Spring Cleaning Can Help Prevent Allergy Flare-Ups

By Maid Brigade of Northern CT

Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal – or year round – allergies, and while spring is welcomed after the long winter, it can be a rough time for allergy sufferers.

Giving your house a good spring cleaning can help you avoid allergy flare-ups.

You’ll want to clean or replace the filters on the humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air conditioning units, and the furnace. HEPA filters are good to use.

Also clean the outside and inside of the windows, windowsills, and screens using bleach.

Go outside and eliminate any damp areas and puddles of water around the exterior of your home. You’ll also want to get rid of the piles of leaves and clean out the gutters – mold can grow in these areas.

You should also wash or take your winter clothes to the dry cleaners before you store them away, vacuum mattresses and furniture, and check that your dryer is properly vented to the outside to prevent moisture accumulation.

Check your pillows and replace them every couple of years. Cover them with hypoallergenic covers. You may also want to have your area rugs professionally cleaned, and wash smaller rugs. If the rugs aren’t washable, replace them with ones that are.

Make sure that your doors and windows fit tightly in their frames. Avoid drying rugs, clothes, and sheets outside. If your allergies are really severe, wear a dust mask.

When washing clothes, linens, and fabrics, make sure you use water that reaches 130 degrees to kill dust mites. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter can also help with allergies.

Clean off your pet’s fur when they come in from outside because they will bring in pollen with them. People should also shower after they’ve spend some time outdoors.

If the pollen count is high, limit outdoor activities to late afternoon or evening when allergens are at their lowest. You can also stick to indoor activities and use the air conditioning instead of leaving the windows open.

You should keep no more than 10 plants in your home, keep the humidity of your home below 50 percent to prevent the growth of dust mites, don’t use fans because they stir up dust, and store unused stuffed animals in seal-able freezer bags to control and prevent dust mites.

If you want help getting your house ready for the spring season, let us know. We can come in and get your house clean and head off those allergies. Give us a call at 860-645-6243 and we’ll help you out.