Watery eyes, uncontrollable sneezing, a runny nose, sore throat… sound familiar? Allergies can be incredibly annoying but with a little extra effort, you can keep allergens at bay, make your home a healthier space, and finally breathe easier. Let us explain how.
Understanding Common Household Allergens
The first step to fighting off your allergies is to understand what is causing them – and there are a few potential culprits to consider:
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Dust mites
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Pet dander
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Mould
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Pollen
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Cockroach droppings
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Indoor plants
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Fabrics
If you want to know exactly which one is to blame for your never-ending sneezes and the mountain of tissue you seem to amass every day, a doctor can probably help. But in the meantime, there are steps you can take today to make your household allergy-free.
How to Reduce Allergens in Your Home
If you’re ready to cut down on those nagging allergens, consider:
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Keeping the humidity under control. Dust mites love moisture and so do mould spores, so make sure your home is always well-ventilated (especially the bathroom and kitchen!). For extra backup, why not invest in a dehumidifier?
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Using an air purifier. An air purifier does exactly what it says – purify the air around you by zapping away dust and other annoying allergy triggers. Keep in mind that different models work better from different allergens, so do your homework before buying one. Oh, and whichever one you choose, make sure it has a HEPA filter.
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Having pet-free areas in your home. We know, it feels cruel. But if pet dander seems to trigger sneezefests in your home, choosing pet-free zones (like the bedrooms) is a smart move.
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Using allergy-resistant covers for your mattress, pillows, sofa – the lot. These shields will keep dust mites away so you can snooze away, sneeze-free.
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Keeping the clutter to a minimum. More clutter = more real estate for allergens to hide. And hey, who doesn’t feel nice and refreshed after a decluttering session?
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Changing clothes after being outdoors. Pollen is annoying enough when you’re outside, so why would you want to bring it inside? As soon as you get home, take off your outdoor threads and put on fresh, clean ones.
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Close the windows on high-pollen days. Again, pollen indoors is a big no-no. If there seems to be a bit more than usual in the air, that’s your cue to shut the windows.
Cleaning Tips for Allergy Sufferers
All the tips above will help reduce the allergens in your home, but you still need to clean regularly. When you do, make sure to:
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Wear a mask. You definitely don’t want to be inhaling dust, mould spores, or any other allergens.
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Start by cleaning the highest spots and work your way down, leaving the floors to last.
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Use a damp cloth to clean dust, rather than a traditional duster. The former clings on to dust particles, while the latter… well, it’s more like blowing on a dandelion and hoping the seeds stay put.
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Use a vacuum, instead of a broom (same logic as above).
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Don’t forget to vacuum the upholstery. Or, you can use a lint roller to grab any dust stuck on the fabrics.
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Use a microfibre cloth to wipe all air vents and fans. You can imagine what happens if you don’t – the air in your home becomes allergen-city.
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Wipe frequently touched objects and surfaces. Things like remote controls, light switches, and doorknobs are easy to forget, but think about how much dust can harbour on them!
Finally, it’s important to use natural, gentle cleaning products that will not introduce chemical irritants – emphasis on the ‘irritant’ part – into your home, which brings us to our next topic…
Choosing Asthma and Allergy-Friendly Cleaning Products
One of the key things to look for in allergy-friendly cleaners is a natural formula. Why? Well, most standard products you find at most stores are chock-full of chemical additives – think ammonia, phthalates, perchloroethylene, and triclosan. And what do these all have in common? You guessed it – they’re a one-way ticket to sneeze, itch, and sniffle-fest.
On the flip side, natural cleaners like our Universal Probiotic Cleaner are made with ingredients we all know (and can pronounce), which means they won’t leave your sinuses up in arms.
Powered by 60 billion probiotics, our cleaner works wonders on all surfaces of your home – so you know that every corner of every room is free of pesky allergens. Thanks to the gentle, yet powerful formula, it helps you achieve a clean that is:
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Balanced, fostering a healthy microbiome on all your surfaces
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Deeper, working microscopically to clean what you see – and what you don’t
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Longer, continuously cleaning for up to 3 days
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Fresher, not only controlling odours but eliminating them at the source
Allergy-Proof Your Home with Orbies
Your home should be an allergy-free sanctuary, and with Orbies by your side, you can transform it into one. Follow all our cleaning tips and your sinuses will thank you!
