Spring has officially sprung, and with it, seasonal allergies. While the cherry blossom trees and other beautiful foliage are lovely to look at, they are also the culprit of many runny noses, watery eyes, and itchy throats. It might be impossible to avoid pollen outdoors, but there are several ways to reduce pollen in your home.
- Doormats – Place doormats both inside and outside any entrances to your home. This will help dislodge the pollen from shoes and catch any before it makes itself inside.
- Shoes and outerwear – Similarly to putting doormats down, removing shoes and outerwear helps prevent any pollen particles from entering the home. Encourage guests to leave these items by the front door or the garage before advancing further inside. If you want to really make sure you don’t have any traces of pollen on your body, change your clothes and/or shower as soon as you get inside.
- Bedding – When pollen settles into bedding, it can trigger allergic reactions even when you sleep. Try to wash your sheets once a week, and use allergen-resistant covers on your mattresses and pillows to prevent pollen from getting into hard-to-clean areas. These will also help protect your mattress from dust mites and help maintain it.
- Vaccum – The quality of your vacuum cleaner can make a big difference in keeping pollen and other particles out of your home. Ensure your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA filter built into it. In addition to vacuuming frequently, try to empty the bag or canister outside to prevent any particles from becoming airborne within the home. The same goes for AC units; replace filters regularly and ensure you are using HEPA filters.
- Dust – Remember to dust blinds, curtains, and ceiling plans, as these are places pollen tends to settle. Use a microfiber towel to trap the particles instead of spreading them around further. Moreover, make sure you dust these surfaces from the top and work your way down so that you don’t accidentally contaminate already-dusted areas.
- Windows – Despite the lovely weather tempting you to open the windows, it is important to keep windows closed to prevent pollen from getting blown inside.
- Pets – Pollen is great at hiding in animal fur and sneaking into the house. If your pets spend a good bit of time outdoors, try to bathe them once a week, and brush them off outside before letting them indoors.
- Garage Parking – Lastly, if possible, park your car in the garage. This prevents pollen from settling on your hood and possibly getting sucked into the ventilation system.
Happy Spring, and good luck!
