According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend roughly 90% of their time indoors. This increases exposure to indoor allergens such as mold, pet dander, and ozone from air cleaners, which often have a higher concentration indoors. However, there are some steps you can take to prevent these pollutants from hanging around your home and causing allergies and illness. To help you out, the pros at Acree have created a list of ways you can prevent indoor allergies!
1. Keep the Humidity Under Control
Mold is a fungus that can easily make its way into your home through mold spores. It can usually be found in damp, humid spots around your home such as your kitchen and bathroom. To prevent mold, one of the effective things you can do is keep your home’s humidity under control, ideally between 30-50%. If you live in a particularly humid climate, consider getting a dehumidifier. You can also take other steps to reducing moisture around your home such as:
- Using a squeegee to wipe down the walls of your shower after you are done
- Wiping up the area around your sink to prevent standing water
- Fixing leaks in places such as your showerhead, faucet and toilet
2. Vacuum Often
You increase the chance of allergens hanging around if you don’t clean up. Take the time to thoroughly vacuum your home every week to prevent the build-up of dust and dander. Consider investing in a good vacuum for the job such as a certified asthma and allergy friendly one—a bad vacuum can put dust back into the air. For extra cleanliness you can also mop up your floor to prevent any dust left behind.
3. Prevent Pet Dander
Pet dander is one of the most prominent causes of allergies, so make sure you prevent it from making its way into your home as much as you can. If you are allergic to animal dander, make sure your pets don’t come into your room – and be sure to wash their toys and furniture often. If you have a pet with long hair, be sure to brush and groom them consistently (while you do this, wear a mask to prevent any severe reactions ) as they might bring pollen and other allergens indoors.
4. Clean Vents and Registers
Try to clean up the dust buildup on your vents and registers often. You can either use a damp cloth to wipe the dust off or use the extendable brush attachment on your vacuum.
5. Clean Your Sheets
Dust mites can often accumulate on your bedsheets and cause allergic reactions. To prevent this from happening make sure you wash your sheets, pillowcases and blankets once a week in water heated at 130 F.
Prevent Indoor Allergies with Acree
We hope this list of ways to prevent indoor allergies has been helpful. If you want to learn more about how you can keep your home’s indoor air quality clean and allergy-free, get in touch with the pros at Acree! Call us today at (813) 530-9061 or schedule an appointment with us online!
