Summer can be a tough time for people who have seasonal allergies. Runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and nasal congestion are just some of the unpleasant symptoms allergy sufferers experience to pollen, grass clippings, spores and more. Thankfully, there are several cleaning tips you can start implementing in your home today that will make your outdoor allergies more manageable for the summer months.
The first step in allergy proofing your home is to clean your outside entryways with either a broom or vacuum. Removing the allergens that are near your front and back doors helps minimize the amount of pollen and other irritants that can be tracked into your home.
After cleaning your outside entryways, we recommend taking your shoes off outside, immediately showering and changing your clothes. This will ensure pollen and spores aren’t making their way indoors on your shoes, clothing or hair. Practice this three-step process before coming inside anytime you’re doing outside activities.
Vacuum and dust once or twice a week (this is an absolute must!). We suggest purchasing a HEPA filter for your vacuum to prevent allergens from being re-circulated back into the air, causing more irritation. Dusting will help pick up remaining particles that have settled onto surfaces throughout your home. Only dust with a damp cloth to trap the allergens instead of kicking them back into the air.
Get rid of clutter. The less stuff you have in your home for dust and other allergens to settle on, the less you’ll be experiencing symptoms. Take the time to go through and organize your home and determine which items you can do without.
If you have seasonal allergies, chances are you’re sensitive to fragrant products. Look out for and try detergents and cleaning products that are fragrance-free. Norwex is a fantastic company that has a variety of un-scented and natural products for multiple uses.
Most people are unaware of how much dust, pollen, pet dander etc. that gets tracked into our beds. This is why it’s crucial to wash your sheets weekly in hot water with a gentle, fragrance-free detergent. This applies to your children’s stuffed toys as well!