As the days are getting colder, anyone with allergies knows what is in store for them over the next few months. More time inside means more days curled up on the couch with some Benadryl and a box of tissues.
But what if you didn’t have to deal with the itchy eyes and runny noses to such a bothersome degree? There are so many things that you can do to make it easier to muddle through this winter allergy season.
Continue reading to learn how to improve your indoor winter allergies.
1. Invest in an Air Filter for Your HVAC System
Having an air filter is one of the most effective ways to improve air quality in your home. The improved air quality will help to stave off the allergens that are likely to set off your allergies.
These are the best air filters for allergies that you can install in your HVAC system. You don’t have to have an HVAC system in your home to benefit from healthier air. You can also buy a standalone air purifier to filter out the potential allergens in your home.
2. Buy a Dehumidifier for Damp Rooms
Mold and mildew thrive in rooms where the humidity levels rise above 80%, according to the Basement Health Association. It is recommended that levels are kept below 50% in these rooms.
Your basement is one of the rooms in your house that might need a little extra attention in the form of getting rid of moisture that may be causing you to get sick. Moisture in the air initiates an environment that allows for bacteria and mold growth.
3. Buy a Humidifier for Dry Rooms
In the winter, the air quality in your home may get dry. Rooms in your home with little to no humidity may make it worse for allergy sufferers. This is when the irritated throats and itchy eyes may come into play.
Adding some moisture into the driest rooms of your home may ease some of these allergy symptoms.
Installing a humidifier can prevent allergy symptoms. If you are worried about putting too much moisture back in the air, place it on a lower setting. This will help to avoid creating the right level of moisture for dust mites and mildew to grow.
4. Keep an Eye Out for Mold Growth
The kitchen and bathroom are both breeding grounds for mold and mildew. Make sure that when you start seeing signs of them, you are doing what you can to get rid of it. Scrub it from nonporous surfaces with a bleach/water solution.
If you are allergic, you may have to have someone else do this for you. There are cleaning companies that can come in and take care of your mold issues without spending an arm and a leg on their services.
5. Get an Allergen-Absorbing Houseplant
According to NASA’s Clean Air Study way back in the late 1980s, Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum), Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), and Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) are a few of the plants that can improve indoor air quality.
These plants have allergen-absorbing capabilities. Having them in your home can help with your allergen issues. They act as a natural air purifier.
If this is something you want to do, make sure you don’t bring in any plants that may set off your allergies. Plants can potentially set off pollen that can be spread all through your house.
6. Stay on Top of Dusting and Reduce Clutter
Weekly dusting is crucial to reducing the allergens and possible allergy attacks from sneaking up on you. If dust sets off your allergies, wear a mask and goggles to cover your eyes, nose, and mouth or have someone else do the dusting for you.
Clutter can be the cause of allergies in the home. This can get worse in the winter because there isn’t as much ventilation. The doors aren’t opened up as often and the windows may be locked and covered in plastic for the duration of the winter months.
7. Purchase Hypoallergenic Bedding
In the winter, you are more likely to spend extra time in your bed. A hypoallergenic mattress protector can help to cut down on allergies caused by dust mites. Dust mites thrive in dark, warm places where there are plenty of dead skin cells to feed on.
Hypoallergenic bedding, i.e., blankets and sheet sets can reduce the chances of having an allergy attack during the winter months. Silk bedding or down alternative quilts are just a few of the options when it comes to getting hypoallergenic materials.
8. Keep Fabrics and Bedding Clean
Not only should you be cleaning your bedding regularly for cleanliness, but you can also reduce the number of allergens that may be hiding in your bedroom. You spend countless hours of your life, and a good portion of each day, sleeping in your bed.
It is a good idea to make your bedroom an animal-free zone if one of your allergies includes pet dander.
9. Keep the Floors Clean
Vacuum your carpeted floor at least once a week, more often if you have pets that shed dander throughout your home. Shampoo your carpets once a month to get rid of what the vacuum may leave behind.
Make sure to sweep your hardwood or laminated floors daily to capture any dirt or allergens that may be left behind. Mop your floors weekly to get rid of bacterial or allergen buildup as well.
Brace Yourself, Winter Is Coming
Being prepared for the new season is one of your best defenses against indoor winter allergies. If you are tired of just muddling through your winter allergies, take a stand, and get ready. Winter is coming.
If you found this article to be helpful, check out our other posts for more valuable information.