The sun is shining, and the temperatures are rising, but that can also mean seasonal allergies are on the rise. There are more pollen, dust mites and mold spores in the air that can trigger allergies and disrupt not only your immune system but also your day-to-day life. Whether you’re dealing with indoor allergens because of all of that pet hair or just trying to figure out ways to say goodbye to itchy eyes, we have summer cleaning tips for you to help stop those sneezing fits. For those of you who suffer from allergies, breathe easy with our list of nine summer cleaning tips.
- Clean Your Air Ducts — According to Gallagher’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, you should clean your air ducts to help prolong the air filter’s lifespan, eliminate irritants and keep your home safe. If you suffer from allergies, it’s especially important to regularly clean your air ducts. You may want to schedule a professional cleaning of your HVAC system, especially if you’re not familiar with cleaning your air ducts. Filters should be replaced regularly to ensure allergen-free air circulation.
- Get an Air Purifier — An air purifier with a HEPA filter helps remove airborne allergens. You’ll improve the air quality in your home with this special filter. HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air” filter and they’re specially designed with pleated mechanical air filters to capture particulates. They trap small and harmful particles like pet dander, pollen and other popular allergens.
- Keep the Windows Closed — While we think of spring as the main season for allergies, there are still plenty of allergens going around during the summer months. Set up alerts on your phone for high pollen days. On those days, it’s best to keep windows closed to prevent outdoor allergens from coming in.
- Declutter Your Space — Decluttering your space does more than just cleaning up your home and making it look less cluttered. Too much clutter can actually collect dust and other allergens. Reducing the amount of clutter in your home can then reduce potential allergens and triggers. Start collecting items and deciding which ones you want to keep, throw away or donate. Start with big ticket clutter items like clothing and books and work your way through the other items at home.
- Dust and Vacuum More Frequently — If you aren’t already in the habit of vacuuming and dusting regularly, the motivation to help prevent summer allergens is a great time to start. In addition to vacuuming your floors, you’ll also want to dust and vacuum your upholstery. Pet dander and dust mites accumulate on furniture and carpets as well.
- Wash Bedding and Curtains — Yes, you also need to wash your curtains every now and then. Besides regular cleaning of your curtains, washing them will also help eliminate pollen and dust. You should be washing your bedding regularly, including sheets and pillowcases, with hot water. Duvet covers may need to be washed or sent to the dry cleaners depending on the duvet, so check the instructions on the tag of your duvet cover to make sure.
- Try Natural Cleaning Products — You may be surprised by the wide array of natural cleaning products that are available and ones that you can even DIY at home. There are plenty of DIY formulas online that include natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and lemon to start. Cleaning products with harsh chemicals and strong fragrances can worsen allergy symptoms. For an easy-to-use cleaning product that’s essential for every pet parent, consider getting dryer sheets for pet hair to help remove excess pet hair from your clothing and laundry.
- Clean Pet Areas — For those of you with pets, clean their bedding and toys on a regular basis. Your kitty’s litter box should be cleaned daily to minimize the spread of allergens. If your dog is only getting a bath once a month, consider bathing them more frequently to reduce pet dander at home. One easy way to clean up the area where your pet tends to nap or play is with the best pet hair remover. By simply running this tool over your pet’s bed or the couch where they nap, you’ll get rid of all that fur that’s been sticking to the furniture.
- Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space — We’ve been talking quite a bit about keeping your indoor space clean, but your outdoor space also needs to be taken care of to help reduce allergens at home. Regularly mowing the lawn and removing weeds helps prevent pollen from accumulating. Who knew there were so many benefits from a lawn that looks good, too?
Now that you’ve gone through our list of cleaning tips, it’s time to reclaim your summer and enjoy this season to the fullest — even with seasonal allergies. By using any of these tips, like sticking to regular cleaning routines or using helpful pet hair and dust removal tools, you’re well on your way to relieving those pesky allergy symptoms. Make your summer months a time of relief to embrace the great outdoors and your cleaner home without sneezing your way into the fall.
