Allergy season has a way of making its presence known. One day you’re enjoying the fresh air; the next, you’re reaching for tissues and eye drops. For many families, this time of year can feel like a never-ending battle against sneezing, throat irritation, and restless nights.
While we can’t control the pollen swirling outside, we can take steps to make our homes a sanctuary from allergens. Let’s dive into some practical ways to improve your indoor air quality during allergy season, so you and your loved ones can breathe easier.
What’s Stirring Up Trouble Inside Your Home?
When you’re already dealing with a high pollen count outdoors, the last thing you need is more irritants floating around your living room. The main culprits behind poor indoor air this time of year are things like:
- Dust: It gathers on everything and carries all sorts of nasty stuff with it.
- House Dust Mites: These tiny bugs love warm, humid spots like your bedding and upholstered furniture.
- Pet Dander: Even the cleanest pets shed skin cells that float through the air and settle on furniture and carpet.
- Mold and Mildew: Damp bathrooms, basements, and kitchen sinks can be breeding grounds for these.
- Pollen: It tags along on your clothes, shoes, and even your hair, following you right through the front door.
Improving indoor air quality for allergy season starts with understanding what you’re up against. The more you know, the easier it is to take action and keep these irritants under control.
Tips and Tricks to Help During Allergy Season
There’s no magic wand for making allergy season disappear, but a few tried-and-true habits can go a long way in making your home more comfortable. Here are some tips and tricks to help during allergy season.
Give Your Home a Good Scrubbing
Start with a solid cleaning routine. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter that’ll trap all those tiny particles you can’t see. Dust with a damp cloth so you’re not just moving allergens around. Wash bedding in hot water every week, and don’t forget those throw pillows and blankets, too.
Keep the Air Dry and Cool
Humidity makes your home a paradise for indoor mold. A dehumidifier can help control moisture, especially in the basement or bathroom. Aim to keep humidity levels between 30% and 50%. Not too dry, not too damp — just right.
Run Your Air Purifier
Air purifiers with HEPA filters are great for catching pollen, pet dander, and dust that you missed during cleaning. Set one up in high-traffic areas and bedrooms for a noticeable difference in air quality.
Stop Allergens at the Door
Take off your shoes at the entryway, change clothes after yard work, and give pets a quick brush before they come inside. It’s all about keeping outdoor allergens from taking up residence in your home.
Upgrade to Allergy-Friendly Bedding
Switch to hypoallergenic pillow and mattress covers to protect against dust mites. They’re a small investment that can make a world of difference, especially for folks dealing with a dust mite allergy or asthma. These simple steps are part of learning how to improve indoor air quality during allergy season.
Ditch the Carpet if You Can
Carpets trap dust, dander, pollen, and other particulates like a sponge. Hardwood or tile floors are easier to clean and don’t hold on to allergens the way carpet does. If pulling up carpet isn’t an option, a good vacuum and regular shampooing can help keep things manageable.
Keep Your HVAC System in Tip-Top Shape
Your heating and cooling system moves air through every room of the house, which means it can spread allergens if it’s not clean. If you’re concerned about air pollution, it’s important to change out your air filters regularly and consider scheduling professional air duct cleaning in Nashville with Busy Bee Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
Mind the Pets
We all love our furry family members, but they bring allergens along with their wagging tails. Brush and bathe them often, keep them out of the bedrooms, and vacuum their favorite napping spots frequently.
Watch for Moisture Trouble Spots
Keep an eye out for water damage or leaks around sinks, windows, or the basement. Damp spots invite mold, mildew, and fungus. A good dehumidifier and some ventilation can nip that problem in the bud.
These simple efforts help control indoor allergens to improve indoor air quality, making your home a safer, more comfortable space for everyone.
Check the Pollen Count
Check the daily pollen levels before sending the kids out to play or going for your morning walk. On high-pollen days, keep windows closed and use your air conditioning to stay cool.
Shower Before Bed
If you’ve been outside, hop in the shower before bed to rinse pollen off your skin and hair. It helps keep it from sticking to your pillow and spreading through your bedroom.
Get the Right Air Filter
Not all filters are created equal. Look for one with a higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating, which traps smaller particles and keeps them from circulating in your home.
Don’t Forget About Furniture and Curtains
Dust and dander love soft surfaces. Wash curtains, clean under the furniture, and give cushions a good vacuuming now and then. It might not seem like much, but every bit helps.
Adding these extra steps will give your family the kind of relief that makes allergy season a little more bearable. It’s all part of improving indoor air quality for allergy season, one room at a time.
Wrapping It All Up
At the end of the day, learning how to improve indoor air quality during allergy season comes down to some simple, thoughtful steps that make a real difference. Tackling dust, keeping up with cleaning, managing humidity, and using the right filters can help cut down on all the sneezing and stuffiness.
By following these tips and tricks to help during allergy season, you’re giving your family a more comfortable, healthier place to live. A little effort goes a long way when you’re trying to keep your loved ones breathing easy.
Need a Hand? Call Busy Bee!
Are you tired of sneezing through your morning coffee or watching your kids struggle with itchy eyes at bedtime? It might be time to take action. If you’re ready to improve your air quality in Nashville, Busy Bee Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is here to lend a hand.
We offer expert indoor air quality services in Nashville, TN, and the surrounding areas that can help knock allergens down to size. Our team knows what it takes to help you control indoor allergens to improve indoor air quality, and we’re just a call away.
Your home should be a place where your family feels safe, comfortable, and healthy. Let us help you make it that way this allergy season. Give us a call at 615.991.2145 to schedule your indoor air quality service today!
Along with Nashville, Tennessee, our service areas include:
- Lebanon, TN
- Mt. Juliet, TN
- Hermitage, TN
- Franklin, TN
- Brentwood, TN
- Cookeville, TN
- Murfreesboro, TN
- Hendersonville, TN
- Smyrna, TN
- La Vergne, TN
- Clarksville, TN
- Thompson Station, TN
- Spring Hill, TN
- Columbia, TN
