How to Keep Your Home Clean to Avoid Fall Allergies: 5 Essential Tips
As the leaves start to change and the weather cools down, fall brings a new wave of allergens that can trigger sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes.
While many associate allergies with spring, the fall season also has its own set of culprits, such as ragweed pollen, mold spores, and dust mites.
For this article, we partnered with Jeanine Humphrey of Certified IAQ Professionals, which services the Boulder and Denver regions, to provide ways you can keep your house free of allergens as the weather turns cold. Read on to learn what you can do to breathe easier inside your home during this time of year.
Five tips to help keep your home clean and reduce fall allergies.
1. Dust and Vacuum Regularly
Dust is one of the main allergens that lurks in homes year-round, but it can become particularly troublesome in the fall when windows are closed more often. Dust mites, pet dander, and other tiny particles settle into your furniture, carpets, and bedding. To reduce their impact:
- Dust all surfaces with a damp cloth to trap particles, rather than spreading them into the air.
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture at least twice a week, using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter to capture small allergens.
- Don’t forget to vacuum under furniture and in corners where dust tends to accumulate.
Regular dusting and vacuuming will help eliminate allergens before they have a chance to trigger symptoms.
2. Control Indoor Humidity
Mold spores thrive in damp, humid environments, making fall a prime season for mold growth, especially after rainy days. If water leak occurs, this can make a fraught situation worse. Jeanine shares ways water can get into your home. “Water intrusion, leaking pipes, unsealed areas around tubs and showers, or anything that introduces water to an area can result in water leaks in your home,” she says.
According to Jeanine, after a leak occurs, the first 24-48 hours after the water intrusion are critical. “That is the time frame when mold growth will begin,” she says. “The best thing to do is cut a 1x1 section and create air flow into the space and have a mold inspection done to determine if growth has begun.”
Can you remove mold on your own?
“A common misconception is that bleach will kill growth,” Jeanine states. “It will make it go away but it will come back, sometimes in a bigger form. Bleach is a water based product so it can feed growth. If someone wants to remove mold on their own, the best product to use is Mold Control which is a product that can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowe’s.”
How do you know if the mold in your home is so bad you need to contact a professional?
”90% of sinus issues are related to mold,” Jeanine says. “Everyone’s sensitivity levels are different but usually you can tell by visual or health issues. Mold can be many colors from Black to Pink.”
Other things you can do to prevent mold and mildew from forming inside your home:
- Keep indoor humidity levels between 30-50%. Use a dehumidifier in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens.
- Clean any visible mold in bathrooms with a mold-specific cleaning solution.
- Ensure proper ventilation by running exhaust fans while cooking or showering, and fix any leaks or areas of water damage promptly.
By controlling humidity and acting quickly after a water intrusion, you can reduce the risk of mold growth and alleviate allergy symptoms.
3. Minimize Outdoor Allergens Indoors
Fall allergens like ragweed pollen are most often found outdoors, but they can easily make their way inside your home on clothes, shoes, and even through open windows. To minimize outdoor allergens indoors:
- Remove shoes at the door to avoid tracking pollen and dirt inside.
- Change out of your clothes after spending time outdoors and wash them immediately.
- Keep windows closed during peak pollen times (typically in the morning) and rely on air conditioning or air purifiers to circulate clean air inside.
Keeping outdoor allergens at bay will help maintain a healthier indoor environment.
4. Use an Air Purifier
An air purifier with a HEPA filter can be a game-changer for removing allergens from your home’s air. These filters capture dust, pollen, pet dander, and other particles, ensuring the air you breathe is cleaner and less likely to trigger allergy symptoms.
“Air purifiers are vital to every home,” says Jeanine. “Dust is made up of everything from rubber dust from tires driving by to environmental molds and insects. I recommend Air Doctor for a larger unit and it has HEPA and Carbon filtration. HEPA will grab 99.97% of Particulates and Carbon will grab VOC. When choosing an air purifier it is important to research the cost of replacement filters and make sure the square footage of the space matches the unit. For individual spaces such as bedrooms I recommend smaller units with HEPA filtration.”
Other things to note about air purifiers:
- Place air purifiers in high-traffic areas, such as the living room and bedrooms, where you spend the most time.
- Make sure to replace the filters regularly, as clogged filters can reduce the effectiveness of the purifier.
- Combine air purifiers with regular cleaning efforts to get the most out of your allergy-prevention strategy.
Air purifiers can significantly improve indoor air quality, especially for those with severe allergies.
5. Wash Bedding and Linens Weekly
Your bed can be a haven for dust mites, one of the most common triggers for fall allergies. Since you spend hours sleeping in your bed every night, it’s important to keep it as clean as possible.
- Wash your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water (at least 130°F) every week to kill dust mites.
- Use allergen-proof covers on pillows, mattresses, and box springs to provide a barrier between you and dust mites.
- If you have heavy curtains or drapes, consider washing or vacuuming them, as they can collect dust and allergens over time.
Keeping your bedding clean will significantly reduce the presence of dust mites and improve your sleep environment.
Fall allergies don’t have to disrupt your life. By incorporating these cleaning and prevention strategies, you can reduce the presence of allergens in your home and enjoy the beauty of the fall season without the discomfort of sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion.
Regular cleaning, managing humidity, and controlling the flow of outdoor allergens indoors will go a long way toward keeping your home allergen-free.
If you are interested in getting your home a deep clean to ensure it’s allergen free before fall is in full swing, request a quote from Clean Queen.