Spring has finally sprung, which means new beginnings, much more sunshine… and a congested nose if you suffer with allergies. Spring’s warmer weather comes with an increase of pollen, dust, and other allergy causing particles that can make their way into your home. While some sniffles are unavoidable, there are a few steps you can take to keep your home as allergen free as possible.
Declutter
Decluttering should be another major step in your spring cleaning routine. Reducing the amount of stuff you have will not only allow to you better organize your home, it’ll also create less places for dust and allergy causing particles to hide.
You can also invest in organization and storage that can protect the belongings you decide to keep. Storing your clothes, decorations, or seasonal items in airtight containers will keep allergens and critters from making their way into hiding places to lay dormant until your next deep cleaning.
Clean
Spring cleaning is a no-brainer once we’re through the Spring Equinox, but there are a few tips to help you maximize your clean without kicking up dirt and dust that you can then breathe in.
First, make sure you always clean top to bottom. Working from the tops of cabinets or walls down to the floor will ensure that no dust floats downward to live on a previously cleaned surface. Dust is going to get stirred up while you’re deep cleaning, but making sure you work top to bottom will prevent any particles from getting left behind.
Next, you should put a particular emphasis on cleaning your bed. Wash and sanitize your sheets, replace or clean pillows – but most importantly, you should clean your mattress. Your mattress isn’t an area you might not consider deep cleaning since it stays mostly covered, but it can harbor a whole ecosystem of bacteria, dead skin cells, and dust mites. An untreated mattress could be preventing you from breathing easily while you sleep.
Treat
One important area that you can’t “spring clean” is your air. However, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your air is free of allergens.
Getting your HVAC system cleaned every three to five years will help keep your air system running efficiently, and it can help reduce airborne particles moving around your house. If you just bought your home, it’s probably a good rule of thumb to go ahead and schedule an HVAC cleaning if you’re not sure if it’s been cleaned recently.
In addition to your HVAC, remember to regularly change out your air filters on your heating and cooling system. Air filters catch impurities like dust, dander, and even bacteria before they can flow into your HVAC and through your home. If it’s been a while since you changed your air filter, it might be contributing to your allergies. Ideally, you should change your air filter every 90 days. You can make it easy to remember by replacing it every season.
If you find that you’re still sniffling after you’ve deep cleaned and treated your home, it might be time to invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers help take dust, bacteria, and dander out of the air that could be contributing to your allergies. They’re particularly beneficial if you own an older home with materials that shed more particles.
The weather is finally warming up, but with the sun comes a host of dust and pollen that can put a damper on your spring activities if you’re not properly prepared. Deep cleaning and treating your home will help you beat allergies before they happen so you can breathe easier and enjoy warmer days.
