Approximately 50 million North Americans suffer from indoor allergies.
Let’s face it, indoor allergens are the worst! They cause runny noses, sneezing, itchy eyes and make it difficult to breathe. Here at Afterglow, we want your home’s air to be as clean as possible, and for homeowners, that means understanding what indoor allergens you’re dealing with.
Here are the three main allergens Waterloo Region families will experience this spring and how to fight them:
1. Dust mites
Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed on things like dust and hair. Gross, right? They thrive in warmer environments like rugs, upholstery, and bedding and are the most common trigger for indoor allergy sufferers — making them a major annoyance.
How to get rid of them: It’s impossible to completely remove dust mites from your home, but there are a few things you can do to reduce them in your home:
- Wash blankets and bedding at least once a week in hot water.
- When dusting, use a wet or damp cloth.
- Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture once a week.
- Purchase a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity in your home — this will keep dust mites from multiplying.
2. Mold
Mold is an indoor allergen that thrives in damp, humid areas like bathrooms and basements. Mold releases dangerous spores that can cause breathing issues and, in cases of poisonous molds, brain damage or death.
How to get rid of it: Combatting mold growth is a matter of reducing dampness in your home. If mold’s an indoor allergen you’re having issues with, here are a few ways to remove/reduce it:
- Fix leaky pipes and check your HVAC system for standing water.
- Use a mix of bleach and water to clean mold from surfaces.
- Use a dehumidifier in particularly humid or damp areas, like your basement.
- Consider HEPA air cleaner to reduce spores.
3. Pet Dander
Pet dander is the flakes of dead skin produced when a pet with fur sheds. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not your pet’s fur that causes allergies to worsen, but an allergen in the dander.
How to get rid of it: Like dust mites, pet dander cannot completely be removed from your home. Here’s some ways to reduce indoor allergens caused by pets:
- Minimize pet contact on rugs, upholstered furniture, and bedding.
- Vacuum once a week.
- If your pet has to be on the furniture, use slip covers, towels, or blankets to trap pet dander and hair.
- Brush your pet daily and bathe them regularly.
- HEPA air cleaner will remove pet dander.
Did you know regular springtime HVAC maintenance can reduce indoor allergens in your home? Call Afterglow today (519-747-7732) and schedule an appointment!
Afterglow. Water, warmth, well-being.