All homes contain a mixture of indoor and outdoor allergens, but many homeowners may incorrectly think that outdoor allergens end in the fall. In truth, the outdoor allergy season lasts from spring to fall or until all of the foliage has officially died out in the winter. Plus, all homes need to control the indoor allergens that naturally result from dust, pets, mold, or bugs. All of those allergens will settle in the soft fibers of carpet, curtains, and furniture, which is why you could also be dealing with outdoor allergens in the winter if they’re not properly filtered out.
Some ways to help control allergens year-round and improve your indoor air quality include:
Regularly replacing your HVAC filters.
Dirty ones will just put those trapped allergens back in the air or make it harder for your HVAC equipment to work at peak efficiency. We recommend replacing them monthly.
Vacuuming once or twice a week.
This helps keep the allergen count low. However, you need to use the right kind of vacuum with a filter to make sure it’s not just putting the dust back into the air.
Keeping the humidity in check.
An effective HVAC system will help regulate it, so it may need some repairs if it’s not effectively maintaining 30-50% humidity in the home. A humid home creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow.
Maintaining good ventilation.
Moving air does not always require you to open windows, especially if anyone in the household has outdoor allergies. Instead, just make sure air is moving through the home, whether that’s from a central AC system or fans.
Use air purifiers.
It can be hard to avoid soft surfaces in places like the bedroom, so adding an extra air purifier can help those who are more susceptible to year-round allergies. Otherwise, make sure to dust and vacuum the mattress weekly or biweekly.
Replace bed sheets weekly.
It’s also great to use allergy covers on pillows and mattresses. To avoid dust building up in your denser items like pillows and mattresses, those covers will be the best way to protect them. Your bed sheets will naturally gather skin cells and dust, so it’s best to wash them in hot water every week.
Overall, having an effective air conditioning system that keeps the air moving, stabilizes the humidity, and filters the air is one of the best ways to keep your indoor air quality in check. If you’re struggling to keep up with home cleaning and dust gathering too quickly, it might be time for a HVAC upgrade. Contact Binder Heating and Cooling to learn more.
