Winter is finally over! Many of us are excited about the longer days ahead, but others are dreading the coming spring allergies. Allergies are so frustrating because they seem to follow you everywhere you go. Luckily, there is one place that can be a refuge from airborne pollen and other allergens—your home. Just follow some of our tips, and you’ll be well on your way to an allergy-free home!
What Goes Up
Typically, seasonal allergies are caused by airborne allergens such as pollen and dust mite secretions. How do these get in the air in your home? It may sound like a simple question, but understanding it is vital to defending yourself against allergies.
One way your air can become filled with allergens is if they’re brought in or accumulate on the floor and furniture of your home. Studies have shown that a rarely-cleaned carpet will cause worse air quality in a room than a freshly cleaned one. Some of the dirt and dust your carpet collects over time will end up in the air and potentially cause breathing issues.
Spring Cleaning
So now we know that cleaning our carpets and furniture helps keep our home’s air free of dust and allergies. Spring is the perfect time to get your house in order and do a full-on deep clean.
Here are some things you can do in your home to help your indoor air quality.
Wipe down window sills, blinds, windows, and light fixtures
Vacuum and clean your vents, especially floor vents.
Wash pillows and blankets
Deep clean your carpet
All of these tips will help clear built-up dust and other irritants from your home.
Home Humidity
There are a number of factors that go into air quality. While limiting particle pollutants is going to be the most effective solution to allergies, it isn’t the be-all-end-all of indoor air quality. One forgotten factor is the humidity level.
You want your indoor humidity levels to be between 30% and 40%. If your home is below that, you could suffer from breathing issues and other symptoms. Dry air can dry out and irritate your sinuses and throat. You’re more likely to catch a cold, or exhibit asthma symptoms if humidity is low.
Here are some easy ways to increase indoor humidity levels:
Get a houseplant.
Cook more often.
Crack your bathroom door open when you shower.
Air dry your clothes on a drying rack.
Dry air can exacerbate allergy symptoms, but don’t go too far with it. Humidity levels higher than 50% can lead to mold growth and cause other respiratory problems. It’s really about getting into that Goldilocks zone between 30% and 50%.
#NoFilter
When was the last time you changed your air filter? If it’s been more than two months, you might as well have #NoFilter! Your air filter prevents dust from coming in through your ducts. They do a great job of capturing all of those contaminants. However, over time they fill up. This makes it difficult for your filter to keep doing its job. Ideally, you want to change those out every month. Our maintenance plan is a great way to stay on top of your air filter replacements since we can do it for you!
Spring allergies are an inevitability for so many of us. You’re going to have sneezing fits when you walk to get coffee on a windy day. You probably have to stock up on some decongestant from the store. However, your home can be a place where you are at ease and symptom-free. All it takes is the right preparation!
Let us know if you implement some of these tips. If you need an HVAC upgrade or are interested in our worry-free maintenance plan, just give us at Anderson Plumbing, Heating, and Electric a call at (334) 231-6980 or fill out an online contact form!