With warm sun and breezy winds comes allergies. Pollen. Grass. Dander. They’re here in full force which means learning all the tricks to getting through. A great source to find out the allergy level of the day in your area is to visit Pollen.com. They let you know what the allergy levels are in your area and what plants are more likely to affect you than others.
Signs of Allergies
Symptoms of season allergies include any of the following:
- Runny Nose
- Watery Eyes
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes and nose
- Dark circles under the eyes
Of course, you should always consult your physician for further questions and testing.
One of the best things to do during spring is be inside as much as you can away from the pollen and dander. With going in and out of your home though, it’s easy for allergens to move inside. There are easy things you can do to help cut down on the allergens that move in.
Use your Washer and Dryer.
Wash everything. Strip your bed of pillows, blankets, and the mattress cover. Run them through the wash once a week. Put synthetic materials instead of wool or feathered blankets down. Vacuum dust mites off your mattress while the mattress cover is in the wash.
Cleaning blinds is no easy task trying to get in between each blind and then some. Replace your blinds with curtains and wash them once a week. Hanging curtains with a simple cotton or synthetic fiber is much easier to clean than those that are ornate.
Keep blankets on your couch or lounge chairs? Make sure you wash those too. Especially since they’re also used by guests.
Attack with the Vac.
If you can, vacuum your floors at least once a week. not only does this help your carpet last longer, but you are staying on top of dust and allergens. Make sure you also move large furniture to reach behind and underneath. Pet fur, dirt, and other allergy causing bacteria get trapped in the fibers. You can also use your vacuum on hardwood and linoleum to get those hard to reach spots where dust bunnies pile.
Take apart your couch and chairs. You would be amazed at what you find under the cushions (start a vacation fund with all those lose coins you collect!). With some packaging tape or a lint roller, catch all the fur the vacuum misses.
Vacuum your vents. This is a small effort to help clear out the build up there. The next best thing is to call a service like Stanley Steemer where they vacuum out your whole house. Have you ever seen how dirty they are?
Everything has a Home.
This relates back to our Spring Cleaning post. Get rid of clutter and knick-knacks. These pile up on your surfaces and collect dust. If you don’t stay on top of dusting, it can wreak havoc on your allergies. Everything should have its own home where you can find it again. This help you stay organized and ease your cleaning regime.
Keep the Green Outside.
However, if you insist on having some greenery in your home, some plants are better than others for allergy sufferers.
Succulents are like cacti don’t have pollen. You do want to be careful though if you have pets or children you keep these up high and out of their reach.
The lady palm helps purify your air and does well in dry or humid climates. It is also resistant to most plant eating insects.
The dracaena is a very versatile plant. It also helps trap allergens in its leaves.
For those who like colorful plants more, you would do best with a peace lily or English ivy. These plants have pollens that are heavier and stickier which cause less issues for those with plant allergies.
We’re looking forward to the warm weather and long sunny days without the expense of allergies. May these tips help you as much as they help us.