You already have a few doctor-recommended allergy medicines lining your counter. You want this summer to be different than last year's. You want to be able to enjoy it instead of sneezing, coughing or wiping away tears from your eyes because of allergies. You want this summer to be allergy free.
Here are a few tips to ensure you enjoy everything summer has to offer besides allergy-inducing plants.
1. Wear a Face Mask While Dusting
There's nothing worse than whipping away thick dust from a piece of furniture and then breathing it in. It completely defeats the purpose of dusting in the first place. According to Seattle & King County Public Health, you will breathe dust for about twenty minutes after cleaning. A mask won't completely eliminate dust from entering your lungs, but it can reduce the amount by at least 95 percent.
Stay away from inexpensive masks and ensure the correct ones properly fit your face. Any spaces between the mask will quickly reduce its effectiveness.
2. Vacuuming Properly
Using the wrong vacuum could make your allergies worse. Old vacuums or vacuums with poor filters are likely to re-release more particles into than their counterparts. Instead, use a vacuum that has a HEPA or ULPA filter. According to the University of Illinois Extension, these filters collect approximately 99.7 percent of particles at 0.3 microns.
3. Purchase a Dehumidifier
If you live in a humid area, purchasing a dehumidifier may be the simplest way to solve your allergy problems. Mold, mildew and mites all thrive in humid areas and a dehumidifier can actually stem the growth process of all three allergy triggers. Common reactions to mold, mildew and mites include skin rashes, sneezing, difficulty breathing, itchy and watery eyes and a stuffy nose.
For more allergy solutions, visit Allergy Be Gone's store for a wide range of allergy control products.