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Coughing, sneezing, watering eyes and runny noses are all the markers of possible allergens in your home. Yes, of course, these are also symptoms you can suffer from because of outdoor allergens. However, those same outdoor allergies can find their way indoors, so you have to figure out easy ways of getting rid of allergens in your home. And while your house may seem like a vast space where dust and pet dander can hide and cling to everything, you can be mindful so that you can mitigate some of the effects.
When outdoors, most of the offenders are pollen, ragweed, and according to the Allergy and Asthma Association of America (AAFA), indoor allergens tend to come from dust mites, pet dander and cockroaches.
We have compiled a list based on the AAFA’s top areas and things in your home that might be problematic. These are our tools and tips on how to get rid of allergens in your home, broken down by area.
How To Remove Allergens Caused by Pets
We love our pets, and many of us treat them like they are members of our families. And there is nothing wrong with that, but if you are sensitive before getting a pet, according to the AAFA, it is probably best not to get one that has feathers or fur. Furthermore, they caution that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet, though some animal dander may cause fewer symptoms because they have fewer allergic proteins.
Dyson Ball Animal 2
If your home or any part of it is carpeted and you are sensitive to dander, we understand that it isn’t feasible to rip it up and start from scratch, but luckily, the best vacuums were created to help rip those allergens right out of your carpeting. At the high end of the spectrum is the Dyson Ball Animal 2 pet vacuum cleaner that sucks deep into the fibers of your carpet to remove dust and dander. It has a washable filter, so you can avoid that stinky stale small that vacuums can sometimes emit over time. Plus, it is certified by the AAFA.
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Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
For smaller spaces like your couch or other soft furniture, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum is a good option. This little handheld vacuum comes with a flexible rubber contour nozzle to get into those deep corners and crevices to extract allergens.
How To Remove Allergens in Bedding and Furniture
Finding a pillow that suits your sleeping style is hard enough, and if you have allergies, you want to make sure to avoid those stuffed with feathers. Plus, (gross alert) there are dust mites that, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, are microscopic creatures that feed on the flakes of dead skin and pet dander found in dust. These insect-like pests live in soft furniture, carpets, curtains and bedding and can trigger and worsen allergies and asthma in some people. But before you throw everything you own in the dumpster, there are ways that you can mitigate your exposure.
Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
You want to make sure that you are often dusting and using a microfiber cleaning cloth like this one from Mr. Siga. They are great for absorbing messes and spills and removing fine dust particles and fingerprints. You can use them on kitchen and bathroom countertops, mirrors, wood furniture, and appliances. Just don’t use fabric softeners when washing them.
ENDUR by Ascend
You can also invest in anti-dust window curtains like these from ENDUR by Ascend. They are said to discourage static, repel dust, lint, pet dander, and outdoor irritants. These curtains are another great tool for getting rid of allergens in your home.
Beckham Hotel Collection
Beckham Luxury Linens’ gel-filled fiber pillows are a hypoallergenic option for those suffering from asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues. You can throw them in the wash and are made for all sleeping positions.
AllerEase Zippable Breathable Pillow Protector
It is also a good idea to encase your pillows, mattresses and box springs in covers that prevent dust mite. AllerEase makes a pillow protector that blocks allergens such as dust mites, pet dander and bed bugs. It is also made with temperature adjusting technology that adapts to whether your body is cool or hot.
LINENSPA
LINENSPA makes a waterproof vinyl-free — no crinkling sound or plastic feel —mattress cover that not only protects your bed from spills but also has a zippered closure that serves as a barrier against bed bugs, dust mites, and other allergens.
How To Improve Overall Home Air Quality
So you’ve cleaned the carpets, swapped out your old pillowcases and taken enough Zyrtec to down an elephant. You should be feeling pretty good about yourself, your allergies and your efforts, but you’re not quite out of the proverbial pollen-laced woods yet. If you really want to kick allergens to the curb, we suggest changing your furnace filter (often!) and grabbing yourself a HEPA air filter.
HPA300 HEPA Air Purifier
Getting a HEPA or small particle filter can be very helpful in your fight to get rid of allergens in your home. The Honeywell HPA300 HEPA air purifier can trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles. It has three cleaning levels that help to capture pollen, dust, smoke, pet dander and bacteria. It may be a good plan to have an air filter in all the rooms that you spend a fair amount of time in. This Honeywell is for extra-large rooms of around 465 square feet.
Filtrete Air Filters
If you have a central air and heating system, you want to make sure that you are changing the filter as recommended by the manufacturer of the system or your filters. Filtrete air filters come in several different dimensions, so check the size that you need before ordering. It attracts and captures smoke, pet dander, dust, pollen, and lint. It’s 1000 MPR has a rating of MERV 11. The higher the MPR, the more particles the filter can capture. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you need or want to get the highest rating available because that could tax your HVAC system. Speak to the manufacturer of your system so that you can decide on the best filter for you.
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