According to experts, research has shown that the air inside your home is often more polluted than that outside. Some pollutants can be as much as 20-30 times higher indoors. These findings are even more important when you realize that most people spend between 75% and 90% of their time indoors. If you have allergies, this can be very painful and frustrating. People with asthma suffer additional discomfort and constricted airways. Some people find relief “off season,” but if you suffer year-round from allergies, there are several factors that you have control over that will help bring you relief from those sinus headaches, itchy eyes, and congestion.

Ideally, you try to escape from this pollen in your home where you expect to enjoy yourself. But even the most meticulously kept house can be a source of microscopic allergens that can trigger dangerous symptoms for allergy sufferers. The most common allergen is household dust, which comprises decaying organic materials, including lint, hair, skin flakes, molds, animal fur, pollen, and insect particles. Researchers estimate that dust particles may be a trigger for up to 80 percent of asthmatics and responsible for countless cases of eczema.

Dust mites are microscopic mites that live in dust. They thrive in warm, humid environments and are commonly found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture (including the seats of your car). Dust mite excrement is another common year-round allergen.

Molds, mildew, and fungi also thrive in warm, moist, and poorly lit areas and can be found anywhere in the home. Basements and bathrooms are prime breeding areas, but kitchens, dens, and bedrooms can also harbor mold spores by the millions.

One of the ways we get allergies is from pollen, which is a powder-like substance produced by blooming grasses, trees, and weeds and is released into the air and then circulates easily in the wind. These tiny porcupine-like invaders dig into the delicate membranes in your nose, triggering a quick reaction from your immune system. Pollen can become an unwelcome guest inside your home, lasting long after the pollen season is gone.

In addition, contrary to popular belief, it is not dog and cat hair that people are allergic to. Rather, a protein found in the pet's dander and saliva is the true culprit. Consequently, even if no pet hairs are present, there can be large quantities of the allergen. Dander often attaches to vertical surfaces such as walls, picture frames, curtains, and lampshades and settles on soft surfaces such as carpets, bedding, and upholstery.

Even without allergies, knowing this can make anyone queasy.

What To Do

There’s not much you can do about the outdoor environment, but there are a number of things you can do to rid your home of everyday allergens. Let’s start with your bedroom.

Your Bedroom

You spend approximately one-third of your life in your bedroom. If you rid your sleeping area of harmful allergens, you will be giving your respiratory system a chance to rest and build up strength for those times when you have no control.

• Invest in allergen-proof encasements for your mattress and pillows. They are both breeding grounds for dust mites. Or, choose foam rubber mattresses instead.
• All bedding—including blankets—should be washed in hot water (about 130 degrees) once a week. Cold or warm water won't do the trick.
• Make sure your laundry detergent is scent-free as well. A good choice for detergent is one that contains baking soda and/or bleach.
• Replace your pillows every six months.
• Get rid of your down comforters; they can wreak havoc with your respiratory system. Stay away from all items containing down or feathers.
• Flip your mattress every few weeks to keep the dust mites at bay.
• Choose wood flooring over carpet. Wood floors are a lot easier to clean and to keep clean. If you must use carpeting, choose one with a low pile so dust has no place to hide. Always keep the floors clear so you can dust and vacuum easily. If you must have a rug, make sure it's machine washable.
• Clothing collects dust, too. If possible, keep all clothing in a closet or dressing room apart from the bedroom area.
• Invest in an air conditioner. You'll be able to keep windows closed, so pollen doesn't enter. And you'll also be filtering out mold spores. Make sure you keep the air conditioner filter clean. 

The Rest of Your House

• Regularly dust all of your shelves and near your knickknacks. Better yet, get rid of those knickknacks and keep only your cherished ones. Display them in a glass case that’s easy to clean.
• Try not to breathe fumes from paint, insecticides, strong cleansers, or products containing irritants. Wear a mask (an inexpensive painters mask) when doing any cleaning, to prevent breathing in dust as well as cleaning fumes.
• Use light curtains or shades on your windows (rather than blinds) to prevent piles of dust on your draperies, preferably drapes that can be tossed in the washer or wiped down with a cleanser and sponge.
• If you must have blinds, make sure to have them professionally cleaned to prevent dust buildup.
• All walls should be washed down on a monthly basis.
• When you are cleaning, make sure to go after those hard-to-reach spots under the furniture, where dust may end up caking.
• Make sure your windows seal tightly to keep harmful pollutants out.
• Don’t ignore your ceiling fans or summer fans; clean them regularly to make sure they aren’t releasing dust in the air every time you run them.
• Use a double-bag vacuum. Look for one with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. An ordinary vacuum can actually leave ten times more dust around after you use it. Vacuum twice a week, at least. And if you do it yourself, consider wearing a mask.
• Air out damp clothes and shoes (in the house) before storing.
• Remove laundry from the washing machine promptly. Don't leave wet clothes in the washer where mold can quickly grow.
• Use your dryer. Laundry hung outdoors to dry can pick up pollen and spores from the air. Your dryer will also filter out allergens as it dries.
• Don't collect too many indoor plants as soil encourages mold growth.
• Keep food or garbage in closed containers.  Take garbage out regularly.  Rinse all cans and bottles before throwing them in kitchen trash to discourage cockroaches.  Do NOT store paper bags, newspapers, or cardboard boxes.
• Be sure that dishes are dried completely before putting them away.
• Avoid wood burning fireplaces and stoves. But if you do have one, make sure you store your wood outside.

Keep Your Air Clean

• Air conditioning is highly effective in maintaining proper humidity and cleanliness for indoor air. Air filtration units are also strongly recommended for sufferers with strong symptoms. Change your filter on a regular basis
• Many allergy sufferers can’t be around floral smelling perfumes, potpourri, and other man-made scents. If you want to have a fresh-smelling house, opt for natural scents such as cinnamon or fruit. Make sure the soaps you use in the bathroom are plain (not especially scented).

Mold and Mildew—a Silent Culprit

Oftentimes mold and mildew are scent-free allergens. Unfortunately, they tend to grow quickly, so once you discover them, it is best to act quickly. The key to eliminating mildew is to eliminate standing water no matter where it is.

• Keep your home between 35 and 40 percent humidity. You can purchase a humidity gauge at your local hardware store to manage this properly.
• Consider placing a dehumidifier in your basement also where it is dark and sometimes damp. Clean the device once a week.
• Spray your shower areas and your bathroom sink regularly with an anti-mildew spray.
• Prevent mildew in the kitchen by regularly cleaning under the sink areas.
• Check your refrigerator for expired food before it grows mold, and throw away bad food immediately.
• Before winter arrives, have your ducts cleaned in order to get rid of the build-up in your systems. Allergens are known to fester in these ducts throughout the year, and a good cleaning helps promote cleaner air for everyone.
• Even if you're not allergic to tobacco smoke, it can aggravate and irritate your sensitive nasal passages and respiratory system. For lots of reasons, it's wise to make your home a no-smoking zone.

Pets

If you have a pet in the house and you or family members are suffering with allergy symptoms, the pet is the most likely cause. If you aren’t willing to give up your pet, you can make reasonable accommodations that make your home more livable.

• Make bedrooms pet free and close the door at night.
• Bathe your pet every week or so. There are dry shampoos for pets that make it easier to rid them of allergens, than a wet shampoo.
• If possible, give your pet its own bedding and wash the bedding once a week.
• Vacuum your floors as much as possible during shedding periods, such as summer. If your animal is allowed to go outdoors when it is shedding, let it go out more often. You’ll decrease the animal hair and dander inside your house.
• If you have one family member who is especially allergic, you can turn off the central air and heat vents in that room and use a stand-alone unit. Pet allergens are easily circulated throughout the house via your central air and heating system.

In the Car and Outdoors

To assure that you keep your home allergen free you’ll need to pay attention when you are outdoors, as it is easy to carry pollutants back into the house with you.

• Keep car windows closed and set the air conditioner to use recirculated air if you are allergic to pollen.
• Don't permit smoking in the car.
• Minimize walks in wooded areas or gardens. Check the forecast. Stay indoors as much as possible on hot, dry, windy days when pollen counts are generally the highest.
• Try to avoid extreme temperature changes -- they are triggers for some people with asthma.
• If possible, stay indoors between 5 and 10 a.m. when outdoor pollen counts are usually highest.
• Wear a mask (such as an inexpensive painter's mask) when mowing the lawn if you are allergic to grass pollen or mold. Avoid mowing and being around freshly cut grass if possible.
• Wear a mask when gardening, as flowers and some weeds release pollen and can cause allergy symptoms.
• Avoid raking leaves or working with hay or mulch if you are allergic to mold.
• After being outdoors, take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes to remove pollen that may have collected in your clothes and hair.
• To protect yourself from insect stings, wear shoes, long pants, and sleeves, and do not wear scented deodorants, perfumes, shampoos or hair products.

When Traveling

• Pack your medicines with you in your carry-on bag.
• Bring an extra supply of medicines in case you need them.
• When staying in a hotel, ask for a nonsmoking room.
• Remove feather pillows and ask for synthetic, nonallergenic ones or bring your own plastic pillow covers from home.
• If possible, keep the vent on the room air conditioner shut.

 
A Final Note

Allergy-proofing your home can take some serious dedication, but with that you will make your home a healthier place to live!