Spring has arrived, and with it comes the start of allergy season. Fortunately, there are practical steps you can take to protect your home and reduce symptoms. Jay Ayers, Indoor Air Quality Product Manager at Trane, offers several effective tips to prepare your living space for higher pollen counts.
Remove Clothes and Shoes Immediately After Coming Indoors
Pollen attaches easily to clothing and pet fur even if you can’t see it. Change into clean indoor clothes when you come inside to avoid spreading pollen onto furniture or carpets. Wipe down pets with a damp cloth or pet-safe wipe to remove pollen from their coats.
Wash Clothing and Bedding Once a Week
Pollen and other allergens travel through the air and can settle in on fabrics. Wash bedding weekly to prevent buildup. To effectively remove dust mites and many allergens, washing at higher temperatures — around 130°F (54°C) — is recommended when the fabric allows.
Use a Clothes Dryer, Not an Outdoor Line
Avoid drying clothes or bedding outdoors when pollen counts are high, since line drying can reintroduce allergens onto freshly washed items.
Keep Doors and Windows Shut
While it’s tempting to bring fresh air into the house after a long winter, open windows and doors let pollen inside. Keep them closed during peak pollen periods. Consider installing a whole-home air cleaning system such as the Trane CleanEffects Whole-Home Air Filtration System, which is designed to remove a high percentage of airborne particles, including pollen, dust, pet dander, and other common indoor pollutants.
Take Allergy Medicine Before Going Outside
Allergy medications are most effective when taken before exposure. Taking your medicine prior to going outdoors can help prevent your body from releasing histamines and reduce symptom severity.
Dust and Vacuum on a Regular Basis
Regular dusting and vacuuming several times a week helps remove pollen and other allergens that settle on surfaces and floors. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter if possible, and dust with a damp cloth to avoid spreading particles into the air.
Place Certified Bedding on All Mattresses and Pillows
Use certified hypoallergenic or allergy-barrier mattress and pillow covers to limit allergens from penetrating bedding. Ensure coverings fully encase the mattress and pillows so pollen, dust mites, and other irritants cannot settle inside.
Change Your Bedtime Routine
Showering at night helps remove allergens that collected on your skin, hair, and face during the day. This prevents transferring pollen to pillows and bedding and can reduce nighttime symptoms.
Maintain Your Garden
Trim and prune lawn and garden plants throughout spring. Keeping grasses and ornamental plants well-maintained reduces the amount of pollen they release and prevents tall blades from trapping pollen from trees and flowers.
Educate Yourself
Learn about local pollen patterns and check daily pollen counts and forecasts. Pollen levels are often highest early in the morning, so plan outdoor activities for times when counts are lower, such as after rain or later in the day.