It’s spring! The flowers are blooming, leaves are growing... and allergens are out. While spring is always a beautiful time, it can also be the worst time of year for individuals with seasonal allergies. One of the best things you can do to keep yourself healthy and avoid those awful allergy symptoms is a little spring cleaning! Here are a few tips to rid your house of anything that will give you a runny nose, congestion or itchy eyes.
Keep the Windows Closed
First things first, keep your windows closed! While it’s tempting to let the fresh air inside as soon as things warm up, you’re also letting in all the outdoor allergens that cause so many of your symptoms. If you’re longing for those refreshing spring smells, you can plug in an air freshener or diffuser that uses essential oils. Fresheners and essential oils come in some amazing scents like fresh lemon and lavender that are sure to get you in the mood for spring.
Replace Your HVAC Filter Often
Since you’ll want to keep your windows closed for spring, you’ll need to switch on that AC to stay cool! When you switch on the AC, you’re relying on your HVAC filter to keep those allergens out of the house. The more your filter traps things like dust and pollen, the less effective it will be. That’s why we recommend switching your HVAC filter out every 90 days, starting when you first turn the AC on for the season. This will help keep your air clean and your allergies away!
Groom and Bathe Pets Regularly
After you spend some time outside, you most likely wash off the sweat, grime, dust, dirt and anything that your body collected. Why not do the same for your pet? Cat and dog hair trap in all of the allergens that they’re around outside and then bring them into your house where the allergens spread. It’s a good idea to take your pet to the groomer or give them a bath yourself after some extended time outside to avoid the spread.
Develop a Weekly Cleaning Schedule
It’s easy for allergens to build up in your home over time. The best way to stop this build-up is to clean regularly! You might find it easiest to create a weekly and monthly cleaning schedule that fits your lifestyle. For example, clean things like bedsheets, carpet and clutter on a weekly basis. Then deep clean your home once a month to be thorough. Be sure to clean your home from top to bottom, literally! As you dust and wipe up messes, allergens are bound to fly everywhere and settle down in a lower area. When you clean from high spots to low spots, you can collect the remaining mess at the bottom.
Reduce the Humidity Level in Your Home
Many households keep a humidifier running constantly in the winter due to the dry air. As it gets warmer outside, it also gets more humid, and you won’t need the help of a humidifier anymore. Keeping the humidity in your house below 50% will discourage mold growth and reduce dust mites.
We hope this list of tips help you as you prepare for spring this year! If you’re constantly cleaning and unsure what you’re allergic to, it may be beneficial for you to get an allergy test! Book a consultation or give us a call with any questions you have here. Happy cleaning to our Alberta friends!