Suffering from allergies and respiratory problems means you have to take extra precautions to minimise the allergens in your home. During the spring and summer months, pollen in particular can cause real problems for sufferers, so it has to be controlled carefully.
If you suffer from serious hay fever or other conditions exacerbated by pollen, there are a few simple ways to make your life at home just a little more bearable.
Remove pollen by washing it away
Every time you step outside when the pollen count is high, tiny pollen particles settle on your clothes and hair. And the longer you’re outside, the worse the problem becomes. Unfortunately, even a strong breeze won’t be enough to remove pollen, as it’s virtually indestructible — unless it’s wet.
When the pollen count is high, change your clothes when you step back inside your home. Alternatively, keep certain clothes for outdoors, and seal them in a bag every time your return home. If you have long hair, wear a hat outside, or be prepared to wash it as soon as you return home.
Trap pollen with a good vacuum cleaner
Search the Internet for the “best vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers”. In many cases, this will be a model with a HEPA filter or the equivalent. These powerful cleaners are designed to trap and hold the majority of allergens — instead of simply blowing them back into the atmosphere. Be sure to vacuum carpets, upholstery and curtains at least once a day when pollen levels are at their highest… using all the appropriate tools and accessories.
Keep your bed pollen-free
Every time you get into bed after being outside, you transfer pollen from your hair and body onto your pillow and bed clothes. And once it’s there, it’s very difficult to remove. So, before you turn in every night, have a quick shower to wash away the pollen on your person.
Wash your bedding more regularly when pollen is high, and regularly vacuum or air your mattress. You can remove some of the pollen on a mattress with a powerful vacuum cleaner and a spray of water and clear alcohol. However, you shouldn’t take your mattress outside when the pollen count is high, as this can make the problem even worse. Instead, fit an undersheet to your mattress as a barrier to all allergens.
Don’t dry laundry outside
Wherever you look, the advice is always to dry clothes and bedding outside when this is possible. Doing so saves energy, reduces moisture in your home and leaves your garments smelling really fresh. However, you’re also giving the pollen in the air the perfect opportunity to land on your clothes, towels and sheets. And when you bring these items inside, you spread the pollen around your home.
The simple solution is to dry all of your clothes indoors. The best solution is to position clothes horses right by closed windows — to take advantage of the heat in these areas. If you need to, however, tumble drying clothes is better than air-drying them outside.
Open doors and windows at the right time
There’s a balance to be struck between getting fresh air into your home and keeping pollen out. No one wants their windows closed throughout the spring and summer months, and you don’t have to. Flowers tend to release most pollen in the morning, so keep your windows closed until around lunchtime if possible. Pollen counts increase in the early evening too, when warm air begins to cool and fall — bringing pollen with it.
Try to ventilate your home for an hour or two in the middle of the day when pollen is at its highest.
With the right approach, you can drastically reduce the pollen in your home at key times of the year. And less pollen means a more comfortable summer — free from serious allergic reactions.