Ahhh, spring, with the season in full bloom, there are two things that almost certainly come to mind.
First of all, there’s the classic notion of “spring cleaning.” Most of us think of spring as a time to get organized and prepare for the warmer months to come.
Secondly, ahh-choo! Yes, right, it’s that time of year when tens of millions of Americans become affected by spring allergies. From sniffling and sneezing to watery eyes, no one enjoys the symptoms brought on by pollen and other allergens.
The good news is by partaking in the former (spring cleaning), it could significantly help with the latter.
Here are some tips for combating allergens while also getting your spring cleaning done.
It’s quite clear that spring cleaning and allergy-proofing your home go together like peanut butter and jelly. Decluttering your living spaces helps you consolidate and eliminate things that collect dust and other allergens. By tidying up, you can significantly reduce the number of allergens in your home.
With all the pollen outside, you should be able to retreat to your home for relief. Unfortunately, your allergies may be just as bad inside as they are outside if your carpets are also harboring allergens. To rid your home of dust mites, rugs and carpets should be thoroughly cleaned – preferably by a professional.
Vacuuming is great, but it might not fully rid you of all lingering allergens.
As the weather warms up, mold growth becomes more likely in places where moisture gathers. Make sure you wipe down places that could become breeding grounds, like atop your refrigerator and underneath your kitchen sink. As mold grows more rampantly in the summer, it’s important to keep those moisture levels under control.
There are a plethora of benefits to hanging your laundry out to dry. It’s more energy efficient and eco-friendly, plus it can also save you money. However, it might not be the best idea when pollen counts are high.
Pollen can stick to anything you’ve hung up to dry – especially damp towels and sheets. The last thing you need is to bring those allergens inside with your laundry.
Before it gets so hot out that you’re forced to fire up the A/C, make sure you’ve checked everything out. It’s especially important to inspect screens for accumulated dust and clean or replace them as necessary.
You may also want to have a professional service your air conditioning unit and install a filter as well. You’ll want to get one with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of 8 or higher. That should really help filter out dust particles.
Want to ensure your living spaces are 99.97% free of mold spores, pollen, animal dander, and other allergens? Consider investing in a HEPA (High Energy Particulate Air) filter. These don’t have to be incredibly expensive and they can make your environment at home much healthier.
