Thursday Mar 21st, 2024
Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year, but the allergies that come with it can be brutal. From sneezing and coughing to itchy eyes and a runny nose, it can be a tough few months for people who are sensitive to grass pollen and mold. However, a handful of simple cleaning tips can make a massive difference. To learn more, Gem City Cleaning Solutions outlined seven essential tips for cleaning for allergies.
1. Change Bedding Weekly (Minimum)
Most of us spend between 56 and 70 hours a week in bed. That’s a lot of time for dead skin cells, dirt, dust mites, sweat, oil, and other substances to soak into the sheets. If you’re keeping your windows open during the spring months, pollen is more than likely settling on your bedding as well.
To alleviate allergies and asthma, you should clean your sheets and pillowcases every week, at a minimum. The Sleep Foundation also recommends washing:
- Duvet Covers: Every 2 weeks to a month
- Comforters: Once every 2-3 months
- Blankets: Once every 2-3 months
- Pillows: Once every 4-6 months (if washable)
At Gem City Cleaning Solutions, we recommend choosing duvets to keep your allergies at bay, as the covers are easier to clean in a home washer.
2. Dust
Unfortunately, when the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and the windows are open, dust accumulates much faster inside. That's why, from March to June, we recommend dusting surfaces every three to four weeks.
We also encourage homeowners to dust mop weekly in high-traffic areas. By doing so, you can make a big difference in the amount of pollen and dust that are settling in your home.
Pro-tip: There are a lot of feather dusters out there that do nothing more than push dust around. To really make a difference, opt for microfiber cloths and dusters. They're far superior to their feather duster counterparts when it comes to reducing dust, and thus, spring allergies.
3. Invest in a HEPA Vacuum
Vacuuming your floors is essential to reducing spring allergies and is the most effective way to remove dead skin cells, bacteria, dust, dander, and pollen from your carpet. At Gem City, we recommend rolling over your floors at least once a week.
However, a study published in Environmental Science & Technology noted that vacuuming can be a source of indoor exposure to biological and non-biological aerosols. Translation: your vacuum may be spreading allergens around your room.
To keep your air quality at its best, we recommend investing in a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. HEPA vacuums filter 99.97% of particles from the air they're emitting.
4. Keep the Moisture Low
The winter is painfully dry at times, especially if you have forced air. As the weather warms up, there is a temptation to let all that sinus-soothing humidity in the house. However, if you have spring allergies, that damp air, mixed with dust and pollen, can be a recipe for a night of coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.
Further, dust mites and mold thrive in moisture. To keep yourself healthy, aim to keep the humidity level in your house around 45 percent with a hygrometer. If moisture gets too high, use a dehumidifier to bring it back down.
5. Purify the Air
If you have severe spring allergies, invest in a medical-grade air purifier that uses HEPA filters. These devices trap particles through diffusion, interception, and impaction.
However, it's critical to note that there is very little medical evidence that air purifiers improve health. That said, many people report that air purifiers alleviate allergy symptoms.
6. Replace Furnace Filters
To keep your HVAC system running smoothly and to reduce your spring allergy symptoms, it's critical to change your filters regularly. Most manufacturers will provide replacement recommendations that fall somewhere between 30 - 90 days. Your replacement schedule may differ if you have pets, a large home, or poor air quality in your area.
To help keep your allergies in check, set a calendar reminder to visually inspect your filters at the beginning of each month. If you see that your filter is caked with dust, it's time to replace it as soon as possible.
7. Use a Mask While Cleaning
Dusk masks are invaluable when it comes to spring cleaning. While they won’t prevent COVID or other air-borne viruses, they will protect you against particles that are stirred up while you’re sweeping, dusting, mowing, or gardening.
Staying Consistent Often Requires Help
Between work, children, cooking, and shopping, many people don't have the time to tackle all their weekly and monthly cleaning tasks. But, with some help from Gem City Cleaning Solutions, it's easy.
Whether it's weekly or monthly, we're here to tailor a cleaning solution that works for you. Please reach out to us to let us know your preferred frequency, and we'll help you alleviate your spring allergies.