{"id":1595,"date":"2019-04-25T16:21:11","date_gmt":"2019-04-25T16:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drduct.net\/?p=1595"},"modified":"2020-02-06T06:40:17","modified_gmt":"2020-02-06T11:40:17","slug":"eliminate-pollen-from-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drduct.net\/eliminate-pollen-from-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Allergy Alert: Eliminate Pollen from Your Home This Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

The warmer climes of spring may be a welcome relief from harsh Canadian winters; unfortunately, spring brings its own challenges, specifically for those with pollen allergies. Contending with an allergic reaction while venturing outdoors is hard enough without having to do so in the security of your own home. The home should offer some respite from outdoor pollutants. However, pollen and other allergens can (and do) find their way indoors through various means including windows, dryer ducts, and the shoes you take inside.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to keep pollen from pestering you in your own home this spring and causing hay fever. Take note of the following tips:<\/p>\n

Declutter your home<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The more objects you have in your home, the more places there are for pollen and other allergens to accumulate. Removing the clutter from your home reduces the number of sites where pollen can settle and hide. There are several creative ways to declutter your home<\/a>. Look into them, find out which method works best for you. Following any (or all) of these methods do not require you to switch to a minimalist lifestyle. It can, however, offer you one other advantage in addition to less pollen — a more organized and more spacious living space.<\/p>\n

\"Air<\/p>\n

Clean your air ducts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Air ducts provide various pollutants, including pollen, a hidey-hole to sneak into and reside. Cleaning air ducts have several health benefits<\/a> including evicting allergens and preventing them from attracting more. Maintaining your ducts allows you to locate and repair leaks (if any) and ensures that your home is well-ventilated. It also keeps humidity levels even throughout your home, which prevents dry air from tossing allergens around.<\/p>\n

Remove carpets or rugs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Carpets and rugs attract all manner of allergens including pollen. Even with a vacuum cleaner, it can be quite challenging to remove these from a carpet or rug since they tend to stick to the fibres. If you haven\u2019t already, it may be wiser not to install carpets in the first place. If you do have them, consider removing them altogether. Look into replacing them with hardwood floors, tile, or linoleum, as these do not offer pollen additional places to hide and are much easier to clean and maintain.<\/p>\n

Switch out curtains and blinds<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

Curtains and blinds are as efficient at trapping allergens as carpets and rugs. Wash your curtains regularly to minimize how much pollen there is in your home. Consider replacing them with washable curtains made of lightweight material like synthetic fabric or cotton. If you have horizontal blinds, you may need to replace these as well since they are difficult to clean. Washable shades are a good alternative.<\/p>\n

Vacuum<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vacuum your house regularly during pollen season to evict any stray intruders. Choose a vacuum with a powerful suction and a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter which will allow you to capture particles as tiny as .3 microns. This includes pollen (10 to 1000 microns)<\/a>, mould spores (10 to 30 microns), and large dust particles (2.5 to 10 microns). If possible, select one with a sealed air system, so allergens are not recirculated into the air through the exhaust. For people with allergies, a bagged vacuum is the better choice. However, with the necessary precautions, allergy sufferers can make do with bagless ones so long as they take it outside before dumping the contents into a bag.<\/p>\n

Keep pollen out<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here are a few ways you can prevent pollen from getting inside your home:<\/p>\n

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