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If you suffer from allergies and live in Sacramento, CA or the surrounding area, you need to take your symptoms seriously to get the relief you deserve. The biggest contributors to allergens in the Sacramento area are juniper, oak, and elder trees. These can lead to itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, rashes, and a runny nose. That is even without the added problems that come with common allergens such as pet dander and dust mites. Increased allergens in the air and your body’s reactions to them can put a serious damper on your daily routine. There is even the potential for serious reactions that require medical attention, such as tightening of the chest or difficulty breathing.
Here are some strategies for cutting down on the allergens in your home.
Allergy-Proofing Individual Rooms
Living Room
For most homeowners, the living room is a central location for relaxing and unwinding with family. It can be especially frustrating to have to deal with allergy symptoms while trying to enjoy quality family time. To combat allergens in the living room, the first step is your floors. If you have hardwood floors, make sure to have them cleaned and swept regularly. If rugs or carpeting cover the living room area, vacuum these areas weekly. The vacuum that you use for this task should have a small particle or HEPA filter. It should also be part of your cleaning routine to have the carpets and rugs deep-cleaned annually. This will remove any pet dander, dust mites, or other allergens that may get deeply embedded.
You also want to regularly dust all of the furniture in your living room area. This includes weekly dusting of electronics and spots like ceilings, ceiling fan blades, and corners.
Kitchen
The abundance of food and moisture in your kitchen makes it an ideal spot for mold and bacteria to flourish, making it a key potential contributor to allergies. Airborne mold spores can cause allergic reactions. The situation is worsened when spores can attach themselves to wet surfaces in your kitchen, allowing for mold growth.
To keep mold growth from occurring in your kitchen, one of the first areas you are going to want to look at is your refrigerator. A refrigerator is prone to moisture buildup that can lead to mold. To help prevent mold from growing in your fridge, wipe away excessive moisture each week. Also, take the time to throw out any expired food. Allergens can live in the drip pan, so clean it out as needed. If you can remove the drawers and shelving from your refrigerator, thoroughly clean them regularly and dry them before putting them back into your refrigerator.
Clean your dishes every day, as mold can develop from accumulated food debris in your sink. Spray any surfaces that have been exposed to raw meat or other contaminants in your kitchen with an anti-bacterial solution. This is particularly important in areas like countertops and cutting boards, but you can also spray your cabinets as well. To keep mold from developing in your sink drain, regularly treat it with a solution of baking soda and vinegar.
Bedrooms
As we sleep, we shed our dead skin cells, which dust mites thrive on. These microscopic creatures can exist in the millions on just one mattress, leading to allergic reactions like rashes, congestion, and sneezing.
Our bedding accessories should be kept clean to minimize exposure to dust mites. Be sure to wash your sheets and other bedding weekly in hot water. You can also add extra protection by using allergen-blocking covers.
Keeping areas in the bedroom, like curtains and drapes, dust-free is also helpful in preventing allergies. You will also want to make sure to regularly clean things like children’s stuffed animals.
Bathroom
Bathrooms can be a breeding ground for mold, due to the moisture that can easily build up. Disinfect your faucets, showers, sinks, and tubs every week with a bathroom cleaner or bleach. You should also wipe down wet surfaces, like the shower, after every use.
People often forget to include cleaning their bath mats and rugs on laundry day. Incorporate cleaning these into your routine since they not only collect dust but also moisture, which can invite mold and mildew growth.
The Role of Pets in Reducing Allergens
If you have a pet, you likely consider it a member of your family. That being said, you may need to take certain precautions in your household to prevent increased exposure to allergens, which can result from our furry family members. Pets can bring extra allergens into the household when they shed dander and hair, so brush your furry friends regularly. You should also remove pet hair and dander from the areas where they tend to spend their time.
As much as they might not enjoy it, you may also want to consider bathing your pet. Regular bathing helps protect them and you from the allergens that cling to fur and washes away excessive dander. Vets recommend bathing your pet every four to six weeks, depending on a variety of factors. These factors can include species, fur length, activity level, and any health issues they may have.
Just like you want to keep the toys of your children clean, you also want to regularly clean your pets’ toys. Check for washing instructions on the tags. If there are no washing instructions, always err toward pet-safe cleaning methods.
Upgrading Your IAQ
Part of your strategy for reducing allergens could include upgrading what is currently being used in your home for indoor air quality. For example, you could look into whether your current HVAC system can accommodate HEPA air filters. You could also check into having your system upgraded with UV lights, which can either kill or demobilize contaminants in your home before you breathe them in. It’s also worth looking into how much you could benefit from having individual dehumidifiers and air purifiers in the various rooms of your household.
One strategy for improving your home’s indoor air quality to reduce allergens is to have a whole-house fan system installed. Our team at Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation are experts at whole-home fans and recommend them for not only improving indoor air quality but also extending the life of your HVAC system, reducing your energy bill, and providing efficient cool air throughout your household.
Your Sacramento Allergen Reduction Specialists
If you are in Sacramento or the surrounding area and are looking to reduce the allergens in your household, you owe it to yourself to speak to our team at Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation. We can help provide you with a solution tailored to your individual needs and can do it while offering spectacular and dependable customer service. The services we provide don’t end with indoor air quality. You can also count on us for any of your heating, cooling, and attic insulation needs. Give Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation a call today to see what we can do for you.
