How to Control Indoor Allergens

Allergies are no joke. More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from hay fever. Many people don’t get respite even when they are locked in their homes. This is because of allergens disrupting indoor air quality. Luckily, there are steps you can take to control indoor allergens so that you can survive without too much discomfort.

You can control indoor allergens by cleaning to reduce them and filtering the indoor air to prevent their spread in your NorCal office or residence.

Controlling Indoor Allergens

These are a few common ways to control the spread of allergens:

Dust Mites

Dust mites feed on dust. By eliminating dust, you can effectively reduce dust mites. Bare walls and floors are a good option if you suffer from severe allergies. Make sure you avoid wall-to-wall carpeting. You should also avoid overstuffed fabric furniture and heavy drapes.

Frequent Vacuuming

Vacuuming is helpful in reducing atmospheric allergens. However, you need to use a high-quality vacuum that doesn’t just stir up dust and push it back in the air. Look for asthma friendly vacuum cleaners that are built for reducing airborne allergens.

Use Damp Cloth

Don’t dust or clean with a regular cloth. Use a damp or a microfiber cloth that can collect and eliminate the dust from the environment.

Avoid Pet Dander

If you are allergic to animals, you should not have pets that have feathers or fur. Animal dander refers to the animal skin cells that shed. These tend to collect in the fur and are easily scattered in the air causing allergies.

Keep Your House Closed

You should not leave doors and windows open during spring and summer season when pollen count is high. Make sure to change your HVAC filter frequently in warm weather to control dust mites.

Reduce Moisture and Humidity

Moisture from the kitchen, basement, and bathroom can increase the humidity in your house. You can reduce humidity in the following ways:

• Fix all sources of moisture, including leaks
• Don’t run showers in the bathroom without an exhaust fan
• Use a disinfecting agent on sinks and bathtubs
• Install a dehumidifier

HVAC Tips for Improving Air Quality

These are a few steps you can perform for improving the air quality in your home:

• Replace air filters regularly as per manufacturer recommendations
• Install a filter with higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)
• Service the HVAC System regularly. It should receive a tune-up in both spring and fall. Make sure the system runs at peak efficiency for keeping clean air circulating within the house.
• Have your ductwork cleaned to eliminate a lot of particles and dust that gets collected in the system. Annual cleaning is the best.
• Consider installing air purifiers that removes additional particles from the air
• Install a humidifier or dehumidifier depending on the level of air moisture in your area. Dehumidifiers are helpful in preventing mold growth by eliminating excess moisture. Humidifier keeps moisture at ideal levels and helps in reducing sinus irritation during winters.
• An Ultraviolet-C device can be installed in the ductwork above the furnace for killing airborne viruses and bacteria. It helps in reducing the recirculation of pathogens as well.

You should consider having an expert perform indoor air quality evaluation if these tips don’t get the desired results.