How to allergy-proof your home
Posted: 21st December 2022 | Posted by Costa
How to allergy-proof your home
If you’re a house-proud person, there’s probably no better feeling than having everything spick and span. The floor’s had a good mop or vacuum and everything’s in its rightful place. But what if we told you it might not be as clean as you think? To you, it’s perfect, but to people with allergies? There could be a stray hair or bit of dust that’s going to set them off.
Yes, something as simple as travelling to someone else’s home can be a chore for someone with an allergy. You go to your friend’s house only for the dog hair on the sofa to bring you out in a painful rash.
With this being the festive season, you might be about to entertain some guests. So what can you do to allergy-proof your home and keep them feeling comfortable?
What to be aware of
Let’s start with the mystery allergens you should know about. There are some that are likely to be more common than others in a home, and while they might not bother you, they might be the bane of someone else’s existence.
First, there’s dust. It builds up in every crevice, and if you’re only cleaning where you can see it, you might have missed some. Then there’s mould, though this might be less prevalent. It’s still worth looking out for in rooms where it often appears, such as the bathroom.
If you have a pet, then pet dander could be an issue. This also has a habit of getting everywhere you don’t want it to be. Depending on the season, pollen might be lurking too, sticking to everything as it is wont to do. Lastly, food allergies. You may think someone has to eat something to have a reaction, but sometimes food particles are enough to set them off.
What will help with guests is knowing what their allergies are. This way, you can appropriately prepare. Now we’ve covered that, let’s look at our top 3 tips for allergy-proofing your home.
Tip #1 – Clean, clean, and clean!
You might be the cleanest person in the world, but it still might not be enough. If you know you have guests coming over, up your cleaning routine. Do it more often to prevent a build-up of allergens.
You’ll also want to clean in places you might not usually. So make sure to get every shelf, every ornament, every skirting board – even your curtains! Allergens can stick to them like crazy.
Tip #2 – Dealing with your pets
If you have a pet, pay particular attention to areas where they spend time. If your dog is allowed on the sofa, that’s a prime candidate for a deep clean. Their dander will get everywhere, especially on the carpet. If you can afford the investment, a high-power vacuum designed for pet hair would be best.
Your cleaning routine also extends to your pet. Giving them regular baths ensures they don’t have allergens tangled in their fur. And regular brushing (done outside) gets rid of loose hair.
Tip #3 – Thinking about food
As we said earlier, a simple food particle is sometimes enough to trigger someone’s allergies. In these cases, their symptoms are likely to be respiratory. So they may suffer from breathing difficulties, and in worst-case scenarios, this can lead to potentially fatal outcomes.
Especially over this holiday period, think twice about the food you have. If you know you’re feeding your guests, ask about any allergens and take them seriously. But if you’re not, then keep food away from any guests and stay out of the kitchen just in case.
Being considerate about someone’s allergies doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. But the gesture will mean a lot if you allergy-proof your home. So whether it’s for the benefit of any guests over the holidays or you carry this advice into the new year, take our tips and become an even better allergy ally.
Having an allergy doesn’t mean you can’t live a normal life. If you ever have any concerns about your potential allergies, feel free to reach out to us. You can register as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.