Indoor Allergy Relief
Indoor allergies are a common condition for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a crucial part of managing your allergies and being able to reside in a healthy, comfortable living environment. Here, you’ll find useful strategies on how to improve IAQ for indoor allergy relief.
Understanding Indoor Allergies
Household allergens include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, tobacco smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacteria and viruses, as well as pollen that makes its way into your home. These contaminants cause allergic reactions. When allergens are present in the air, they can lead to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and more severe issues such as asthma attacks and other breathing problems. Ventilation, air filtration, cleaning and other proactive steps are necessary to minimize the amount of indoor allergens, improve indoor air quality and allow inhabitants to breathe easier.
Reducing Allergens Through Proper Ventilation
One of the most effective strategies to reduce allergens is to increase ventilation. Adequate inflow of fresh, outdoor air significantly decreases the amount of allergens in your home. Here are some ventilation-increasing tricks to try:
- Open windows and doors when the weather allows.
- Turn on exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when showering or cooking to clear away heat, humidity and fumes.
- Purchase a whole-home ventilation system to evenly exchange stale indoor air with healthy outdoor air across the entire house.
Air Filtration and Purification Systems
Air filters and purifiers come in many different styles. Some are created to clean the air in one room, while others integrate with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the house. They also eliminate allergens using several different techniques:
- Filtration systems—like media filters, electrostatic filters and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters—capture airborne particles in tightly woven material, blocking them from moving around the house.
- Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, rendering them unable to duplicate and reducing the spread of germs throughout your home.
- Air purifiers with activated carbon filters remove odors and chemicals from the air, resulting in a clean, fresh-smelling interior.
- Electronic air cleaners possess negative ion generators that bond with positively charged airborne particles. The particles then cling to charged metal plates or become too heavy to remain airborne. Those that fall onto furniture can be eliminated by dusting and vacuuming.
Regular Cleaning
Keeping your home clean is a huge step in decreasing indoor allergens. Here are some recommended recommendations:
- Vacuum your home at least once per week with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove dust mites and other allergens from carpets and upholstery.
- Choose hypoallergenic bedding, such as organic cotton, bamboo or silk, which is naturally allergen-resistant.
- Wash your bedding every seven days in hot water to eliminate dust mites and clean out other lingering allergens.
- Utilize allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to prevent dust mites from accumulating.
- Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other surfaces regularly.
- Keep pets out of your bedroom to decrease dander buildup in the area where you sleep.
- Control clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and create hiding places for allergens.
Controlling Humidity Levels
Maintaining the ideal humidity level is imperative for controlling indoor allergens. High humidity supports mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity results in dry skin and irritated airways. Aim to maintain an indoor relative humidity level from 30-50 percent. The quickest way to do this is to run a whole-house humidifier through the dry winter and a whole-house dehumidifier throughout the humid summer.
Indoor Plants and Allergies
Indoor plants can enhance IAQ by filtering out toxins and delivering oxygen. However, some plants produce irritating pollen, and watering them too often may foster mold growth, aggravating indoor allergies. When shopping for potted plants, opt for allergy-friendly species like spider plants, snake plants and bamboo palms, which help improve indoor air quality and are unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions in North America
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is dedicated to helping our customers enjoy a healthy and comfortable home environment. With our wealth of experience in indoor air quality solutions and your satisfaction guaranteed, we are the ideal partner to fulfill all your IAQ requirements. Contact a Service Experts office near you today to learn more about how our services can help you find indoor allergy relief.
