Act Now to Improve Your Air
过敏症患者知道每天在公园里trigger severe sniffling. But retreating indoors to clear up a stuffy nose or watery eyes won't work if you don'taddress the air qualityinside your home. Whether it's pollen, mold, or dust that sets off your sneezes, there are actions you can take to allergy-proof your home.
Replace Those Filters
Furnace and air conditioner filters are your first lines of defense against indoor pollen, mold, and dust. Clean the vents andreplace filtersmonthly to trap pollutants and keep them from being recycled throughout the home.
Keep It Clean
Regular cleaninggoes a long way toward creating an allergy-free home. Vacuum, damp mop, and dust once a week to eliminate as much as 90 percent of your home's dust. If your vacuum cleaner isn't equipped with a HEPA filter, consider upgrading; these filters trap microscopic particles of dirt and dust that harbor dust mites.
Related:15 Remarkably Easy Ways to Create a Dust-Free Home
Dry Out the Basement
Basements tend to trap moisture, leading to musty odors, mold, and mildew. Combat a wet basement byinstalling a dehumidifier. You can buy a small unit designed for a single room, or even install a whole-house dehumidifier. Either way, a dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the air and help prevent mold buildup from becoming a problem.
Related:7 Ways to Prevent Basement Flooding This Spring
Clear the Air
Another great way to breathe easier is toinstall an air purifier. Available in tabletop sizes or as whole-home solutions, these machines are designed to circulate air, capturing dust and other impurities in the process and leaving indoor air cleaner. To keep your air purifier operating at full strength, change out disposable filters and wash reusable filters when needed.
Related:10 Houseplants to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Eliminate Underbed Storage
Most allergy sufferers know to wash linens weekly to eliminate symptoms—but do you remember to clean under the bed as well? Too often overlooked, that space under your bed can gather a lot of dust, leading to coughing or sneezing. Pass a vacuum under the bed frequently and eliminatestorage belowfor easier cleaning.
Related:脏Dozen-12你可能从来没有干净的地方But Definitely Should
When in Doubt, Redecorate!
Carpet captures and holds pounds of dirt, dust, and even mold, which can worsen allergy symptoms.Tear out old carpetingand replace it with hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring to create a dust-free home. Likewise, swap out heavy drapes for lighter, easy-to-clean curtains.
For More...
For more ideas for a healthy home, try:
Is Your House Ruining Your Health?
Sick House Syndrome: 7 Things You Need to Know Now
Which Expiration Dates REALLY Matter?
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