Buzz
Spring is officially here! Alongside the blooming flowers, sunny days, and cravings for Creme eggs, it’s also the peak of allergy season for those sensitive to pollen. When pollen counts are high, allergy sufferers should remain indoors. That’s solid advice—unless your home is already an allergy trigger zone. Here are some steps to make sure your home offers relief, not further irritation.
Step One: Set Priorities
Before you dive into a 'Stop Allergies ASAP' checklist based on the tips below, take a moment to understand what you know (or don’t know) about your allergies. “The first thing to remember is that allergies vary from person to person,” says Sanaz Eftekhari, Director of Corporate Affairs for the nonprofit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “There are thousands of allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. What you need to address in your home depends on what you’re allergic to,” Eftekhari explains.
It’s also helpful to identify which allergens are most common in your home—many homes contain at least one irritant. According to the NIH, you can hire a professional to assess your air quality or use a DIY kit to figure out the biggest allergens in your living space. Simple observation also helps: If you’re allergic to dust mites and the dust on your shelves is thick enough to write messages in, that's an obvious red flag. Or if pet dander is your trigger, it’s probably not a great idea to give your dog a grooming session in the bedroom. Keep your specific allergens in mind as you try the following strategies for each area of your home.
For the Entire Home
Keep things simple—literally. Decluttering will help reduce places where allergens can settle. (Every knick-knack increases the surface area for dust, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens to accumulate.) To maintain those freshly cleared surfaces, wipe them down regularly with a damp cloth. Old cotton socks work wonders for this—just slip your hand inside and get going, no need for fancy dusters.
Prevent allergens from entering your home (if pollen is your issue). Place two doormats—one inside and one outside—to trap allergens at the door and prevent them from making their way into your house. Even better, remove your shoes at the door to avoid tracking pollen everywhere. Pollen is sneaky and sticks to shoes. You may want to change into “indoor clothes” since pollen clings to your clothes too. Who doesn’t enjoy getting comfortable when they come home? A quick shower before bed also helps ensure you don’t bring pollen into your sheets.
Keep windows shut. Also, use the A/C (the same goes for your car), which helps filter out pollen.
Consider ditching rugs. Bare floors, which you clean regularly, are a great way to reduce a significant allergen collector. If you can’t part with your rugs, “...you should aim to get them professionally cleaned every few months,” recommends Eftekhari.
Vacuum thoroughly and frequently. Invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter (check that it’s the type that traps allergens, or refer to this list of certified vacuums) to avoid blowing allergens back into the air as you clean. Don’t just focus on the floors—also vacuum window sills and corners where the floor and walls meet. And don’t forget to look up—ceiling corners tend to trap dust too.
In the Bedroom
You spend around 7 hours (or more) in your bed every night, so this is the most crucial area to keep clean and free from allergens.
Use a humidifier or air purifier while you sleep to ensure the air you breathe during the third of your life spent in bed is filtered. Ron Quiroga, who lives and works in Norwalk, Connecticut, shared that after using a humidifier for the first time this year, his allergy symptoms improved by about 15 percent. He emphasizes the importance of keeping your unit clean to maintain its effectiveness (refer to your unit’s manual for proper maintenance).
Wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly for allergy management. Consider choosing allergy-friendly bedding options. The AAFA tests items such as blankets, sheets, mattress pads, and duvets to determine if they possess any properties that could irritate asthma or allergy symptoms, or contribute to reducing allergen exposure. They also ensure these items can withstand frequent cleaning, ensuring long-term effectiveness.
Clean your curtains regularly. Or, opt for easy-to-clean blinds or shades that don’t trap dust or allergens. Don’t forget to wipe them down every so often. The same applies to decorative pillows and fabric wall hangings.
Keep pets out of your bed and bedroom if you have a pet-dander allergy. If your concern is pollen, wipe your pet’s face with a damp cloth after they come inside to remove as much pollen as possible. Washing your sheets more often is recommended if your pet sleeps with you, as their fur may carry pollen inside despite cleaning. Frequent baths for your pet could help as well.
In the Kitchen
It’s important to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, not just for hygiene but also for your health. Make sure to clean the edges of ceiling fans and remove dust from oven hoods and from behind and beneath appliances—these are areas where allergens can hide, even if your countertops appear clean.
Prevent vermin from entering. Rodents and roaches carry allergens like pollen and also produce allergens themselves (for example, roaches secrete a protein in their droppings and urine that triggers allergies in some individuals, as do mice). Take out the trash daily to avoid attracting them into your space. It’s just a good habit, regardless.
Keep areas dry in both the kitchen and bathroom, including the fridge. This helps prevent the growth of mold in damp environments.
Having allergies doesn’t mean you have to follow every suggestion on this list—mental health is important too! Unless you experience severe allergic reactions, choose a few actions that suit your needs, like washing sheets and vacuuming weekly. As Eftekhari advises, 'Know your situation. Understand what you’re allergic to, how sensitive you are, and create a plan that doesn’t overwhelm you.' Not everyone needs to take every precaution. Just because you have an allergy doesn’t mean you have to live in a perfectly sanitized environment.
