For many people, spring is the time when the weather starts to turn nice and we can breathe a sigh of relief. As we begin to tire of the winter wonderland, the short days, and the endless cold nights, spring is a welcome breath of fresh and warm air. Everything about spring, the emergence of many animals’ young, the return to reasonable daylight hours and the warm atmosphere makes you feel great. Everything except the allergies that is.
For those who are prone to them, allergy season can be a nightmare. The pleasant spring breezes that most of us enjoy are also the air streams upon which allergens hitch a ride. They make their way through the air, into our homes and places of work, and then they lay in wait to trigger allergic reactions.
Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do in order to prepare for allergy season and eliminate, or seriously reduce, the impact that allergies have on you this season.
Upgrade Your Vacuum
Your vacuum is one of your most important defenses against allergens. Allergens settle in your home and lie in wait. If you are able to get them with a vacuum cleaner before they are again disturbed, you can remove them from the environment and protect yourself.
As vacuums age they will lose effectiveness, so if you have had yours for a number of years, you should try a new one. Remember, when your vacuum loses its suction slowly it is harder to notice. If you use it side by side with a newer model you might notice a significant difference.
Allergy-Proof Your Bed
Our beds should be one of, if not the most, comfortable places in our homes. You can get special sheets which are designed to avoid allergic reactions. Check out these sheets from SOL Organics for some examples. It is also a good idea to get into the habit of washing your sheets at least every other week. Some allergy doctors recommend doing this every week instead, so if your allergies are persisting then this might help.
Dust be Gone!
While regularly vacuuming, many homeowners unfortunately overlook the importance of dusting. Your vacuum is great for dealing with anything that ends up on the floor, but no one really goes around vacuuming their shelves, do they? Dusting ensures that you are able to also keep other surfaces clear of dust and minimize the amount of it present in your home.
If you want to go the whole hog, then you could even invest in an air purifier unit. An air purifier will filter your air in order to remove large particulate matter and therefore reduce the number of allergens that are present.
Houseplants
Houseplants can make very effective and all-natural defenses against allergens. However, they can also be the cause of allergens if you aren’t careful. You need to ensure that they have a lot of space and circulation so that mold doesn’t take hold.
With allergy season looming, now is the time to get ahead of the game and get your home ready for the impending rise in allergens. Fortunately, getting ahead of this one isn’t too difficult. However, the window for taking action is closing fast!