Don’t let fall weather fool you; allergy symptoms can flare up just as easily in the fall as they do in the spring and summer. In fact many allergy and asthma sufferers find it to be the hardest season.
So how can you avoid “falling” into the allergy trap? The easiest way is to keep allergens out of your home. Use our guide to help you allergy-proof your entire home room by room.
Foyer: Don't Let Allergens In
Allergens enter your home the same way you do: Through the front door. Even worse, they can enter on your body or clothes. It’s important to shower when you come in from raking the leaves or cutting the grass.
In terms of the actual room, have both indoor and outdoor mats to wipe your feet. Also, avoid having carpet in these areas if possible – they can trap allergens as soon as you walk in. If possible, avoid window treatments in this area, or be sure to wash them. Lastly, avoid allowing animals come through the main door – allergens will stick to them as well. Make them use a garage or side door if you can.
Bedroom: Sleep Well
When you think about the rooms in your home that you spend the most time in, the bedroom is probably right there at the top of the list. From your pillows and bedding to furniture and furnishings, bedrooms are full of places for allergens to collect and wreak havoc on your health. The Mayo Clinic has some great recommendations for steps you can take to allergy proof your bedroom.
- Air Filtration: Choose an air purifier that has HEPA filtration to help remove microscopic allergens from your room’s air.
- Proper Floor Care: Vacuum weekly to remove particles that have become embedded in your carpeting. A vacuum cleaner with HEPA or S-Class filtration is the perfect option for removing nearly all harmful particles.
- Look at Your Bedding: Encase your pillows, mattresses, and bedding in dust-mite proof covers. Wash your sheets and blankets in hot water at least once a week.
Kids’ Room: Protect Your Children
Few things are worse for parents than having a sick child and not being able to help make it better. While there's not a lot you can do to stop your kid from getting the flu or some other virus, if they're an allergy sufferer there's ways you can help out. According to WebMD, there are ways to control your child's allergies without medicine. Taking a few precautions in their bedroom or playroom can make a world of difference.
- Keep the Room Uncluttered: If your child has stuffed animals that they don’t play with simply remove them instead of letting them collect dust. For their favorites, wash them weekly in hot water to kill any allergens.
- Regularly Change Furnace Filters: Your furnace’s blower works year round cooling and heating your home. Be sure to regularly replace the filter to ensure that only the cleanest air is being circulated in your child’s room.
- Keep Pets Out: Pets may be a child's best friend but the dander in their fur can be an issue. Try to keep pets out a child's room to reduce the number of allergens brought in.
Kitchen: Keep Allergens Away From Your Plates
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and you want your living space to be a safe haven for you and family. Here are some solutions for removing toxic, harmful items in your home to curb allergies and illnesses:
- Replace Cabinet Doors: If you’re sensitive to chemicals, consider replacing your current kitchen cabinets for low-VOC cabinet doors. Cheap cabinet doors, like particle board, tend to release fumes that can be harmful to your health.
- Remove Moisture: Eliminate mold growth by drying up any excess moisture around the fridge, sink, and any place susceptible to water. Repair and replace any broken fixtures that may leak, cause damage, or promote mold spores.
- Mopping & Deep Cleaning: To further protect your kitchen, consider investing in a steam cleaner. Steam cleaners are effective at cleaning faucets, appliances, and flooring for an even further clean without the use of harmful chemicals.
Maintaining a meticulously clean kitchen will help reduce any allergens but also cut down on cleaning time, clutter, and pests that might otherwise dine in your home.
Garages: Don't Bring Dust Inside
It's easy to think of allergy prevention as something that only takes place inside the home, but in reality, allergens are usually brought into the house from the outside. One space, in particular, tends to straddle the line between inside and outside, the garage. Usually overlooked, allergy proofing your garage can help to eliminate a lot of potential problems. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology suggests that you eliminate storing gas, insecticides, and other chemicals in attached garages since they can cause volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to make their way into the home. Other tips include not storing firewood in the garage or allowing the car to run in the garage, even with the garage door open.
Bathroom: Simple Clean-Up Will Help
The bathroom can be a great place for mold to grow in your home. In addition to mold, dust and other allergens can accumulate in your bathroom, so taking great care to clean your bathroom will help prevent and curb any allergy-related issues.
Much like in the kitchen, consider using a steam cleaner to deep clean any faucet fixtures, tiling, and the floor to remove any mold or mildew that may be growing. The intense heat from a steam cleaner kills mold and mildew growth and can be wiped up with a clean microfiber cloth. Additionally, make sure your ventilation fan is in good working condition and vacuum the fan when needed, as the ventilation helps to whisk out excess moisture, which can contribute to mold growth. Fresh air from the outside helps to maintain a dry air quality inside the bathroom.
Finally, invest in mold-resistant shower curtains and liners, as they do not contribute to mold and mildew growth and tend to be easier to clean.
Living Room: Don't Let the Dust Settle
To curb allergens and particulates in your living room, consider investing in a high-capacity HEPA vacuum. Microscopic particles and allergens are captured by the HEPA filter, removing up to 99% of allergens—dust, pollens, dander—from the air. Additionally, removing heavy carpeting and replacing them with hardwoods and removable area rugs that can be easily vacuumed and cleaned is ideal for allergy sufferers, while replacing your upholstered furniture with leather is also effective for reducing dust in your home.
Further, washing and vacuuming blinds, curtains, or other fabrics will help reduce and lessen the severity of dust and other allergens. Consider investing in an air purifier, which can also reduce dust and allergens in your home, improving the air quality. Additionally, replace your air filters with high-efficiency HEPA air filters to decrease dust and pollen from the indoor air.
Basement: Basic Upkeep
Basement upkeep depends on how much you use them. They’re known for creating allergy and asthma symptom flare-ups. If you have several kids running around down there, be sure to vacuum with an allergy-friendly vacuum often. We suggest at least once a week. If possible, vacuum furniture too (use attachments)!
Be sure to manage your indoor air quality in your basement. Basements are often a breeding ground for mold and other irritants because they’re dark and tend to have more moisture than other areas of your home. Use a dehumidifier to rid your air of excess moisture. Fix all leaks, seams, and cracks in your walls and foundation, as well as leaking pipes and other areas.
Store all your off-season clothes in plastic storage bins that seal completely to keep dust and other particles from building up. If pests like cockroaches are a problem in your basement, consult a professional exterminator.
Porch: Damage Control
Allergy-proofing your porch can be a little tricky, as the porch was designed to immerse you in the outdoors—where all the pollens and allergens linger. Invest in washable cushions or covers that will allow you to remove and launder the cushions in hot water. In addition, investing in porch and window pollen screens—available through several companies—will not only reduce allergens inside your patio space but may add value to your home.
Other tips for allergy-proofing your porch include:
- Removing Rugs & Mats: If you have rugs or mats on your porch, take them up at least once a week and sweep. Shake out any rugs and vacuum with a HEPA vacuum.
- Wash & Wipe Down Furniture: Take the time to wipe down any glass table tops, chairs, or benches where pollen can accumulate.
- Remove Dinnerware: Remove any dinnerware—plates, cups, utensils, napkins—which can easily collect particulates. Wash thoroughly in the dishwasher and with hot water.
Don’t let fall allergies ruin the perfect temperatures and fun outside (who doesn’t love jumping in a pile of leaves?). If you allergy-proof your home for fall, you won’t have to worry about symptoms flaring up. You can even see a list of EverydayHealth’s worst cities for fall allergies.
Have questions? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter. We’re happy to provide other suggestions to keep you healthy and allergy-free all fall season.
