Help Reducing Allergens at Home

Try to avoid exposure to the allergens that cause your allergic symptoms. Here are some steps you can take at home to help reduce the common indoor allergens, such as dust mite debris, pet dander, mould spores and pollen:

• Regularly damp-wipe hard surfaces and floors using cleaning products that are proven to remove indoor allergens
• Regularly launder and/or vaccum soft surfaces
• Keep all surfaces as clean and dry as possible
• When choosing furnishings for your home, keep in mind that solid, smooth surfaces are better choices than soft ones, in which allergens and germs can get trapped.
• Flooring: It is easier to remove allergens and germs from hard surfaces such as wood, tile or vinyl than from carpets. For softness under foot, use small, washable rugs and launder them regularly.
• Furniture: wood, leather and vinyl are better choices than upholstery. Wooden chairs with washable seating pads are a good choice. Choose furniture and light fittings with smooth finishings. These trap fewer allergens than ornate ones. Choose cupboards rather than shelves.
• Window Treatments: choose vertical blinds rather than horizontal ones. If you select curtains, make sure they are washable.