Managing Allergies with Regular Cleaning

Imagine waking up each morning without that familiar itch in your throat or the congestion in your nose. This might seem like a far-away dream if you’re an allergy sufferer. But with a few simple regular cleaning habits, it can become your reality.

Managing allergies with regular cleaning shouldn’t be overwhelming, even if they make your life a living nightmare come allergy season. Hopefully, this guide will provide you with the practical knowledge to reduce allergens in your home.

Note: This is not a medical blog. None of the advice below should be interpreted as medical advice.

Now, with the caveat out of the way, let’s go!

In this article:

• Understanding allergies
• Common household allergens
• The importance of regular cleaning
• Effective cleaning tips for allergy management
• Go for eco-cleaning products
• A few more tips for an allergen-free home
• Conclusion

Understanding allergies

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to something that’s generally harmless. We’re talking pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and the like. You’ve heard your doctor refer to these substances as allergens. They can trigger ‘fun’ symptoms like sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. For some people, allergies can lead to more severe health issues, including asthma.

Understanding what allergies are and how they affect your body is the first step toward managing them effectively. By reducing your exposure to allergens, you can also reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Common household allergens

Let’s take a look at some of the most common allergens you’re likely to encounter at home. These are the little buggers you can thank for your symptoms.

• Dust Mites. These are microscopic creatures that thrive in household dust. They feed on dead skin cells so you’re likely to find them in your mattress or pillows. When we’re talking about household dust allergies, this is the real culprit.
• Pet dander. Pet dander is best described as microscopic flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, and other animals.
• Mould. We’ve written a lot about mould. What we call mould is really fungi that grow in damp areas like bathrooms and basements.
• Pollen. If you get a runny or stuffy nose during springtime, pollen is the culprit. It’s a fine powder from plants that can enter your home through windows and doors.

These allergens can break into your home in different ways. They thrive in a multitude of environments so understanding their sources and habitats is crucial for effective allergy management.

The importance of regular cleaning

Regular cleaning helps reduce the presence of allergens in your home. You can decimate the number of allergens that trigger your symptoms by maintaining a clean home. This not only lets you experience the safety and comfort of a clean home but also supports your health and well-being.

Effective cleaning tips for allergy management

Most of the tips you can get about cleaning with asthma would be the same for cleaning with allergies. If you want to let someone else handle it, that would be best. If you don’t want to (or can’t), then read on.

• Dusting. Use microfiber cloths and dusting tools that trap particles rather than dispersing them into the air. Traditional dusters are bad if you want to do this right since all they do is spread the dust around. Dust surfaces at least once a week.
• Vacuuming. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap allergens. Make sure you have a good, powerful vacuum cleaner that can really deal with dust. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery twice a week.
• Washing. Wash bedding, curtains, and other fabrics in hot water weekly to kill dust mites and remove allergens other allergens. Make sure you’re using the right temperature and cleaning products for the types of fabrics you have.
• Air purification. Invest in a quality air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce airborne allergens. There are other things you can do to freshen up the air in your home, too.

Go for eco-cleaning products

Choose hypoallergenic and eco-friendly cleaning products. Products free from harsh chemicals are not only better for your health but also effective in reducing allergens. You can look for labels that indicate they are safe for allergy sufferers.

Or better yet, you can shift to using mostly natural products. You’re probably wondering if they really work. They do. And there are plenty of natural recipes that rival most commercial products. You can easily replace 90% of the products you use on a daily basis with natural eco-friendly alternatives and only use chemicals if you absolutely need to.

A few more tips for an allergen-free home

If you clean your home regularly, you’ll surely reduce the amount of allergens you have at home. But here are a few more things you can do outside of cleaning to improve your quality of life even further.

• Control humidity. Keep humidity levels below 50% to prevent mould growth. If you’re not sure about the humidity in your home, there are relatively cheap devices you can buy that measure it constantly. If you feel like dishing out a few quid more, they’ll even connect with your phone and notify you about rapid changes. But even the simple ones where you have to go to the device and look at the display work marvellously.
• Keep windows closed. This flies in the face of common sense, but hear me out. During high pollen seasons, you need to keep windows and doors closed. Otherwise, pollen (which we already know is an allergen) will make its way inside and then what happens? Allergies!
• Maintain HVAC systems on the regular. While HVAC systems are not the most popular in London homes, make sure yours is regularly maintained if you have one. Keep it clean to ensure they are free from dust and mould.

Conclusion

Managing allergies through regular cleaning is possible, though obviously, you should also discuss your allergies with your doctor. Still, by following the tips and methods we’ve outlined in this guide, you can create a cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable home. And, as always, if you need us, we’re never more than a phone call away.

Disclaimer: Samyx Cleaning is a cleaning company and this is a cleaning blog. None of the advice above should be interpreted as medical advice. If you have any medical problems, make an appointment with your general physician or another health specialist.