Five Spring Cleaning Tips For Allergy Sufferers

With Groundhog Day just around the corner, you could be in store for an early spring. Around this time, many people get the itch to clean up and declutter, especially for people who suffer from allergies. Before you delve into your arsenal of cleaning products, remember that some ingredients can be irritants and cause the same symptoms as other allergens. Here are five cleaning tips to help ease symptoms and keep allergies at bay.

• Groundhog Day: Get Ready For Spring
• The Most Common Spring Cleaning Mistakes 
• Five Spring Cleaning Tips to Ease Allergies
  1. Declutter
  2. Look Around You
  3. Get Rid of Mold
  4. Tackle Your Bed
  5. Clear the Air
• Keep Allergies at Bay With Spring Cleaning

Groundhog Day: Get Ready For Spring

The nation will celebrate Groundhog Day on February 2. This curious holiday signifies the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Groundhog Day focuses on a rodent. Each year, the groundhog will poke its head out of its burrow. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, then spring is just around the corner.

Although you often think of spring when it comes to cleaning, there are several things you can do around the home to help ease allergies now. With the prospect of better weather and a change in season, it’s time to clean and declutter. Keeping your home clean is also a great way to stay healthy during flu season months. 

The Most Common Spring Cleaning Mistakes 

Millions of people suffer from allergies throughout the year. When you have environmental allergies, the thought of opening a window is enough to fill you with dread. That’s before you start to stir up any dust, mold, or dander while cleaning. But letting allergens pile up won’t help your situation either. Some of the most common allergens in the home are:

• Dust mites
• Pollen 
• Pet allergens 
• Indoor molds
• Cockroaches 

When you have an allergy, your immune system protects your body. For example, with a dust mite allergy, your immune system sees dust as an invader or allergen. To protect your body, it produces antibodies that cause an allergic reaction. Common symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, and stuffiness.

If you’re trying to maintain an allergy-free home, it’s tempting to go blazing in without a strategy and use harsh chemicals, but this isn’t always helpful. Some of the most common spring cleaning mistakes are:

• Starting without a plan 
• Relying on harsh chemical cleaners
• Letting dust and mold build up 
• Neglecting rugs and blinds  

Five Spring Cleaning Tips to Ease Allergies on Groundhog Day and Beyond

Indoor allergens can easily lurk around the house and aggravate allergies. Whether you are allergic to pollen, dust, or pet dander, reducing allergens indoors can help keep allergies under control. Here are five quick cleaning tips to ease allergies and enjoy the spring. 

1. Declutter

Before you start spring cleaning, be sure to declutter. All of these cleaning tips can end up useless if you don’t declutter first. It’s far too easy to clean around the clutter instead of moving it. This means that dust and pollen can collect around items.

Now is a great time to give back and donate things that clutter your home and workspace. Decluttering your house and desk can help you feel more organized and motivated during your day. Organized office desk ideas can bring peace of mind. Start by sorting through your work papers and emptying that junk drawer. 

2. Look Around You

When cleaning, a great tip is to look up, down, and all-around. As you walk into each room, look in all directions. Every surface should be vacuumed, mopped, and cleaned. Obvious surfaces include cabinets and coffee tables, but don’t forget about blinds, curtains, furniture, and even the TV remote.

While you can’t banish dust from your home, good habits can help to reduce dust. Something as simple as taking your shoes off before entering the house is very effective. It stops dust, pollen, and other allergens from entering the house on the bottom of people’s shoes.

3. Get Rid of Mold

Like the mascot of Groundhog Day, mold spores sometimes pop up unexpectedly. Mold spores can get into your nose and cause hay fever symptoms. They can also reach the lungs and trigger asthma in some people. It’s important to get rid of mold as soon as you spot it. In spring, this allergen can be especially problematic because moisture is more abundant during this season. Get rid of any visible mold you see in your household.

There’s no need to use super harsh chemicals to remove mold, as sometimes ingredients in cleaning products can irritate allergies. Natural cleaning products with tea tree oil and white vinegar can be an excellent alternative. 

4. Tackle Your Bed

Don’t forget about your bed. Surprisingly, it can create a ton of problems if left unchecked. So, make sure to clean your mattress thoroughly to get rid of dust mites, molds, and any bacteria that might be in your bed.

Dust mites are one of the most common triggers for an allergic reaction. The average person sheds about a pound of skin a year, with a large majority into their bed. Your bed has the perfect combination of moisture, warmth, and food that can be a breeding ground for dust mites. 

5. Clear the Air

One way to reduce allergens in the home is by clearing the air. Purchase an air purifier with a HEPA filter to get rid of most allergens in the air. You will need to replace the HEPA filter regularly and make sure to maintain the device.

There are a few things you can do to keep the air clear indoors, such as:

• Try to avoid scented candles and air fresheners.
• Keep the windows closed on high pollen days. 
• Clean surfaces in your home often. 

Keep Allergies at Bay With Spring Cleaning

We may get to enjoy six more weeks of winter (thanks, Groundhogs day!), but it is never too soon to gear up for spring cleaning. Arm yourself with these top five spring cleaning tips, and you may find yourself breathing more comfortably. By disinfecting your home regularly and reducing allergens in the house, you can create a tidier, more organized space. Whether it will be an early spring or not, there’s never a better time to start spring cleaning. 

If you can stay on top of allergens in your home and stop any build-up, you can tackle dust mites, pollen, and mold before it starts to irritate your allergies. Allergy sufferers should aim to clean regularly throughout the week. By spreading out these spring cleaning and decluttering tasks, you only need to do a little each day to maintain your home.