How to Combat Allergy Attacks this Spring in Nashville
April 10, 2015
Nashville is on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s Spring Allergy Capitals report
as one of the most challenging places to live if you suffer from
allergies, and with the brutal winter that just swept across the
Midwest, allergists are predicting an especially sneezy spring. To make
matters worse, the average U.S. home actually contains twice
the level of air pollution as outdoors. This is in large part because
indoor allergens bury themselves in places we typically don’t regularly
clean — like our upholstery. Here are some easy tips to tackle that
couch, and other germ magnets around the house, to reduce allergy
symptoms this season.
Vacuum: Do it regularly, with the right model. Vacuum
carpets and rugs weekly with a bag vacuum, preferably one with a HEPA
(high-efficiency particulate air) filter, since it is more effective at
trapping airborne allergens like pet dander and pollen. Traditional
vacuums will just expel dust and allergens back into the room. And keep
clutter at bay. Areas like closets and underneath the bed tend to
attract clutter, resulting in dust bunnies.
Upholstered Furniture: Don’t forget to vacuum upholstery too.Most
people vacuum carpets and rugs but forget about upholstery. Similar to
rugs and carpets, particles like dust, dirt and allergens settle on
furniture surfaces. Vacuum once every other week and get them
professionally cleaned at least once a year.
Beds: Regularly clean bedding. Vacuum mattresses at
least once a month and turn over every six months to reduce dust mites.
Wash linens every two weeks in hot water over 130°F, and place
dust-proof covers on pillows, mattresses and box springs. Replace padded
bedding and headboards with allergen-resistant alternatives, or bedding
that can be washed on a regular basis.
Pets:Keep them clean. Bathe pets regularly. Keep them
out of the bedroom, with doors closed, to reduce their dander in the
air. Even if pets are not in the room, their dander remains airborne for
several hours and floats throughout the house.
Temperature & Humidity Levels:Set them at correct levels. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid conditions. Keep household thermostats below 70°F and humidity below 50 percent.
Heating & Air Conditioning Filters: Regularly check and replace them. Changing
filters at regular intervals, especially after winter months, prevents
dirt, dust and unhealthy particles from distributing around the house.
Follow the recommended replacement timing for each filter as indicated
on the package.
Doormats & Area Rugs:Place them in high-traffic areas. Many
think that bare floors are cleaner than carpet, but dust, allergens and
dirt particles settle on hard surfaces and get stirred back into the
air more easily the next time there is activity in the room. Rugs placed
on these surfaces act as filters, trapping these particles until it is
time to vacuum.
Cleaning Professionals: Call them annually.Regular
vacuuming does a good job of picking up dirt and dust on the surface,
but there can still be a lot of bacteria and allergens trapped deep
within the fibers of carpet and upholstery. The EPA recommends getting
carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year, and in homes with
pets or children, two to three times per year. TNT Chem-Dry
is a local carpet and upholstery cleaning service, part of the larger
Chem-Dry organization, that uses a proprietary Hot Carbonating
Extraction method that was proven
in a recent independent study to remove an average of 98% of common
household allergens from carpets and upholstery and, when a sanitizer
was added, an average of 89% of the airborne bacteria.
Article written by: Tara Outson, co-owner
TNT Chem-Dry in Nashville
615-557-5231 www.tntchemdry.com