For those of us with sensitive sinuses, it’s not just the springtime that wreaks havoc on our allergies. Sometimes just sorting through a pile of dusty clothes can bring on a sneezing fit that will put us out of action for 10 minutes or so. It can feel like an endless race to keep on top of the dust and allergens that will inevitably fill our house from time to time. If you want to keep your home’s air quality clean all year round, then here are some of the best practices to follow.
Drapes and carpets
Your curtains and carpet are perhaps the biggest culprits when it comes to trapping allergens in the home. This is because, unlike clothes, they don’t immediately come to mind when we think of something that needs a good clean on a regular basis. As well as vacuum cleaning both of these features, it’s a good idea to wash both too. Investing in a carpet washing service or machine is the best way to remove all the allergens that you could be walking over and kicking up every day. As for curtains, a good clean in the washing machine will do them no harm. Just be careful to not wash them on too high a setting, particularly if they are cotton. Otherwise, you could find yourself with a shorter pair of curtains than you previously had before.
If you have children, your home might also be full of cuddly toys. While these are very important to keep around for sentimental reasons, they can also harbor allergens, and sometimes even dust mites. If your child is reluctant to let go of their toys, be sure to pop them in the washing machine while they’re at school; it could be a secret source of your allergy symptoms.
Air conditioning
Air conditioning is a savior for homes everywhere: it keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, the ducts that keep the air circulating do inevitably become filled with allergens and particles that can be a nuisance for those with allergies. Hiring duct cleaning (which can be found at websites such as this: https://actionfurnace.ca/furnace-duct-cleaning/ is the best way to remove these allergens from our home.
Stationary objects
Large, stationary objects will collect dust over time, so they need to be cleaned and wiped down. However, there are some objects that could actually wreak havoc on our immune systems. Ceiling fans are a particularly ornate way of adding circulation to your home.
You may have even kept a particularly elegant ceiling fan in your living room or bedroom as decoration. However, if you do still use ceiling fans to cool off your rooms in the hotter months, remember to give them a clean. Like any stationary object, they will accumulate dust, which can be a hidden trigger for allergies.
If your allergies only crop up during spring and summer, then it’s a good idea to be mindful of the types of plants you keep dotted around the house. Otherwise, it is a good idea to keep your house clean and tidy but investing in the odd deep clean.
