It's officially allergy season. Spring and summer mean sneezing, itching, coughing and sniffling for many of us. Home can become your allergen-free sanctuary during these difficult days. To help you make it a safe space, here are some great ways to keep seasonal allergens out of your apartment.
Dust the right way
What is the "right way" when it comes to dusting? From the top down. Dust, mold particles and pollen are top of the list when it comes to allergens. Make sure you clean from the top down to prevent redistributing the dust onto areas you've already cleaned. If you're still using an old fashioned feather duster, you may want to reconsider. A damp microfiber cloth will absorb and collect the dust, rather than simply moving it around. Don't forget to dust blinds, curtains and ceiling fans, too!
Keep beds and mattresses clean
You're not the only one that loves to get cozy in your bed. Beds and mattresses are prime spots for dust mites to gather and breed. A hypoallergenic mattress cover is a must-have for allergy sufferers. If your young children have allergies, the waterproof cover also protects your mattress from bed wetting. Remember to give your bedframe and headboard a good dusting every once in a while, too – especially if they're fabric covered.
Don't forget the pillows
Before you snuggle your face into your pillow for a good night's rest, allergy-sufferers will want to protect themselves from dust mites and pollen with hypoallergenic pillow protector covers. These covers are washable. Remember to wash your sheets and pillowcases about once a week in hot water. Check the tag to see if the pillow you use can be machine washed as well. If it can, you'll want to wash the pillow every 3 to 4 months. The change of the seasons can be a good reminder that it's time.
Prevent pollen from getting in
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Updated for the metric system, 28.35 grams of prevention is worth approximately 454 grams of cure. It doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but the idea behind it is sound. If pollen is your problem, then preventing as much of it as possible from penetrating the personal perimeter of your home is a good idea. Keeping windows closed can prevent pollen from blowing in. Wiping your shoes off on a mat and removing them at the door is another good idea. Keeping your indoor air temperature cool, and the humidity low, makes for an unwelcoming environment for dust mites and mold.
If you want to go the extra mile (1.6 kilometres) you can opt for an indoor air cleaner with a HEPA filter and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
We hope these tips for how to keep allergens out of your apartment helps you breathe a bit easier this allergy season.
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