Do you or your family members suffer from allergies – sneezing, coughing, watery eyes? Are they triggered by mold, pollen, pet dander, dust, and spring season? Allergies are frustrating, and while you can’t prevent them when you’re outside, you can reduce allergens indoors. Read below for some quick tips to allergy-proof your home.
Start with the Floors
Reduce mold in your living spaces by installing wood or tile floors instead of carpeting. If you have carpets and rugs, clean them regularly with a vacuum and steam-cleaning machine. Keeping carpets clean is especially important if you have a dog or cat, as pet dander is a common allergen.
Proactive Methods to Allergy-Proof Your Home
The best defense against common allergens like dust and mold is keeping them from building up in the first place. Regularly mop your floors and dust your furniture – even hard-to-reach areas like air vents and the tops of ceiling fans. Remove excess clutter and knick-knacks to reduce dust build-up.
Keep your home at a consistent temperature and a moderate humidity level to prevent mold growth. During pollen season, keep windows and doors closed and use the air conditioner to cool your home. It’s always nice to enjoy fresh air unless it triggers an allergy attack.
Make Your Home a Designated Non-Smoking Area
One way to allergy-proof your home is to ask smokers to go outside. Create an area well away from the house for cigarette smoking. If you have visitors who smoke, send them outdoors, away from open doors and windows.
Allergy-Proof the Bedroom
You spend a lot of time sleeping, so don’t forget the bed when allergy-proofing your home. Purchase dust-repelling pillowcases and mattress covers, and wash the bedding regularly. At least monthly, launder the dust ruffle, curtains, and throw blankets, which you may not think of when doing the laundry.
Allergy-Proof Your Home: The Bathroom
When allergy-proofing your home, don’t overlook the bathroom. Make sure it’s well-ventilated and regularly wash towels, the shower curtain, and bathmats, which are breeding grounds for mold. Prevent mold growth in your shower or tub by cleaning it (including the fixtures) with a bleach-based cleaner.
It’s challenging to fully allergy-proof your home, but if you follow these tips and take it one room at a time, you will find some respite from allergy symptoms. To make your home comfortable and restful, eliminate as many allergy triggers as possible.
Golden Rule Home Inspections offers inspection services to buyers and sellers in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. Contact us to request an appointment.