Allergens in Your Home

You may be one of the millions of Canadians who suffer from allergy problems now that allergy season has arrived. Reducing allergens in your home is essential for our health and comfort. When allergies flare up, you can experience signs ranging from itchy eyes and a runny nose to more serious reactions. Such as trouble breathing or chest tightness, which may necessitate medical attention.

Your first instinct may be to limit your time outside. In order to minimize pollen exposure and the risk of allergy symptoms. Your house, on the other hand, could be a source of unwanted visitors. Such as dust mites, mould, and pet dander.

It’s important to identify the cause of your symptoms. As well as ensure a safe home atmosphere in order to protect yourself and your family from potential allergies. We understand that keeping on top of spring cleaning can be difficult. There are plenty of responsibilities that come with caring for your home. As a result, we’ve put together some simple tips to help you reduce your reaction to allergens at home.

Clean Floors to Remove Allergens

It’s possible to carry outdoor allergens into your house on your shoes or your pet’s paws. Even in the cleanest of houses. It’s likely that the dust in your fluffy, plush carpet or rug is swept up into the air. Every time the floors are stepped on, dust is being dispersed into the air.

Sweep and scrub hardwood floors on a daily basis to help minimize allergens. Whether or not the hardwood floors are sealed will determine the right way to clean them. Using water to clean an unsealed floor may cause the wood to swell and warp. If you have rugs or carpet, vacuum them once a week. Try using a small-particle or HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuum cleaner.

Check Filters

The first step in removing allergens from the air is to ensure that your home is well ventilated. Paper filters are intended to capture large particles such as dust. Dust can collect on the engine and fans of your furnace and air conditioner.

Mold, bacteria, and some forms of pollen, on the other hand, are much smaller. Therefore passing through the fibers of normal filters. This causes them to circulate through your ductwork and be blown back into your room. Using HEPA air filters and replacing them on a daily basis will be sure to help. Air filters should be replaced every 90 days as a general rule.

If the weather permits and the pollen count is low, open a window for at least five minutes per day. This can help to reduce the accumulation of indoor air allergens in your household. For a further look into air quality throughout your home, take a look at one of our previous blog posts; Air Quality in Your Home.

Dust Furniture

Allergens will find furniture almost as appealing as you and your family. Clean often used living room objects like electronics and furniture regularly. Also dust more out-of-reach spots like walls, corners, ceiling fan blades, and door frames if needed to avoid dust build-up.

Using a dusting tool to make sure you’re not simply brushing anything under the rug. This prevents the dust from being reintroduced into the air and scattered around your home.

Make your house a no-shoe zone by putting all outside shoes by the front entrance. This way, you’re not getting allergens from the outside into your home any time you open the front door.

Allergens in the Kitchen

It’s possible for indoor allergens like mould to thrive in your kitchen because there’s so much food and moisture. Though mould spores that are actively circulating in the air may cause reactions, symptoms intensify when these spores stick to a wet surface and mould grows. To prevent mould from emerging in moist or hard-to-reach areas, prioritise the cleaning tasks mentioned below.

Moisture accumulation in your refrigerator will lead to mould formation, so make sure you’re wiping away any excess moisture. Make a note to search for out-of-date food on a regular basis and throw it out to prevent mould formation.

Furthermore, the dripping pan is an excellent breeding ground for allergens. Empty and clean this as needed on a regular basis. Remember to patch any mouldy rubber seals around your refrigerator door.

A quick tip: When clearing out the fridge, make sure to empty the shelves and drawers if possible. Then completely coat the removable pieces as well as the interior of the fridge with a vinegar and water solution.

Keep your Kitchen Space Clean

Be sure to wash your dishes on a regular basis. Mould and food waste will quickly accumulate in your sink. Mould loves to hide in the space underneath the sink where you do the dishes. Clean out the area under the sink on a regular basis. To make sure there are no leaks coming from the sink pipes.

A quick tip: Try cleaning the kitchen sink drain with a vinegar and baking soda solution on a regular basis. This is an excellent way to keep it clear and avoid mould from forming in the drain and pipes.

In order to remove allergens, spraying and washing down the cabinets and countertops can be a regular procedure in your household. You can perform this as much as once a day to remove food crumbs and prevent mould growth.

To stop getting toxic chemicals near your food, it’s best to disinfect these areas with eco-friendly sprays and detergents. Additionally, heavy detergents containing cleaning chemicals can cause allergic reactions in allergy sufferers or those with a history of asthma.

Allergens in the Bedroom

We know you adore your room, but dust mites adore it as well. The explanation for this is that when we sleep, we lose a lot of dead skin cells. Which are a favourite bedtime snack for dust mites. Millions of these microscopic bugs will congregate in a single mattress and leave droppings. These droppings cause allergic reactions such as rashes, sneezing, and congestion. Dust mites are a serious issue, make sure you don’t skimp on deep cleaning your home’s bedrooms.

Microscopic dust mites love to burrow in the details of your bedding. Since we spend about a third of our lives in bed, it’s important to keep your bedding tidy. This is in order to minimize your susceptibility to dust mites and avoid an allergic reaction.

In addition, wash all bedding products and sheets in hot water once a week. For further information and household tips in regards to dust mites check out this resource: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dust-mites/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352178.

Don’t Neglect your Bedroom Curtains and Blinds

Curtains and blinds are also popular places for dust and other allergens to collect. Wash curtains and blinds on a regular basis. Vacuum curtains and drapes softly twice a month with a brush attachment on the lowest suction level.

A hairdryer set to the cold setting works to clear dirt from fragile fabrics. However, make sure you vacuum afterwards to avoid blowing dust around the room. If you have blinds, clean them with a duster or a dust rag. This removes any dust that has accumulated between the doors.

A quick tip: Install air purifiers in each bedroom to flush out airborne allergens. These tend to cling to your curtains or blinds as you sleep, reducing your exposure.

Give us a call if you are interested in increasing the air quality in your home! You can control and decrease home allergens through the HVAC system and air filters in your home. Now more than ever, we need to focus on the air we are breathing indoors. We are more than happy to guide you through your situation and recommend what could work for you.