As hayfever hits early, allergy sufferers are being told of some of the best ways to keep pollen out of their homes. Interior experts from Lifestyle Blinds say the role of the home environment in allergy season is often overlooked, and may be causing issues for households across the country.
While many allergy sufferers may avoid the outdoors when symptoms are at their worst, there are lots of ways pollen is actually making its way inside homes and making hayfever symptoms worse. Investing in cleanable blinds and enforcing a no shoes indoors rule can both help homeowners manage ventilation while limiting pollen inside the home during peak hayfever season. Pollen seasons are lasting longer due to the impacts of climate change, meaning symptoms may have started as early as February for some.
Founder Heath Showman said: “Hayfever season has arrived early this year, which is bad news for many of us in the UK. While millions of households brace for familiar symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes, we wanted to provide some practical and easy tips to help keep pollen out of your home this spring and summer. Many people think about what may be triggering their symptoms outdoors but there are actually lots of indoor surfaces and materials that could be harbouring pollen and worsening your symptoms. Doing something as simple as changing out your blinds could really make a difference here. High-aulity materials can be easily cleaned and help protect your home. Other simple changes include changing clothes as soon as you come indoors, taking off all shoes at the door and using an air purifier.”
Here are some ways to help eliminate pollen in your home, according to Lifestyle Blinds:
- Invest in quality blinds
Your window treatments can really impact your hayfever symptoms, and investing in good quality blinds can help to keep symptoms at bay. Blinds act as a physical barrier between the outdoors and your living space, and many are made from materials that are easy to wipe clean. Cleaning them often can prevent pollen from building up and recirculating in the air.
- Change your clothes
Though it may seem unnecessary, in moments of particularly high pollen it’s a good idea to change clothes as soon as you come into your home, and have dedicated ‘indoor only’ clothes to wear. This way, you can ensure pollen is not making its way round your house and attaching itself to fabrics that will be difficult to clean later.
- Damp dusting
Keeping on top of dusting is an effective way to reduce allergens. Dusting surfaces with a damp cloth can trap pollen and remove it from commonly used surfaces.
- Use an air purifier
As an air purifier traps floating particles and circulates clean air back into your home, it can help to trap pollen and alleviate pesky symptoms. When looking for an air purifier, make sure to look for one with a HEPA filter, which removes at least 99.95% of tiny particles and meets EU standards.
- No shoes rule
If you haven’t already, establishing a no shoes rule in your home can really help keep allergens contained. You should also consider buying a washable doormat and cleaning it often to eliminate pollen making its way into your home.
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