Guest Blogger: 5 Tips for Controlling Indoor Summer Allergens

Guest Blogger #974, Entry #2474, May 30, 2013

As if it isn’t bad enough that you cough, sneeze, and wheeze your way through spring thanks to outdoor seasonal allergies, now you’ve discovered that the interior air in your home could be to blame for ongoing allergy symptoms. And there are all kinds of culprits that could have you rubbing your itchy, watery eyes, gasping for breath, and reaching for tissues day and night to stop up a nose that leaks like a faucet. However, when you know what could be causing your indoor allergens, you’ll find that there are a slew of simple solutions that will help keep them to a minimum or even eliminate them entirely. As you probably aren’t keen to hermetically seal your home and install a decontaminant chamber for everyone that walks in the door, here are some tips for controlling indoor allergens and creating the comfortable safe haven you crave.

How do you rid your home of allergens this summer?

Image via: JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

1. Eliminate sources.

If you’ve had a scratch test done then you know exactly which items are triggering your indoor allergies. But even if you haven’t been tested you can probably take a guess. The most common indoor allergens include cigarette smoke, pet dander, and dust. The first is easy enough to undo; just take your habit outdoors. As for pet dander, chances are good you’re not going to get rid of your furry friend, but you can certainly engage the services of a groomer more frequently and use shampoos and conditioners meant to cut down on dander. And all three of these allergens, but the last one especially, will require you to deep clean your home in order to remove as much of the offending allergen as possible.

2. Use green cleaners.

Did you know that the fumes from toxic chemical solvents that most people use to clean their homes are responsible for a number of respiratory issues, such as asthma and allergy symptoms? By switching to greener options you may be able to significantly reduce your respiratory distress, all while cleaning out other allergens such as dust and dander.

Helpful tips to rid your home of common allergens

Image via: Dura Supreme Cabinetry

3. Perform an energy audit.

Even well-built homes will settle over time, potentially suffering gaps that lead to leaks. Although an energy audit is ostensibly meant to determine where your bought air is getting out, you should also know that these areas are letting outside air in, potentially bringing outdoor allergens like pollen and mold into your home. By adding proper weather stripping or other sealants you could not only reduce your energy bill, but also your allergy symptoms.

Consider having an energy audit on your home

Image via: Bates Masi Architects LLC

4. Use air purifiers.

These handy, portable devices are a great part of your overall plan to reduce interior allergens because they are designed to suck allergens out of the air. With a wide range of models and prices to choose from, you can install small units in every room or spring for a pricier product for the area of the home you use most.

5. Install HEPA filters.

Unless you happen to enjoy geothermal air conditioning, chances are good that you’re using a standard HVAC system, which means your heating and cooling systems are probably spewing allergens throughout your home. If this is the case, you can combat the condition by installing HEPA filters that are designed to catch and trap allergens as they go through the system.a

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.