Building a Healthy Home:
A Guide for Allergy Sufferers

Your home should be an oasis away from the stressors of life. However, indoor allergens can make that difficult for many allergy sufferers. In fact, pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher in your home vs. outdoors. Considering Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, this can lead to a wide range of adverse health effects. Whether you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to environmental factors, it’s important to be proactive in reducing indoor allergens and creating a healthy home.

Here are a few steps you can take to reduce indoor air pollution and create a home environment that has you breathing easy!

BEDDING: Invest in dust-mite proof covers for your pillows, mattress, and box spring, and be sure to wash your bedding weekly using hot water.

FLOORS: Ditch the carpeting! Carpet traps dirt, dust, and allergens. Opt for wood, tile, or linoleum flooring instead, and use area rugs that can be washed. If you can’t remove the carpet, be sure to use a HEPA-filter vacuum frequently.

UPHOLSTERY: Limit upholstered items in the home (throw pillows, wall tapestries, overstuffed sofas, etc.) Keep pets off of furniture, and vacuum upholstered couches frequently. Dust and allergens can also build up in curtains and blinds, so be sure to wash them regularly or invest in roller shades.

BATHROOM: Excess moisture in bathrooms can lead to mold growth. Use a towel or squeegee to remove excess water from shower enclosures and tubs after use. Always use the vent fan when showering to reduce humidity, and regularly clean surfaces and towels and bat mats with bleach to prevent mold growth.

AIR: One of the best things you can do to clear the air is to clear your space. Clutter collects dust and requires regular cleaning to maintain a healthy home environment. You may also want to consider an air filtration unit or whole house air purification system. In tropical environments or summer months when humidity levels are high, be sure to use a dehumidifier.

STRUCTURE: Some of the worst culprits for indoor allergy sufferers are the hidden issues that go unseen, like mold. The presence of mold in the home can lead to sever respiratory problems and in extreme cases death. Mold loves moisture and will grow just about anywhere that provides the right conditions – in attics, basements/crawl spaces, as well as around leaks in the roof and cracks in the foundation. If cleaned improperly, mold spores can spread to other areas of the home, which is why you should never try to clean up mold yourself. If you suspect mold in your home, be sure to contact an experienced professional right away.

With some proactive planning and routine cleaning, you can improve the indoor air quality in your home. If you are facing a more serious environmental issue, like mold growth, you can be confident that RestoreDry is always here to help.

References: allergy statistics | diseases conditions / allergies