Indoor allergies are a typical problem for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a very important part of controlling your allergies and creating a healthy, comfortable living environment. Here, you’ll find invaluable insight on how to improve IAQ for indoor allergy relief.
Understanding Indoor Allergies
Inside allergens include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, tobacco smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacteria and viruses, as well as pollen that makes its way into your home. These contaminants generate allergic reactions. When allergens are present in the air, they can induce symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and more severe issues such as asthma attacks and other breathing problems. Ventilation, air filtration, cleaning and other proactive steps are needed to minimize the level of indoor allergens, improve indoor air quality and allow inhabitants to breathe easier.
Reducing Allergens Through Proper Ventilation
One of the most effective methods to reduce allergens is to increase ventilation. Appropriate inflow of fresh, outdoor air significantly decreases the quantity of allergens in your home. Here are some ventilation-increasing tricks to try:
- Open windows and doors when the weather permits.
- Turn on exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when showering or cooking to remove heat, humidity and fumes.
- Purchase a whole-home ventilation system to evenly exchange stuffy indoor air with healthy outdoor air across the entire house.
Air Filtration and Purification Systems
Air filters and purifiers are made in numerous different styles. Some are developed to clean the air in a single room, while others operate in conjunction with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the house. They also eliminate allergens using a variety of techniques:
- Filtration systems—including media filters, electrostatic filters and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters—capture airborne particles in tightly woven material, stopping them from swirling around the house.
- Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, leaving them unable to reproduce and reducing the circulation of germs throughout your home.
- Air purifiers outfitted with activated carbon filters eliminate odors and chemicals from the air, helping produce a clean, fresh-smelling household.
- Electronic air cleaners have negative ion generators that adhere to positively charged airborne particles. The particles then cling to charged metal plates or grow too heavy to continue to be airborne. Those that descend onto household surfaces can be eliminated by dusting and vacuuming.
Regular Cleaning
Keeping your home clean is a crucial step in reducing home allergens. Here are some good tips:
- Vacuum your home at least once a week with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter to remove dust mites and other irritants from carpets and upholstery.
- Choose hypoallergenic bedding, such as organic cotton, bamboo or silk, which is naturally allergen-resistant.
- Wash your bedding weekly in hot water to kill dust mites and do away with other lingering allergens.
- Choose allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to stop dust mites from accumulating.
- Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other areas on a regular basis.
- Keep pets out of your bedroom to decrease dander buildup in the area where you sleep.
- Control clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and create hiding places for allergens.
Controlling Humidity Levels
Maintaining the appropriate humidity level is vital for managing indoor allergens. High humidity fosters mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity contributes to dry skin and inflamed airways. Shoot for an indoor relative humidity level ranging from 30-50 percent. The easiest way to do this is to run a whole-house humidifier through the dry winter and a whole-house dehumidifier throughout the humid summer.
Indoor Plants and Allergies
Indoor plants can increase IAQ by filtering out toxins and discharging oxygen. However, some plants produce irritating pollen, and watering them too often may stimulate mold growth, adding to indoor allergies. When choosing potted plants, opt for allergy-friendly types like spider plants, snake plants and bamboo palms, which help increase indoor air quality and are less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions in North America
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is committed to creating a healthy and comfortable home environment for our customers. With our wealth of experience in indoor air quality solutions and your satisfaction guaranteed, we are the perfect partner to fulfill all your IAQ needs. Contact a Service Experts office near you today to find out more about how our services can help you find indoor allergy relief.