Rid Your Home of Allergens

Its allergy season and we all know what that means, Get out the medicine. But, you know what? You don’t have to use medicine all the time. There are several ways to get rid of the allergens in your home so you don’t have to be “doped up” all day long on the allergy pills. What better way to breathe easier than to get rid of the problem rather than mask it.

Now, we all know that allergens come from all over. Pollen from outside, pet dander from your little puppy dog, mildew from the shower, mold from your garage, mites from your bed. There are so many ways to get rid of those things so that you can breathe easier.

Get an Air Cleaner

Purchase an air cleaner from your local hardware supply store that will install in your air intake vent to your furnace or air conditioner. Using an air cleaner daily will clean the allergens out of the air much better than a regular furnace filter does. It is also very important to change your furnace filter every thirty days. If you have an air cleaner, your air will be crisp and clean so you have no problem breathing.

Use Your A/C

It is a fact that if you use your air conditioner than you will reduce moisture in the air, therefore reducing the amount of mites and mold and mildew from multiplying. If you are like me, you like fresh air, but keeping the humidity down is very important when reducing the amount of allergens that are in your home. Also, if you install that air filter, your a/c will clean as it cools.

Get a Dehumidifier

This is especially important if you do not have air conditioning. Allergens will grow where there is moisture, and the less moisture, the less allergens. The dryer your home is the easier you can breathe.

Use Bleach

I cannot stress this enough; use bleach to clean everything, bathrooms, kitchens, walls, sheets, windows, everything. Bleach will kill any type of allergens, especially mold and mildew. If you are sure if the bleach will not ruin your belongings than use it. Clorox even has a surface target place for mold and mildew to grow, so clean those areas thoroughly with bleach.

Change Your Sheets

Changing your bedding as often as 2 times a week and washing the sheets in bleach and hot water will get rid of mites that grow on bedding. Buying synthetic pillows so you can wash them in hot water is a good idea too, otherwise you may ruin your goose down! If you keep your mattress covered in plastic, this will allow your mattress from getting infested with mites, if you haven’t noticed, it is hard to fold up your mattress enough to fit it in the washer! Place a soft, thick mattress pad over the plastic covered mattress and you will never know the difference.

Get Hardwood

If your allergies are bad enough, you may want to consider ripping out your old carpet and putting in hardwood flooring. Carpet can hold so much dust, pollen, dander, mildew, mold, and mites that a normal vacuum just can’t get it clean enough. If you must have rugs, purchase throw rugs that can easily be washed in hot water.

Keeping Pets Well Groomed

Pets, especially dogs and cats, have pet dander which many of us are allergic to. Pets shed their dander daily and it circulates throughout your home. If getting rid of your pet is not an option, (in many cases it is not an option) then make sure that your pet are bathed and groomed properly. Grooming includes, brushing the excess hair off and bathing your pet very frequently, This will eliminate the amount of dander they will shed.

Instead of masking your symptoms with pills, which seems to be the easier way to fix things, why not eliminate what is making you feel bad. Not only will you not need the medicine as often, but your house will be as free of allergens as it ever will be. You need to look at the larger picture and imagine what your life will be without depending on allergy drugs.