People who suffer from asthma and allergies are often looking for ways to avoid the things that trigger their allergies. Many allergens are environmental, meaning that they are all around us, both indoors and outdoors. If you suffer from allergies and are looking for ways to remove allergens from your home, read on. We have several methods that are successful at cleaning the environment so you don’t have to spend your days sneezing.
1. Replace Your Air Filters
HVAC air filters Richmond are tucked away in your heating system. This makes it easy to forget to replace them. Twice an hour the air in your home passes through a filter. The filter captures bacteria and viruses, as well as mold and dust that can trigger your allergies and asthma. For maximum effectiveness, they should be changed every 90 days. If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced the filter, you should do that right away.
2. No More Carpeting
Wall to wall carpeting can harbor all sorts of allergens that make your life miserable. From dust mites to mold, the pile of the carpet traps these particles and makes them hard to remove. Replacing carpet with a hard surface like wood or tile will make it much easier to remove the allergens from the floor. If you are not able to do that, make sure to vacuum weekly with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.
3. Adjust the Humidity
If you live in a humid climate, then your home is a ripe place for mold to grow and release the spores that trigger your allergies. A dehumidifier can also reduce dust mites. Signs that you should get a dehumidifier in your home include wet spots on the walls and musty smells.
Conversely, if you live in a dry climate, a humidifier can help. This is especially true in the winter when dry air irritates sinuses and causes itchy skin. You should aim for 45-55% humidity in your home.
4. Use Washable Curtains
Curtains are one of the home decorations that many people put up and never really think about again. However, they can trap a lot of dust that can cause an allergic reaction. Install curtains that are easy to remove and washable to keep the dust levels down and keep your allergies under control.
If you have been suffering from allergies for a long time, you have probably felt that it is not much you can do about it. The good news is that these are steps you can take to drastically reduce the number of allergens in your home and make your living situation much more pleasant.