10 Tips to Remove Allergens From Your Home

If you or someone in your household is experiencing a runny or stuffy nose, a scratchy throat, or itchy, watery eyes and you’re not sure why, it could be because of environmental allergens in your home. If you can determine what your allergy triggers are, you will know where to focus your efforts to eliminate them from your home. 

How to Remove Allergens From Your Home

There are a few things you can do to reduce the allergens in your home and get relief from some of the worst symptoms.

1. Keep Your Home Cool and Dry

Because mould and dust mites thrive in warm, damp environments, keeping your home cool and dry goes a long way toward reducing these allergens. Fix any water leaks as soon as you become aware of them, and consider a dehumidifier if you live somewhere especially humid or if there are areas in your home that always seem damp. 

2. Control Pests

Keep food in sealed containers, wipe up spills right away, and empty your trash daily. If you see signs of pests such as mice or insects, purchase some chemical-free traps. Never use poison if you have pets or children. You can also hire a pest removal service or exterminator for especially stubborn infestations. 

3. Close the Windows and Use Air Conditioning

If pollen is your main allergy trigger, shut your windows when the pollen count is high and rely on your HVAC system to control the temperature inside — especially first thing in the morning and in the early evening when pollen levels are highest.

4. Use an Air Purifier

An air purifier can help scrub the air of allergens and other small particles that might irritate your lungs or aggravate your allergy symptoms. For the best protection, choose a purifier the right size for the space you’re treating and that has a certified HEPA filter, which can trap 99.95% or more of airborne particles. 

5. Replace Air Filters

Don’t forget to clean and replace the air filters in your HVAC system, air purifier and any other air treatment system you use.

6. Replace Carpet With Hard Floors

While carpets provide cushioning, they’re also great at attracting dust and other allergens, and if they get damp, they can harbour mould. Wood, tile or vinyl floors are much easier to keep clean and dry and are usually a better choice for allergy-sufferers. If you really love rugs, choose low-pile or washable kinds, and consider investing in wool, which resists mould better than synthetic materials.

7. Take Off Your Shoes and Change Your Clothes

Allergens can cling to your clothes and shoes, using them to hitch a ride into your home. Create a space for people to leave their shoes by the door, and clean that area frequently during allergy season. Likewise, jackets, scarves and hats should stay near your entryway to avoid dragging too much pollen around your home. Consider keeping a hamper by the door for after you’ve been doing yardwork or your kids have been playing in the grass. It’s not a bad idea to wash your face (including around your eyes — your eyelashes can trap a lot of pollen) when you come in from outside.

8. Be Careful With Houseplants

Houseplants don’t usually have pollen that triggers allergies, but they can collect dust — and moist soil can be a breeding ground for mould. Avoid overwatering and consider adding a layer of gravel on top of the soil to discourage mould growth.

9. Wash Pet-Related Items

Pet beds and toys your pet likes to chew on can collect dander and saliva, so wash these items frequently. If your pets go outside, you may also want to bathe them, as pollen can stick to long hair or fur and get into your home that way.

10. Clean Your Home

No matter how careful you are, some allergens are going to get inside, so keeping your home clean is key. Reduce clutter as much as possible and dust regularly with a damp cloth. Vacuum floors and furniture weekly with a cyclonic vacuum or one with a HEPA filter. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, have it deep cleaned regularly. Use natural cleaners (such as vinegar) where possible, because bleach and other harsh cleaners, as well as those with added fragrance, can aggravate respiratory symptoms. Consider wearing a mask while cleaning to avoid breathing in any dust that gets stirred up in the process.

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

Allergy season can be tough, but with the right strategies, you can make your home a safe haven where you can breathe easy. To learn more about how Enercare can help, contact our indoor air quality experts, who are ready to answer all your questions about reducing allergens in your home.