As winter settles in the tissue boxes and allergy medications are flying off the shelves at local drug stores. The changing of the seasons inevitably comes with a fresh round of allergies sweeping across the plains. Some of these allergies are unavoidable, but allergies in the home can be avoided with a few simple steps.
Mark Your Calendar
As with any battle against evil forces, knowledge is power. There are four primary sources of indoor allergies and they all have cyclical patterns when they peak and cause the most trouble. By knowing when each source is about to hit, you can take the necessary steps to stop the sneezing. Here are the main culprits and when they peak.
- Dust Mites- peaks in July and sticks around till December
- Pet Dander- this will depend on what kind of pet you have
- Mold- peaks in the summer
- Cockroach particles (equally gross and surprising)- peaks in the late summer
What You Can’t See Can Hurt You (or at least make you sneeze a lot)
Most people only dust or sweep when there’s a visible mess to deal with. However, weekly dusting and sweeping will eliminate those agitators you can’t see before they cause any problems. Just because you can’t see the dust on the window seal doesn’t mean there’s no dust there.
It’s Old News
Keeping a stack of magazines or newspapers on the coffee table or in the bathroom is a common practice in many homes. However, these stacks of paper can be a sought-after oasis for roaches and even mice. Make sure you periodically cycle through these periodicals so the critters know they aren’t welcome.
Splurge A Little
One of the best ways to cut down on home allergies is to splurge on good air filters, and change them every three months. The basic air filters will only filter out a few allergens, but the top shelf filters will help you breathe easy all year long.