19 ways to help allergy-proof your home

With nearly 18 million suffering from hay fever alone, not to mention those that suffer from food, skin, drug and respiratory allergies, what can we do to protect our homes from common causes of allergies?

Bolton online electrical retailer AO.com has researched and created a range of hints and tips to help allergy proof your home.

Following these simple tips will help to prevent allergies worsening or developing in those that don’t currently suffer.

Hay Fever/Pollen

Did you know? –nearly 18 million people have hay fever in the UK?

• Vacuum – Pollen easily sticks to your carpet fibres, so make sure you regularly use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Don’t just stick to floors, vacuum places like curtains, mattresses and lampshades where pollen can also settle.

• Shut your windows – Keep windows shut during the day when the pollen count is at its highest and open them at night.

• Dusting – damp dust your surfaces around the home to prevent pollen from becoming airborne.

Dust

Did you know? - Dust mites are most prevalent during hotter months of the year compared to winter time.

• Use anti-allergen bedding – put these on your mattresses and pillows to prevent dust mite allergen penetrating bedding • Pillows and duvets – If prone to allergies, look out for bedding that’s hypoallergenic. Feathers in bedding can trigger allergy for some sufferers and make sleeping very uncomfortable.

• Bedding – to kill dust mites and removing the allergen, make sure that bedding is washed on a hot setting of around 60 degrees.

• Storing clothing – store clothing in sealable bags to prevent dust and pet allergen from settling on them.

• Vacuum – Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter which will help remove allergen from carpets and home surfaces without redistributing into the air.

• Washing duvets and pillows – Aim to wash duvets and pillows every three months, to remove the millions of skin cells and sweat harboured in them whilst sleeping. Take them to a commercial cleaners if the duvet doesn’t fit in your washing machine. Dry clean any duvets or pillows that are filled with feathers and down.

Mould

Did you know? – Moulds flourish in damp, warm environments like bathrooms and cellars.

• Cleaning – Clean mould off surfaces using a weak bleach solution or mould remover.

• Surfaces – Regularly clean surfaces, particular in humid/moist areas such as bathrooms. This will prevent mould spores from having the opportunity to grow and spread.

• Taps and pipes – In places that harbour a lot of moisture, make sure taps and pipes are in working order and without leaks to help prevent mould from growing.

• Humidity – Make sure the humidity within the home is set below 60%. Mould thrives in warm, damp places so a dehumidifier may help prevent it growing in the areas prone to humidity.

• Fridges – If you find mould growing in areas of the fridge, remove all food and clean the inside with bicarbonate of soda and water and wipe with a cloth. Bicarbonate of soda is a natural fungicide.

Pets

Did you know? – Pet allergens are found in their skin flakes (dander), saliva and urine?

• Pets in the home – Stop pets from exploring or settling in your bedroom. Pet allergen can cause allergic reactions and can be stubborn to remove from surfaces.

• Dogs – in order to prevent reactions from pet allergens, it’s advised that dogs are groomed regularly, preferably outdoors, to prevent them from shedding their hair and dander, which can trigger a reaction.

• Cats – Bathing a cat twice a week can reduce cat allergens by as much as 90% • Where they sleep – Don’t let pets sleep in your bedroom or area where you sleep. This includes cats and dogs as well as rodents and birds, which are known to cause problems for asthma sufferers.

• Wash their bedding – regularly wash your pets bedding area to remove pet hair, dander and bacteria that they harbour.