Reducing Allergens in Your Home: Tips and Tricks

If you’re one of the more than 100 million people in the United States who suffer from allergies, you might assume that your own home would be the one place you don’t feel stuffy… except your symptoms won’t quit even in your abode. In this blog, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty: What exactly can you do to reduce allergens at home? Keep scrolling for our expert tips and tricks.

Wash Your Rugs and Carpeting

There are two things to consider here: (1) the materials that your rugs and carpets are made of and (2) the allergens getting trapped there.

The fibers, padding, and the glue holding it all together can trigger allergies. Rugs can be made of a number of materials, including wool, nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. Carpet padding, specifically, is sometimes manufactured of bonded urethane foam, and that can contain formaldehyde and styrene. Even if you’re not allergic to these materials, they’re still bad for your health. Furthermore, the more toxins there are in the carpeting, the more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the air. These can make you even sicker.

Plus, all types of allergens can easily find their way inside your home and get trapped in the fibers — like animal fur and dander, dust, and mold. Whether they come in through open doors and windows, on your shoes, or on your pets’ feet, once they set up shop, they won’t easily leave.

What You Can Do

To prevent allergens from getting inside, keep your windows closed during allergy season, on windy days, and when the pollen count is high. As much as possible, opt for rugs that you can simply through in the washing machine.

Vacuum once a week, possibly more if you have pets that shed. Ensure that your vacuum uses a HEPA filter, which can remove allergens. (We’ll talk more about HEPA filters in a minute.) Once a month, wash your carpets and allow them to completely dry to avoid mold.

 

 

Be mindful of what’s around your carpeting, as well. Allergens stuck in furniture or drapery might eventually find their way into your fancy rug, so you need to keep those things clean, too.

Speaking of mold, keep the humidity in your home somewhere between 30% and 60% to prevent mold growth, as well as dust mites.

Leave an Air Purifier Running

We’ve already talked about some of the allergens that float through the air and find their way into your carpets and rugs — dust/dust mites, VOCs, mold, fur, hair, dander, and so on. Not only can these trigger allergies but they can disrupt your sleep, worsen symptoms of respiratory issues, affect your lung health, negatively impact your cognition, and so much more.

This is going to be especially threatening for babies, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system. 

What You Can Do

An air purifier is a hands-free way to filter the air in your home. Look for a purifier that’s built with a pre-filter, medical-grade HEPA 13 filter, activated carbon filter, and UV-C light. With this type of air filtration, the device should be able to capture up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter.

The great news is that using an air purifier to clean the air in your home requires minimal effort on your part! The device will alert you when the filters need to be swapped, and it monitors the quality in real time so you know what your environment is like. This is one of the easiest ways to reduce allergens in your home.

Invest in Good Bedding

We know that bedding can be expensive, but it’s worth spending a little extra money on.

Like carpets and rugs, mattresses and bedding can house dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and any other allergens that make their way into your bedroom. The materials they’re made out of,  like polyester, can also make you feel unwell.

Do you let your pet sleep in your bed with you? If so, the allergens will be compounded.

Now, picture all of these potential allergens that you’re literally lying in for eight hours or more. And because you’re lying down, your nose and throat can’t drain as easily. This is one reason why a lot of people wake up puffy and congested.  

What You Can Do

First, as much as it might pain you, you can reduce the allergies in your bed by keeping pets off, showering, and changing into clean clothes before you get under the covers. 

 

 

Next, start shopping for hypoallergenic materials. Silk, microfiber, and cotton are all good choices — even better if it’s organic. Keep your pillows and mattress in protectors that are zipped shut.

Ideally, bedding should be washed weekly (in hot water!), especially your pillowcases. This will help preserve the quality of your mattress, which is going to be harder to clean. In a pinch, though, you can sprinkle some baking soda on it to help reduce moisture and remove stains, and then go over it with the vacuum.

Lastly, we have good news if you hate making your bed in the morning: It might be better for your allergies. Dust mites love dark, humid places — like inside the sheets. So, if you tidy your bed in the morning, consider folding the sheets down a little bit so everything can breathe.

Reducing allergens in your home requires a two-pronged approach: Stop allergens before they get inside and address the ones that do make it indoors.