Allergies in your house can make you and your family ill and unhappy. Common household allergies include dust mites, pet hair, mold, pollen, and cockroach droppings.
Because these small particles can aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms, it is critical to identify and eliminate them. By understanding where allergies arise and how to deal with them, you can make your house healthier.
Cleaning your house regularly, controlling the temperature, and using air filters can help minimize allergies and improve the air quality.
This guide will teach you how to locate and control common household allergens in your house to make it safer and healthier.
Common Allergens at Home
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny insects that like warm, moist environments. Pillows, sofas, and carpets often include them. Dust mites consume dead skin cells, and their waste can make humans ill. Sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and asthma symptoms are all hallmarks of a dust mite allergy.
To reduce dust mites, wash your furniture in hot water once a week and use dust mite-resistant coverings on your mattresses and cushions. Also, keep your house free of extra items that dust mites might hide in, and clean your carpets and furniture regularly.
Pet Dander
Dogs, cats, and other fluffy animals shed microscopic skin flakes known as pet hair. These flaky objects can fly through the air and settle on furniture, bedding, and clothing, causing allergic reactions. Those sensitive to pet dander can sneeze, itch, and have difficulty breathing.
Keep dogs away from beds and furnishings to keep pet dust levels low. Bathe and clean your pet regularly to prevent shedding, and use air filters to help eliminate dander from the air.
Mold
Mold thrives in high relative humidity spaces, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. When inhaled, mold spores can worsen respiratory disorders and cause new allergic reactions. Mold allergies can irritate the skin, wheeze, and cough.
You can prevent mold in your home by keeping the relative humidity steady. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom at all times, fix leaks as soon as you find them, and clean areas prone to mold using treatments designed to kill mold. Another thing that dehumidifiers do is maintain the proper moisture content in the air.
Pollen
If you always open doors and windows, grass, tree, and weed pollen can enter your home, causing unwanted allergic responses. People with seasonal allergies are particularly susceptible to pollen on their clothing, shoes, or pets. Sneezing, runny noses, and itching eyes are common among pollen allergy sufferers.
Closing windows and doors during pollen-heavy seasons and using clean air conditioning filters may reduce pollen in your house. Take a shower and change clothing after being outdoors to avoid pollen entering the home.
Identifying Allergens in Your Home
Conducting an Allergy Test
Consider obtaining an allergy test if you or a family member will be allergic to anything in your house. An allergy test can reveal your allergies. Skin stick, blood, and patch tests can detect allergies.
Inspecting Common Areas
Check your home’s general areas regularly since allergens are likely to accumulate. Important bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms need additional care. Check thoroughly for dust, mold, pet hair, and insect droppings. Flashlights help find mold in humid environments. Additionally, check your mattress and furnishings for spider mites.
Using Air Quality Monitors
Air quality sensors can detect dust, mold, and pollen in your house. You can buy these gadgets from online or offline stores. These devices can inform you about air quality, which can help you take action. Newer air quality monitors can detect humidity, which can help you reduce mold growth.
Reducing Allergens in Your Home
Regularly cleaning
Cleaning regularly reduces indoor allergic responses. Vacuuming floors, dusting surfaces, and cleaning mattresses regularly remove dust mites and pet hair.
Your vacuum cleaner should have a HEPA filter to remove pollen optimally. Clean the light fittings, ceiling fans, window sills, and hidden places.
Controlling Humidity
Keeping humidity below 50% helps prevent mold growth in your house. Dehumidifiers and airflow in the kitchen and bathroom are essential in rainy areas.
Fix any plumbing or roof leaks immediately, and rent a humidity sensor to assess your home’s moisture.
Clean Bedding and Blankets
Wash clothes, curtains, and other fabrics in hot water regularly to reduce dust mites and allergies. Covers that keep germs out can help prevent bed and pillow infections.
Washing teddy animals and other soft objects frequently will also prevent allergies.
Sealing Cracks and Crevices
To keep insects out, fix holes or cracks in walls, floors, and cupboards. Also, clean and shut food containers to keep bugs out of the kitchen.
Ensure garbage cans are correctly closed and cleaned up frequently to stay healthy.
AmeriStar Maids: Your Partner for Cleaning Allergens in The Home
Identifying and reducing allergens can significantly enhance your home’s health and air quality. Keep bugs at bay by cleaning often, minimizing humidity, and taking measures.
Consider hiring AmeriStar Maids if you want expert cleaning services that will leave your house clean and allergen-free. Our specialist can complete the cleaning and upkeep of your home to keep it healthy for you and your family.
To contact AmeriStar Maids, email info@ameristarmaids.com or phone (570) 310-1057. Visit AmeriStarMaids.com to learn more about our services and how to keep your house clean and allergen-free.