When the weather cools off, you assume that more time indoors will lessen your exposure to the allergens that attack when you’re outside more.
Sadly, it’s not the case. In fact, the air inside your house can be even more contaminated than the outdoors.
And, as if it’s not bad enough that allergies go crazy in the spring, fall, and summer.
Nooo, there are WINTER allergies, too.
It’s basically a travesty.
But your friends at HammondKnoll have all the info you need to know what to be aware of and how to lessen the impact of winter allergens.
Keep reading to find out how to keep the sneezies at bay in your home.
1. Fabrics need a good washing
Your first line of defense for combating allergies in winter is to wash all the fabrics and materials that can harbor dust mites.
Start with washing everyone in your home’s bedding and then move on to the other fabrics.
Pro Tip: Make a cleaning schedule to make sure all the fabrics are getting washed on a regular basis.
2. Tap into the power of a dehumidifier
Mold and mildew are major sneeze-inducers. Staying on top of them can be a huge challenge.
Enter the dehumidifier. This superhero removes excess moisture from the air which makes it difficult for mold, mildew, and dust mites to thrive.
Take that!
3. How’s that air filter looking?
Your heating and cooling system is always there, working behind the scenes to keep you cool or warm, depending on the weather.
But there’s one little factor that – when ignored – can cause the winter allergens in your home to run amok.
The air filter.
Make sure you’re changing it on the schedule recommended by your HVAC manufacturer so you can be sure it’s not contributing to indoor air pollution.
4. What the caulk?
Yep, caulk matters when it comes to winter allergens.
If you notice that yours is getting dark or you can even start to see mold spores, your first instinct may be to grab the bleach.
But that’s not the best option and it won’t actually kill the germy mess that’s thriving on your old caulk. You’ll need to replace it to get rid of the mold and discoloration.
5. Have your air ducts cleaned
The EPA says that your home’s air ducts can hold onto 40lbs. of dirt, dust, and allergens. And that’s just for one year.
It’s not a surprise, then, that it’s recommended that you have your ducts cleaned once every year. The process will remove all that gunk from your ventilation system and everyone will breathe easier.
6. Call in the professionals to clean your floors
The simple fact is that brooms and vacuums can’t do a thorough enough job to get rid of the allergens that are circulating throughout your home.
Sure, they’re good for crumbs and dirt here and there, but to really get rid of the bad stuff that can make you sick, you have to call in the big guns: A professional floor cleaning company that can handle your carpets, area and Oriental rugs, hardwood, tile, etc.
Let’s face it – no matter how hard you try and what cleaners you use, you won’t be able to get the deep-down, winter-allergen busting clean they can!
See ya later, winter sneezes!
Follow these six tips to do your part in reducing the winter allergens in your home.
And call your friends at HammondKnoll to schedule cleaning and let our expert technicians handle the tough stuff!
