10 Ways to Improve your Allergies in your Home

It’s Allergy Awareness Week this week, where Allergy UK tries to raise the profile of allergies and how they can affect sufferers. We’ve put together a list of 10 things you can do to improve the allergies of sufferers in your home.

1. Close windows

It sounds awful during the spring and summer months, but if you suffer from hayfever it’s best not to have your windows open during the day. You’ll just end up letting pollen in and blowing it around your home, making it difficult to breathe.

Try opening your windows at night, allowing cooler air into the room, so your home doesn’t warm up as much during the day. Also keeping your curtains closed will help to stop your home getting too warm.

2. Opt for hard flooring

hard flooring for allergiesCarpet is great for comfort and keeping your home warm, but it’s a nightmare for people who suffer from dust or pet allergies. Replace any carpet with wood, tile, laminate or linoleum to help sufferers.

Add small rugs to rooms where a little comfort is needed and ensure that you vacuum at least once a week. It’s best to get a vacuum that has a HEPA filter to help trap allergens.

3. Protect your pillows

Invest in plastic cases or allergen-proof covers for mattresses and pillows. You can even buy hypoallergenic pillows these days.

4. Glove up

It might sound a bit extreme, but if you have bad dust or chemical allergies it’s best to wear a mask and gloves when you’re cleaning and vacuuming. At least you’ll give the kids a laugh!

5. Wash your shower curtains

Opt for washable shower curtains and wash them with mould-killing products. Mould spores can cause significant allergies so it’s best to prevent it as best you can.

extractor fan to prevent mould allergies
Image via Pinterest

6. Ventilate your home

Although you don’t want to have windows open all the time if you suffer from hayfever, you must ventilate rooms to prevent mould, especially the bathroom and kitchen. Keep windows open when you shower and use extractor fans wherever you can.

7. Keep books out

It’s a bad idea to keep bookshelves in your bedroom, as books gather a lot of dust. Just keep a couple next to your bed that you’re reading and switch them when you’re done.

8. Ban the shoes

Don’t allow shoes to be worn inside your home. Place a shoe rack near your front door to encourage your family to take off their shoes before walking around the house. Think about all the allergens you’ll pick up from outside on your shoes.

9. Use roller blinds

Avoid having heavy drapes around your windows or using blinds, as they’ll just trap a lot of dust. Consider choosing washable curtains or getting roller blinds, which look stylish and are easy to clean.

10. Say no to upholstered furniture

Avoid upholstered furniture as it will trap dust, pollen and animal dander. Get leather or pleather which can be wiped clean and won’t trap dirt the same way.

Try out just some of these tips and see if they make a difference to your allergies. To find out more about Allergy Awareness Week and Allergy UK, visit their website.