Indoor allergies are a continual challenge for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical part of managing your allergies and ensuring a healthy, comfortable living environment. Here, you’ll discover invaluable information on how to improve IAQ for indoor allergy relief.
Understanding Indoor Allergies
Household 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 allergens cause 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 issues. Ventilation, air filtration, cleaning and other proactive measures are essential to reduce 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 strategies to reduce allergens is to enhance ventilation. Appropriate inflow of fresh, outdoor air significantly decreases the amount of allergens in your home. Here are some ventilation-increasing steps to try:
- Open windows and doors when the weather allows.
- Turn on exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when showering or cooking to clear away heat, humidity and fumes.
- Buy a whole-home ventilation system to evenly exchange stagnant indoor air with healthy outdoor air across the entire house.
Air Filtration and Purification Systems
Air filters and purifiers are made in a number of different styles. Some are created to clean the air in an individual room, while others integrate with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the house. They also eliminate allergens using several different methods:
- Filtration systems—including media filters, electrostatic filters and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters—capture airborne particles in tightly woven material, blocking them from circulating throughout the house.
- Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, rendering them unable to replicate and reducing the distribution 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 house.
- Electronic air cleaners possess negative ion generators that adhere to positively charged airborne particles. The particles then cling to charged metal plates or become too heavy to stay airborne. Those that drop onto household surfaces can be cleaned up by dusting and vacuuming.
Regular Cleaning
Keeping your home clean is an essential step in limiting household allergens. Here are some good recommendations:
- Vacuum your home at least every week using 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 once a week in hot water to kill dust mites and clean out other lingering allergens.
- Utilize allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to deter dust mites from accumulating.
- Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other hard surfaces on a regular basis.
- Keep pets out of your bedroom to decrease dander buildup in the room where you sleep.
- Control clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and offer hiding places for allergens.
Controlling Humidity Levels
Maintaining the appropriate humidity level is imperative for controlling indoor allergens. High humidity supports mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity leads to dry skin and inflamed airways. The goal should be to achieve an indoor relative humidity level from 30-50 percent. The simplest way to do this is to operate a whole-house humidifier in the dry winter and a whole-house dehumidifier throughout the humid summer.
Indoor Plants and Allergies
Indoor plants can enhance IAQ by filtering out toxins and delivering oxygen. However, some plants produce irritating pollen, and watering them too often may encourage 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 unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions in North America
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is dedicated to assisting our customers in creating a healthy and comfortable household. With our expertise in indoor air quality solutions and your satisfaction guaranteed, we are a great partner to fulfill all your IAQ desires. Contact a Service Experts office near you today to discover more about how our services can help you find indoor allergy relief.