Allergy Season Survival Guide
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Filter Away Allergy Threats
A vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will help keep your home super clean year-round, as will sticking to a good routine of cleaning and replacing furnace filters. Efficient whole-home air cleaners can also be extremely effective in filtering out even virus-sized particles. You can further supplement your clean-air efforts with portable air filtration devices. Available in such varieties as mechanical, electronic and hybrid, the best and most effective single-room air filters will carry both the UL seal and FDA Class II medical device approval.
Surface Treatments
Many allergens are airborne, but far more are resting on surfaces within your home. As an allergy sufferer, you may totally detest cleaning, but the longer you wait, the higher the risk will be that what is on those surfaces will go airborne and make you miserable. Frequent light cleanings are the best way to stay on top of what falls on your hard surfaces.
Laundry List
If you are a green-minded, energy-saving type who uses the all-natural clothesline approach to drying laundry, keep in mind that doing so means pollen will easily embed itself in your freshly cleaned clothes. Find a space for an inside clothesline and wash clothing and bedding in hot water to kill dust mites and clear away other allergens.
Pet Peeves
Pet dander can also aggravate allergies in a big way, so be sure to bathe pets weekly and keep their bedding clean. Keep pets outside if possible, minimize their contact with soft furnishings and banish them from your bedroom in order to maintain this critical dander-free zone.
Sleep Easy
For sound, allergen-free sleep, choose a non-allergenic mattress and bedding, and use dust-mite-proof casings for mattresses, comforters and pillows. Also remember to wash bedding weekly, and carefully store clothing quickly instead of leaving it out where it 's exposed to airborne dust and allergens.
A vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will help keep your home super clean year-round, as will sticking to a good routine of cleaning and replacing furnace filters. Efficient whole-home air cleaners can also be extremely effective in filtering out even virus-sized particles. You can further supplement your clean-air efforts with portable air filtration devices. Available in such varieties as mechanical, electronic and hybrid, the best and most effective single-room air filters will carry both the UL seal and FDA Class II medical device approval.
Surface Treatments
Many allergens are airborne, but far more are resting on surfaces within your home. As an allergy sufferer, you may totally detest cleaning, but the longer you wait, the higher the risk will be that what is on those surfaces will go airborne and make you miserable. Frequent light cleanings are the best way to stay on top of what falls on your hard surfaces.
Laundry List
If you are a green-minded, energy-saving type who uses the all-natural clothesline approach to drying laundry, keep in mind that doing so means pollen will easily embed itself in your freshly cleaned clothes. Find a space for an inside clothesline and wash clothing and bedding in hot water to kill dust mites and clear away other allergens.
Pet Peeves
Pet dander can also aggravate allergies in a big way, so be sure to bathe pets weekly and keep their bedding clean. Keep pets outside if possible, minimize their contact with soft furnishings and banish them from your bedroom in order to maintain this critical dander-free zone.
Sleep Easy
For sound, allergen-free sleep, choose a non-allergenic mattress and bedding, and use dust-mite-proof casings for mattresses, comforters and pillows. Also remember to wash bedding weekly, and carefully store clothing quickly instead of leaving it out where it 's exposed to airborne dust and allergens.
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