Tips For Controlling Allergens In Your Home
The symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, runny, itchy eyes, and generally not feeling well, can be difficult to live with. While some people have specific allergies to foods or animals, a lot of people suffer allergy symptoms when exposed to dust and pollen. It is a lot easier to stay away from a type of food or animal than it is to avoid dust and pollen. If you suffer from moderate to severe dust and pollen allergies, use the following tips to help make your home a place where you can feel better:
Avoid Leaving Windows Open
When the weather is nice many people like to leave windows open to help control temperatures inside and let fresh air in. Unfortunately, this is not a good idea for allergy sufferers, as an open window can let in pollen and dust even if the window is screened. You are much better off relying on central heating and cooling to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home if you have dust and pollen allergies.
Think About Replacing Your Window Blinds
Dust particles are everywhere, even inside homes, and they tend to settle on window blinds due to their shape and design. If you want to minimize dust in your home and reduce allergy symptoms, consider installing roll down shades. They can offer the same level of privacy and insulation as traditional blinds, but they typically do not collect as much dust or need to be cleaned as often.
Pay Attention to Your Carpet
If you have carpet in your home, you will need to be diligent if you want to keep it as free from dust as possible. Vacuuming several times a week can help greatly in reducing the amount of dust in your home. It is also a good idea to have professional carpet cleaning services done regularly to ensure that the carpet fibers are completely clean and all dust has been removed. It is generally recommended that carpeting be professionally cleaned (check sites like http://www.logancarpetcleaners.com for more information) every 12 to 18 months, but if you suffer from moderate to severe dust and pollen allergies it may be beneficial to have your carpet cleaned more often.
Avoid Upholstered Furniture
Large pieces of upholstered furniture are likely to gather dust in the fabric no matter how well you try to prevent it. If you don't want to feel completely miserable while sitting on your couch to watch your favorite television show, consider buying a leather couch, or a sofa with a synthetic covering that is easy to wipe down and clean.