Protect your apartment home during allergy season

Spring has us itching to get outside for walks, barbecues, bike rides, swimming and more. Although social distancing had us staying inside more recently, our need for fresh air is alive and well.

But the light and fresh feeling of spring also means it’s allergy season.

If a stuffy nose and pounding headache are keeping you from spring festivities, try some of these tips to keep allergies out of your plans.

Start by eliminating the core triggers of symptoms. Dust frequently and clean your commonly used surfaces daily.

For dusting, use a damp rag for a deeper clean. To sustain your dust-free space, invest in some dust covers for your pillows and cushions.

Decluttering is just as important as disinfecting. Get rid of unused baskets, bins or tables and anything in closets or low-traffic areas that you no longer need as these items commonly collect dust. After donating or discarding the unused items and tidying your space, vacuum.

Carpeted homes can have you sniffling and sneezing. Invest in a good, bagless vacuum. Carpets and rugs can easily trap allergens in their fibers, turning your cozy, comfy floor into a home for dust, dirt and pet hair.

Make sure you do laundry regularly to keep dust and dirt from gathering. Include sheets and pillow cases in your laundry routine. Note when you last cleaned items or rooms in your home so you know when each space is due for its next clean.

Invest in a mat outside your front and back door and encourage yourself and others to remove their shoes upon entering your home so you don’t track allergy irritants into your space.

Make sure you have your pet or pets groomed regularly. Pet allergies are very common. Not everyone will have an extreme reaction to pet hair or dander, but many get congested and puffy eyes from it.

Purchase a good fur-grabbing brush, and remember to clean it outside your apartment. Even if you throw it out, stray hairs will find their way into your bedding and carpeting.

Opening your windows is a great way to get a breeze going and cycle out some air. It’s also a great way to invite pollen into your home. Check the pollen count before you open up and monitor how congested you get. Look into an air purifier to run on days you feel stuffy but can’t open windows.

Replace your filters as often as you can. Check with the management office. This is likely a service the maintenance crew at your community provides. If you find yourself feeling stuffy or congested, see if they can come in sooner. It is a quick exchange and can make a world of difference.

Be vigilant about decluttering and eliminating surfaces that commonly attract dust before the allergy symptoms set in. Also, make dusting and cleaning a weekly if not daily habit.

A dust-free apartment home will be a breath of fresh air this spring – literally.