Spring and summer bring beauty, but also allergies. Allergy sufferers often go inside their homes for sanctuary against irritants — which is why it’s so important to keep those irritants out of your house. With a few mindful changes and tricks, you can get rid of indoor allergens and start breathing easy again in your own home. We’ve gathered the seven best tips and products to make life at home even more enjoyable and allergen-free. Keep those indoor allergens to a minimum and improve your home’s indoor air quality for the health of you and your family every season.

KEEP WINDOWS AND DOORS CLOSED TO PREVENT POLLEN FROM GETTING INSIDE The first big step to keeping outside allergens from entering your home is closing and sealing doors and windows. Run your central air conditioner system using a regularly replaced filter. Central air conditioning is also an effective way to keep the humidity down inside your home, prevent-ing the growth of mold and mildew. If you don’t have central air conditioning, try to find a window unit that is well-sealed or use fans inside your home, helping reduce mold buildup.

GET AN AIR PURIFIER Evidence has shown that using an air purifier containing a HEPA filter can decrease allergy and asthma symptoms. It’s a small but powerful device that can make a big difference in getting rid of indoor allergies, from cooking smoke to outdoor pollutants that breeze in through windows. Consistently high rated purifier models are made by Bissell, Coway, Winix, and Honeywell. Double check the square footage the model can handle, and clean or replace the filter as directed to keep it working correctly.

CLEAN AND VACUUM OFTEN At least once or twice a week, vacuum your carpets, especially if you have pets. Carpets can trap allergens and cause increased irritation, so vacuuming regularly keeps allergens low. Try wearing a face mask while you vacuum to help from breathing in all of the dust that will inevitably float around. Use a high-quality vacuum with a HEPA filter — visit asthmaandallergyfriendly.com to find Asthma and Allergy Foundation certified products. Clean the rest of your home regularly as well, at least once a month.

TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES Get two doormats, one for each side of every entryway to your house. Remove your shoes when you enter your home, and ask guests to do the same. This will keep outside irritants from tracking in on the bottoms of your shoes and all over the floors of your home. If your feet still need support, try switching to indoor-only slippers or sandals.

NO PETS IN THE BEDROOM We all love our furry family members, but pet fur and dander can often aggravate allergy reactions. Be sure to groom your pet regularly, and make your bedroom off-limits by keeping the door closed. This will limit the number of allergens you’ll be exposed to from them, especially while you sleep.

BUY DUST COVERS FOR YOUR MATTRESS AND PILLOWS Evidence has shown that using an air purifier containing a HEPA filter can decrease allergy and asthma symptoms. It’s a small but powerful device that can make a big difference in getting rid of indoor allergies, from cooking smoke to outdoor pollutants that breeze in through windows. Consistently high rated purifier models are made by Bissell, Coway, Winix, and Honeywell. Double check the square footage the model can handle, and clean or replace the filter as directed to keep it working correctly.

USE A NETI POT One final and highly effective way to improve your indoor allergies to keep your sinuses clear by using a Neti Pot. This ancient and doctor-endorsed medical practice is a simple and highly efficient way to keep your nasal passages clear of any trapped allergens and is an effective way to reduce illness, as well. It’s important to use special saline packets and distilled water to rinse out your nasal sinus passages – it may feel unusual at first, but it ultimately makes you think and breathe much better. Neti Pots are available at most pharmacies and drug stores.

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