Say Goodbye to Spring Allergies with These Helpful Tips

Climate scientists at the University of Michigan have revealed that as the world gets warmer, allergy season will start earlier and end later, with pollen levels in some areas even predicted to triple. With this in mind, it’s more important than ever to focus on different ways to help banish spring allergies.

Anti-allergen appliances

Air purifiers

• These devices can be hugely helpful for people whose allergies are caused by dust mites, pollen, pet dander, or other airborne irritants.
• Most air purifiers use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters made of extremely fine fibers that can trap 99.97% of particles in the air larger than 0.3 microns. Some models combine HEPA with UV light and activated carbon to help sanitize the air.

Dehumidifiers

• While air purifiers are great for getting some types of allergens out of the air, they aren’t very effective against mold or mildew. However, portable dehumidifiers like the Honeywell TP70WKN, help reduce moisture in your home, which is necessary for preventing mold spores from thriving.
• You can use a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity levels in your environment. If they’re above 60%, turn on your dehumidifier to inhibit mold and mildew growth.

Spring cleaning

Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum

• It’s important to run your vacuum at least twice a week during allergy season to help control any allergens that might be lingering on your drapes, carpets, or upholstery.
• Using a cyclonic vacuum or a vacuum with a HEPA filter can help prevent pollen spores from being released into the air.

Clean your filters

• No matter your HVAC system, it’s important to keep it clean. Every system, from portable air conditioners to whole-house AC, has filters that need to be cleaned regularly.
• If you don’t clean or replace your filters every 30-90 days, you’re asking for excess dust, debris, and bacteria that can irritate your respiratory passages.

Linen galore

• Consider purchasing special hypoallergenic covers for your pillows, comforters, and mattresses. These can be of great help to people with dust mite allergies.
• Wash all your sheets, towels, and linens in hot water weekly to help kill germs and allergens.

Helpful habits

Shower before bed

• Showering before bed can prevent you from bringing all the pollen and allergens you’ve accumulated on your hair and skin during the day into your sleeping space.
• When you do get into bed, do your best to keep Fido from joining you. You’d only be rolling around in all the allergens you just cleaned off!

Close those doors and windows

• If you want to keep pollen out of your home, shut the doors and windows. You especially want to keep them closed during prime pollen time, which is generally between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
• Not sure if it’s a good idea to open the windows for some breeze today? Check your local pollen forecast at pollen.com.

Do your drying indoors

• While air drying is an environmentally and economically friendly way to dry your laundry, keeping clothing and linen outdoors makes them magnets for pollen.
• To avoid pollen sticking to your laundry (and then to you), try to dry your clothing in the dryer, on a clothesline, or on a drying rack indoors.

As spring is fast approaching, it’s important that you prepare to deal with its accompanying allergens. With these helpful tips, you can be sure you’re ready to take on the upcoming allergy season.