metal interior furnishings are also allergen friendly options, as opposed to upholstered furniture. Be picky when it comes to the type of potting soil and houseplants placed in your home, and avoid overwatering to reduce moisture and the formation of mold.
Learn more about how to alleviate the symptoms associated with seasonal asthma and allergies and how to allergy-proof your J.T. Maloney Signature Home by checking out the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
