8 Tips for Reducing Allergens in Your Home

Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored conversation on behalf of Filtrete Filters by 3M. All opinions and content are my own.

Allergies are my nemesis.

I often lament that my husband’s and my genes seem to have created some very allergy prone children.  Our oldest child, Big B, seems to have gotten the worst of it.  With seasonal allergies expected to last longer than usual this year reducing allergens in your home is a top priority.

Here is Big Brother’s arm after his most recent round of allergy testing.

Big B pretty much has allergies year round here in Louisiana with the exception of one or two cold months.  And they’re pretty bad too.  Big B has allergy induced asthma so not only does he sneeze, cough, have red itchy eyes, etc., he also gets really wheezy.  Those of you who have asthma or have kids with asthma know that asthma combined with the cold or flu (both of which are common in fall and winter months) is no picnic.  Asthma makes your recovery from a cold much longer than would otherwise be the case.

Though my son has several seasonal allergens that set his nose a runnin’ and flare up his asthma, his biggest trigger is actually dust.  Yep, common, generic dust.   And, guess what!  Our homes are full of dust!

Here are 8 helpful tips for reducing allergens in your home:

1. Have a good air filter – Filters like the Filtrete Healthy Living Filters by 3M filter out up to 93 percent of airborne particles, like: Pollen, Smoke Particles, Pet dander, Household Dust, Smog Contamination, Dust Mite Debris, Lint, Mold Spores, Bacteria, Particles that can carry Viruses from the air passing through the filter.  I’ve noticed an amazing difference in Big Brother’s seasonal allergies when we use the Healthy Living Filters by 3M.  Since we started using them he has only needed his inhaler a couple times (previously he’d need it every morning before school and every night before bed). Make sure to change your filter at least every 3 months–our filters need changing after two. *See Below for more about the Healthy Living Filter by 3M
2. Take your shoes off at the door – Not only will this keep your carpets looking nicer, but it will keep dirt, dust, and other potential allergens from being tracked into the house.
3. Vacuum weekly with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter – While there is some debate on whether carpeted floors or non-carpeted floors are better for allergies, it is pretty obvious that no matter which you choose you ought to keep them as clean as possible.
4. Wash your sheets in hot water a minimum of every 2 weeks – It is also wise to invest in dust mite-proof covers for your pillows and mattress.
5. Keep the windows closed on high allergy days – This is where you can depend on your Filtrete Filter to really do its job.
6. Don’t forget to dust the ceiling fans – Dusting regularly is a no brainer, but places like the ceiling fan blades are often overlooked.  Allergens can settle on the blades, but are then promptly flung back into the air the minute someone turns the fan on.
7. Clean or wash your blinds and curtains regularly – I have our boys wipe down our vertical blinds with microfiber cloths ever week to keep them free of dust.  It is also important to launder your curtains regularly–or at least take them outside and give them a good beating.
8. Keep the kids’ stuffed animals in plastic bins – I’m not sure about your kids, but mine insist on sleeping with a menagerie of stuffed animals.  I’m always so paranoid about how dusty those things get.  In the future, when not in use, they will be stored in a plastic tub in their closet.

Always make sure you talk with your allergist about the correct ways to treat and avoid flare-ups.  In researching for this article I found several do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning that really surprised me (like if you’re allergic to dust or dust mites avoid shampooing your carpets because humidity fosters dust mite growth.  Who knew?).