5 Home Comforting Tips to Dodge Spring Allergies

Did you know that more than 50 million Americans experience allergies each year?

Spring is just around the corner, and you know what that means: seasonal allergies for a large portion of the country. Sneezing, coughing, and sniffling are just a normal part of this time of year for millions of people.

This year, exert more control over the comfort of your own home. If your family suffers from allergies, seasonal or constant, these home improvement tips will help you boost the air quality within your house. Experience better breathing and fewer annoying symptoms with just a bit of effort.

1.   Clean Your Air Filters and Ducts Often 

Heating and cooling systems (including ducts and filters) spread contaminants throughout a household very easily.

Scheduling regular air filter replacements/cleanings and duct maintenance is an excellent way to keep your home comfortable and safe for allergy sufferers. Working with a trustworthy and knowledgeable HVAC company ensures that you’re removing dust, pollen, pet dander, perfumes, and other irritants from trapped spots in your system, thereby improving your air quality.

The average recommendation for air filter replacements or cleanings is every 90 days. But if your family is constantly sneezing and coughing, or if you have pets, you might need to carry out those actions every 60 days.

Additionally, ducts should be thoroughly cleaned by professionals at least twice a year, if not more often.

2.   Install Dehumidifiers in Bathrooms and Kitchens

Roughly 25 percent of people with allergies are allergic to mold, according to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. If your allergies seem especially bad during warm, humid times of the year, you might be suffering from mold irritants in your home.

Mold only needs three things to survive inside: a food source, oxygen, and moisture. Basements, closets, bathrooms, and kitchens are the hotspots in houses with fungus invasions.

Although serious mold cases will need to be treated by professionals, you can take some steps to prevent growth and minimize allergies. One of the best things to do is to install dehumidifiers in areas that experience lots of steam and moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.

This removes moisture from the air, which makes it more difficult for mold to grow and contribute to allergy symptoms.

3.   Use Air Purifiers 

Air purifiers are a fairly cost-effective, easy way to improve the air quality within your home. These devices remove funky odors, allergens, and other pollutants from your air.

These purifiers are most effective when placed in a room where doors and windows are shut, allowing the air to be cleaned without the introduction of other pollutants. It’s also smart to install purifiers in rooms where you spend lots of time – usually in the bedrooms.

4.   Vacuum Consciously

According to WebMD, to reduce allergens in your home, you might not actually need to vacuum as much as you think. Many sources will tell you that vacuuming more eradicates dust, but in reality, most vacuums don’t have great filters – thus, they disrupt dust without actually removing it from the air and surfaces.

Consider adding a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner. This might be a more expensive cleaning tip, but it will ensure that your regular cleaning habits aren’t contributing to your allergies.

5.   Limit Your Number of House Plants 

When people think of home improvements that promote clean air, many turn to house plants. However, this could be a mistake if you or someone in your family is an allergy sufferer.

Some indoor plants actually cause allergies and asthma. Additionally, moist potted plants can lead to mold growth.

This doesn’t mean you can’t have plants in your home. You just need to be selective and do research before adding any flora to the building. For instance, plants like weeping figs, orchids, and marigold are big no-no’s for people with sensitive allergies.

On the other hand, peace lilies, lady palms, and marginatas can act as natural humidifiers and can relieve allergies. It’s all about choosing the best options for your home, not throwing some greenery around and hoping it will help. 

How you design, clean, and protect your home can have a massive impact on your comfort indoors, especially if you suffer from allergies. These tips will have hugely beneficial impacts on people who sneeze and sniffle their ways through certain seasons, especially when paired with allergy treatments and medications as prescribed.

Author:

Amy McConaghy is Reliance Home Comfort’s Digital Marketing Specialist, managing the editorial, video and visual content creation for all digital platforms. Amy’s writing is focused on bringing home improvement, energy and money saving tips to the homeowners and answering questions about all their home comfort needs. You can find Amy on LinkedIn.