Allergy-Proof Your Home
By Sara Butler
Your home should be a safe space; it should not make you sick. But according to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are a lot of toxins lurking in everyone’s homes. In fact, the level of pollutants inside exceeds the levels found outside! Indoor pollutants should be on everyone’s mind. Here’s what you can do to reduce the number of pollutants in your home!
Use Air Filters
You probably have an air filter in your HVAC unit or furnace, but is it the right kind? You need an air filter that handles particulates such as dander and dust, along with chemicals. You may want to consider freestanding air filters in your home in places such as your bedroom since that’s where a lot of time is spent.
Another thing that can impact air quality in the home is the cleanliness of your air conditioning unit. A clean unit can help keep the air clean, but a dirty unit has the opposite impact, making air quality far worse. Make sure to hire a professional at least every five years to come out and inspect your unit, cleaning it, too.
Pests
Now, you may have a home free of the big pests such as mice or cockroaches, but what about the pest you can’t see? Dust mites are a huge trigger for asthma and allergies in many people. They feed off the skin that drops off your body onto your bed, carpeting, furniture, and even your precious stuffed teddy bear. To discourage them, you should:
- Cover your mattresses, pillows, and box springs in allergy-proof or airtight covers
- Wash all bedding at least once a week in hot water and dry on the hottest setting in the dryer
- Keep your home cool since they don’t like to reproduce at temperatures lower than 77 degrees Fahrenheit
Clean Weekly
Life sure can get busy, but if you want to avoid problems with allergens in the home, then you must make time to clean once a week, minimum. Mop your floors, vacuum, and dust. If anyone in your home has problems with allergies, they can still pitch in by wearing a mask while they clean.
Keep Humidity Low
Clean, allergy-free environments all have one thing in common: they’re dry. Moisture will only encourage the growth of mold and attract pests to your home. The humidity level in your home should be between 30 and 50 percent. If it’s more than that, consider a dehumidifier to help.
Make your home the oasis you need it to be. Keep it free from harmful allergens!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Albuquerque, N.M.