With the cold season just around the corner, many people are already bracing for the flu season. Others suffer from allergy problems year round. All of these issues hinder a good night’s rest. When you’re sniffing and sneezing and tossing and turning throughout the night, you won’t feel rested by morning.
And while you can’t eliminate all chances of having a sniffle or two during the winter season, it does not need to be one continuous problem the entire year. A few simple changes to your indoor environment can greatly improve the quality of air in your home, reduce allergens, and help you get more rested.
Here are three tips to get you started.
Reduce the dust
One of the main allergy irritants for people is dust. Dust consists of tiny particles of pollen, hair (both human and animal), dirt, skin cells, and more.
Dust mites are living organisms that are impossible to see with the human eye and make up a part of the overall dust. Both of these allergens can cause you quite a bit of trouble.
Although you can’t eliminate dust altogether, you can work to make sure you don’t have as much in your home. Here are a few ideas to help keep the dust at a minimum:
- Dust your home thoroughly every week
- Change your HVAC air filter monthly
- Clean the vents that blow out air (these could be blowing dirt into your home)
- Have your air ducts cleaned annually
- Use a large multi-purpose boot/shoe mat to help stop the pollen at the door
- If you decide to build a home or change your flooring, go with hardwood flooring because dust gets trapped in the carpeting
- Use protective hypoallergenic coverings on your bed and pillows
Filter the air
Use HEPA air filters to increase the indoor quality of the air in the home. If you have a sizable home or you still are having a problem with allergens or air quality in the home, you may want to consider a whole-home air filtration system. This type of system is built right within your current HVAC unit.
It is housed in your return air ductwork, so it will catch a lot of the particles before they get out into the home. There are four main types of whole-house air systems, according to This Old House. They are:
- Flat filters
- Extended media filters
- Electronic filters
- Ultraviolet filters
UV filters are used in hospitals because of their unique ability to eliminate viruses and bacteria. So, if the spread of germs is your main concern, then this type of filter may be the one for you.
Use a humidifier
In the wintertime, the air becomes very dry due to operating the furnace. Dry air is a real problem for allergy sufferers. It dries out your nose and sinus cavities, leading to nosebleeds, dry eyes, itchy throat, and other allergy symptoms. The solution is bringing some humidity into the home.
A humidifier will put some moist air into your home. You do want to make sure, however, that you do not get the humidity levels too high because that can encourage dust mites, mold, and/or mildew. You want your humidity level to be between 40-50 %. This ensures it won’t get too dry but not moist enough for mold to grow.
Don’t let allergens get the best of your sleep this season. Beat the sniffles by zapping dust, boosting your indoor air quality, using hypoallergenic mattress covers, sheets, and pillowcases, and implementing high-quality air filters.
You will sleep better and feel fantastic all year round. Get in touch today for more information.
