Spring Arrives on March 20th!

Does the coming of spring mean the start of seasonal allergies for you or a loved one? If so, now is the time to start preparing your house for the bombardment of pollen that springtime brings, and getting ready now will help ensure you have a happy, healthy, and allergy-free season.

Here are seven great tips that will get you started on cleaning your house and protecting your family from springtime allergens.

Tip One: Know Where Allergens Come From

The majority of allergens that cause seasonal allergy symptoms are spores from mold and pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. These allergens can blow for miles in the wind, and they get into your house through windows and doors, via vents, on you and your clothes, and on your pets.

The key to reducing symptoms in the home is preventing allergens from getting in and dealing with ones that are inside.

Tip Two: Groom Your Pets Often

Pet fur can house pet allergens like dander, saliva, and urine, as well as seasonal allergens. To stop pets from bringing these into your house, brush them down outside once a day, and try to give them weekly baths.

Tip Three: Vacuum and Dust Often

This is an important part of dealing with the allergens that do get into your home. Dust and vacuum twice a week to remove allergens from the home. Focus on carpets, baseboards, around pet areas, on shelves, and other areas where allergens, dust, and dirt can hide. Ideally, if allergies are a problem, you should consider getting rid of the carpeting in your house, because allergens can hide in carpet fibers for months.

Tip Four: Purify and Filter

A HEPA filter on your air conditioner, vacuum, and air purifier can do wonders for keeping allergens under control in your house. The filter on the A/C will stop allergens from getting in through your ventilation, the filter on the vacuum will stop allergens from blowing all over the place when you're cleaning, and the filter on the purifier will help reduce overall allergens and pollutants in the house.

Tip Five: Shower After Being Outside

Just like your pets can track in allergens on their fur, so too can you and your family bring them in from outside on your hair and skin. To prevent reactions, shower and wash your hair as soon as you get inside, especially if you’ve been gardening, doing yard work, or been outside on a high pollen day.

Tip Six: Wash Clothes that Have Been Outside

Your clothes are another place where allergens can stow away and get into your house. When you come in after being outside, throw your clothes into the washing machine immediately before getting into the shower.

Tip Seven: Seal the House

Close your windows and doors whenever possible and feasible, especially on high pollen days, to prevent allergens from just wafting into your house.

If you want more tips on how to make your Colonial Heights, VA home a safe place where you can hide out from allergy symptoms this spring, call the experts at Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. Call us today at 804-526-8415 to book an appointment.