Allergy-Proof Your Home

Allergy-Proof Your Home

Don’t let pet, dust, mold or pollen allergies make you miserable in your own home. If you have hay fever or allergic asthma symptoms throughout the year, here at Certi-Dry we have a couple recommendations to reduce allergens.

Spring is peak pollination season here in Middleton. The air is full of pollen particles that irritate the respiratory system, eyes and skin. In many people, allergic reactions lead to runny noses, sneezing, irritated eyes and sinus pressure. Dry, windy weather helps spread pollen efficiently. Rain knocks down tiny airborne pollen grains released from trees while also encouraging growth of grasses and additional flowers and pollen. To further exacerbate the issue, each type of tree has different species that pollinate at slightly different times to ensure their survival and reproduction.    

There is not much we can do about the oaks, pines and other trees this time of year, but we can help control pollen, mold and other irritants inside the home. Indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold, and cockroach droppings can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in millions of allergy sufferers. In fact, a survey published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that at least six allergens were detectable in more than more than 50 percent of homes.

Carried in through the air, allergens can be found on furniture, floors, and other surfaces around the house. While no home can be completely allergen-free, thorough cleaning on a regular basis can help reduce the number of allergens to which you’re exposed.  

Controlling the Triggers Within Your Home

Mold spores float in the air like pollen and trigger allergy symptoms. To minimize in damp rooms like laundries and bathrooms, replace wallpaper with tile or paint the walls with a mold-resistant paint. Run an exhaust fan after taking a shower or bath. Scrub away mold from tiles and bathroom surfaces. Replace moldy shower curtains; leave the shower open and the bathroom door ajar to encourage better ventilation.

Additionally, replace any moldy carpeting in your home. Run a dehumidifier to reduce moisture if it’s damp. And always keep an eye on the roof and ceilings for water leaks.

The Mayo Clinic has some more suggestions for reducing allergens in your home:

• Take charge of  the indoor temperature and humidity. Hot, humid houses are breeding grounds for dust mites and mold. Use the A/C to maintain a temperature at least below 78*; keep relative humidity no higher than 50 percent. Clean or replace small-particle filters in central heating and cooling systems and in room air conditioners at least once a month. Or upgrade to HEPA filters.
• Control cockroaches, mice and other pests with inexpensive traps from the hardware store. If that’s not effective, hire a professional exterminator. Proactively protect your pets from fleas with monthly treatments. To remove allergy-triggering insect and mouse residue, thoroughly vacuum carpeting and wash hard surfaces. Then prevent re-infestation– seal cracks or other possible entryways.
• Don’t allow smoking anywhere inside your house.
• Up your weekly cleaning routine. Damp-mop wood or linoleum flooring. Use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Use a microfiber damp cloth to clean; include the tops of doors, windowsills and window frames. If you have allergies, either wear a dust mask or get someone who doesn’t have allergies to do this job.

Contact Certi-Dry for Help

When your weekly cleaning routine fails to control your indoor allergens, restoration professionals can help identify and fix water damage that has led to mold in your home. Need more information on mold? Check out our blog page or give us a call!