Millions of people suffer from indoor allergies. These allergies are due to various particles in the air that cause allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itchy throat, nose, or eyes, sneezing, and stuffiness. Allergens can also trigger asthma in people. Fortunately, air purifiers can help eliminate indoor allergens by filtering the air in your home through HEPA filters, trapping the particles, and then circulating the purified air in your home.
At Galmiche & Sons, a St. Louis HVAC company, our goal is to help ensure that you and your family maintain healthy living with clean and purified air. Our HVAC professionals can provide regular springtime HVAC cleaning and maintenance to help reduce indoor allergens in your home. If you need further purification, we can recommend and install air purifiers and filters to remove allergens and provide healthy, clean air. For all your St. Louis indoor air quality and heating & air conditioning needs, contact us at 314-993-1110.
How to Get Rid of 4 Common Indoor Allergens in Your Home
1. Dust Mites
These indoor allergens commonly trigger a variety of symptoms. They are microscopic organisms found in the house and thrive in warm, humid environments such as bedding, carpeting, and upholstery. They feed on things like dead skin, dust, and hair. Controlling these indoor allergens can be difficult since they are microscopic and invisible to the ordinary eye.
How to eliminate it:
- Mattresses, pillows, and box springs should be encased in special allergen-free or dust-proof covers to keep dust mites away.
- Hot water should be used to wash bedding and blankets weekly, followed by a tumble in a hot dryer.
- Vacuum carpets and upholstery weekly and use a wet or damp cloth when dusting to avoid releasing indoor allergens into the air with dry cloths.
- Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain low humidity in your home, which will help prevent dust mites from multiplying.
2. Pet Allergens
Pet allergens are usually caused by exposure to dander (dead skin flakes), saliva (which covers pet hair), or urine from household animals and pets. Pet allergy symptoms occur within minutes of exposure to these indoor allergens.
How to eliminate it:
- Vacuum the carpets regularly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum or replace carpet with tile or hardwood floor.
- Minimize pet contact, keeping them out of the bedroom and off rugs and couches.
- Bathe and brush your pet regularly to reduce pet dander.
- Airborne pet dander can be reduced in the home with the use of HEPA air purifiers, but it should be operated for at-least four hours daily.
3. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are found in highly populated urban areas and commercial buildings. Their presence doesn’t mean you have a dirty home. Breathing difficulty and sickness may occur due to indoor allergens from cockroaches and their carcasses. Luckily, indoor allergens from these pests can be eliminated easily.
How to eliminate it:
- Cockroaches cannot survive without water. So to eliminate them, seal and fix all leaky faucets and pipes.
- Block all entries where cockroaches can enter the house. Set up traps or hire an exterminator to get rid of the remaining ones.
- Keep food and leftovers in lidded containers and wash dishes immediately after use.
- Dispose of garbage and recyclables in lidded garbage containers throughout your home.
4. Indoor Mold
Indoor mold and mildew thrive in damp, humid environments such as basements, bathrooms, and anywhere that may have leaks. These indoor allergens can cause breathing issues by releasing dangerous spores. Reducing dampness in your home is an overall way to help prevent mold growth, but there are also several steps you can take to prevent and remove it.
How to eliminate it:
- Mold growth can be eliminated on hard surfaces by using a mixture of water, detergent, and 5% bleach to clean the surface and dry the area completely.
- Repair and seal leaky pipes.
- Dehumidifiers should be used in humid areas like the basement. Always empty the water and clean the units regularly.
- Ventilate and clean basements, rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms to avoid mold and mildew growth.
- Avoid storing items in damp areas or installing carpeting on damp floors.
Contact Galmiche & Sons to Help Eliminate Your Indoor Allergens
Don’t allow indoor allergens to affect your family’s health. Get in touch with Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis for all your heating & air conditioning maintenance needs, and for help getting indoor allergens eliminated in your home. Contact us today at 314-993-1110.
