While chemicals can impact the quality of your indoor air, nature can also be the culprit.
Keeping clean indoor air means looking at the elements of air quality that make your life challenging and managing those, whether they are natural or chemical in origin.
You might think of nature as a pure and wholesome thing, and it certainly is. However, when too much nature accumulates on your floors, on your bedcovers and under the furniture, it can cause allergies. Yes, you can be allergic to the very things that give you joy in nature: things like pets and trees. The key is to manage these allergens so that they do not accumulate in your home.
Pet dander is a major allergen and can impact the health of your family subtly or severely. Those who have severe dander allergies should consider a dander-free pet. Those with less severe allergies can consider less allergenic pets like poodles. A good filter on the vacuum and in the bedroom can help you reduce pet dander as well.
Pollen is another major allergen, and the seasonal influx of pollen can make you miserable indoors and out. Filter the air and change clothing when you get home. Wash your bed covers regularly so that the pollen does not accumulate on your sheets.
Mold spores are a quiet but very irritating allergen. It is a fungus that grows in damp places in your home. The areas that can experience mold growth include sinks, windows, and areas with leaks. Watch for mold growth and clean regularly to prevent it from occurring.
Dust is a ubiquitous problem, but some people are more sensitive to it than others. Cleaning under and around furniture is a good way to control dust mites. It’s also important to have an excellent furnace filter and clean your air ducts regularly so that your home isn’t filled with dust when the furnace goes on in the fall.
How do you control allergies that are triggered by something in your home?