With spring comes pollen, which for many folks, means allergies. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help alleviate your allergy symptoms at home. These include:
Tips to alleviate allergies in the home
- Regular cleaning – especially vacuuming carpets and rugs and washing bedding in hot water. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. Use unscented cleaning supplies as the fragrances can make allergies worse.
- Take shoes off at the door – wearing shoes outside and then inside can track allergens into the home.
- Take care when cleaning – Use a mask while cleaning or turn the job over to someone without allergies.
- Use AC or purchase an air filter – Air-conditioning actually filters the air, so consider turning it on occasionally if allergies bother you.
Best Flooring Choice for Allergy Sufferers
You may also be wondering if your choice of flooring has an impact on allergies. Many sources will tell you that carpets and rugs are worst for allergies while wood and cork flooring are best. The logic behind this recommendation is the carpet traps allergens, thereby increasing the allergen content of your home. However, the same logic can be used to reach another conclusion – since carpet traps allergens, those particles are not floating around in the air. In fact, according to Shaw Floors:
Multiple scientific studies have concluded that carpet fibers, in trapping and immobilizing potential allergy-causing particulates, can actually help people with allergies. If allergens are in the carpet, they’re not circulating in the indoor air stream.
Whatever the case may be, vacuuming your carpets regularly will remove the trapped allergens from your home. Additionally, hypoallergenic and low VOC carpet padding can be used when laying carpet.
In the non-carpet camp, wood, cork, tile, or low VOC vinyl flooring are recommended for allergy sufferers. Cork, in particular, is a green flooring option that naturally inhibits the growth of mold and mildew, bacteria and other allergens.
Whatever option you choose, regular cleaning of your floor can make a world of difference to your allergy symptoms.