Allergic Rhinitis, better known as Hay Fever, affects between 10% and 30% of all adults. When grass pollen levels are at their highest, seasonal allergies can leave sufferers coping with a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and congestion, ranging from mild discomfort to serious symptoms.
Giving your home a clean ahead of allergy season – and keeping on top of the cleaning through spring and summer months – can help to keep milder symptoms at bay. Don’t miss these 5 top tips…
- Cover up before cleaning
Cleaning can throw dust and allergens into the air, aggravating symptoms. You might like to try wearing rubber gloves to prevent allergens landing on your hands and arms, wearing a face covering to help prevent you breathing them in, or goggles to prevent eyes from streaming and itching.
- Start at the top of a room
Start with light fittings, high shelves, curtains and blinds, then move onto horizontal surfaces including windowsills and furniture. Dust and allergens will drift downwards as you clean, so finish by vacuuming and mopping floors.
- Dust with a damp cloth
Dusters and dry cloths can disturb settled dust and allergens, causing them to disperse into the air, whereas they will stick to a damp cloth or microfibre cloth.
- Wash bedding at high temperatures
Hay fever can seriously disturb your sleep – up to 57% of adult patients and up to 88% of children hay fever report sleep problems. Wash bedding weekly in a hot cycle (55-60°C) to remove pollen and allergens – it can also be helpful to shower before bed when pollen levels are high, especially if you have been outside. - Vacuum regularly
Regular vacuuming removes dust and allergens embedded in your carpets and upholstery, especially if you have an anti-allergen vacuum with a high-performance filter. Make sure you empty the vacuum regularly to prevent allergens from lingering – or choose a completely sealed vacuum cleaner unit such as Shark Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, which captures and traps 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum, not releasing them back into the air you breathe*.
*Based on IEC standard 62885-2 Cl. 5.11 at 0.3 to 10 microns.
