Indoor allergies can be nothing short of miserable to deal with. Your symptoms can range from mildly bothersome to downright awful, affecting your ability to relax and enjoy your own home. And just like with outdoor allergies, your indoor ones can go through phases where they range from bad to really bad. So, what can you do about it? Is the solution to take allergy medicine around the clock just to cope with your symptoms?
While allergy medicine can certainly offer relief, ideally, you want to try to identify your triggers and limit or even eliminate them from the home. Here’s a look at some of the best ways to keep your indoor allergies in check and keeping your symptoms more manageable.
Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly
One of the best tips for those who suffer from allergies is to make sure you change your furnace filter on a regular basis. Your furnace filter is busy capturing all that pollen, dust, and even mold from the house, so you want to be sure it is able to operate efficiently. If you wait too long between replacements, it will end up getting so dirty and clogged that it can no longer do a good job.
It’s best to check the filter every 30 days to see how it looks, and then most likely change it out every three months. Discount Filter Store makes it easy for you to order furnace and air purifier filters online at a discounted price, so you’ve always got one on-hand and ready to go.
Wash Bedding in Hot Water
Today, you’ll find plenty of laundry soaps that make it possible to wash your clothing in cold water, which is great for energy savings. The problem is that they are not able to get rid of allergens such as dust mites. Washing your bedding once a week in water that is at least 130 F will ensure you kill off all the allergens.
It’s also a good idea to use dust mite-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to help protect them. These covers can also be laundered weekly.
Hard Surface Flooring is Easier on Allergy Sufferers
If you have a lot of carpeting in your home, and the budget allows, tearing it out and replacing it with a hard surface such as hardwood, tile, or laminate will be much easier on your allergies. These hard surfaces won’t trap the allergens in them, so you can get a better clean when you vacuum.
Get Rid of Excess Clutter in the Home
Excess clutter is prone to being dust collectors in the home. The more clutter you have, the harder it is to clean, and the more dust is going to build on all the surfaces. Try to keep things simple and basic without clutter.
Hang Washable Window Coverings
Window coverings such as drapes and blinds can also be dust collectors and aren’t so easy to clean. The best tip is usually to hang drapes that can easily be laundered, again in hot water, allowing you to get rid of the buildup of allergens. Each of these tips will help you to create a space that won’t be as tough on your indoor allergies and make you a whole lot more comfortable.
