Those who suffer from allergies need to do whatever they can to keep the symptoms at bay, including using a selection of large and small appliances in the home. As someone who suffers from allergies myself during certain times of the year, I know a thing or two about what can help. For allergy sufferers, the changing of the seasons means more than just sunshine and beautiful flowers blooming or leaves falling. It’s the onset of a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and/or even hives.
But allergy symptoms can flare up all year ‘round, the result of everything from dust and pollen to allergies to specific plant life, trees, even animals. Here are some things you can consider that might help.
Get an air purifier
Many people invest in air purifiers to keep the air clean and rid of bacteria and germs. But a good air purifier will clear the air of common allergens, too. This can include everything from pet dander to dust. Having a smart air purifier that will run only when needed (when it detects impurities in the air), or that you can set on a schedule, can help alleviate symptoms.
Learn about all the ways your home can benefit from an air purifier.
Use a robot vacuum for daily maintenance
Not everyone has time to vacuum every day. Chances are you do a big clean-up once a week. But with a robot vacuum, you can have a machine do the heavy lifting for you every day, even while you’re not home. You’ll only need to worry about picking up messes and doing your usual weekly cleans, and the floors and carpets will be cleaner than ever. Using a robot vacuum can get rid of a collection of dust and debris that might be exacerbating your symptoms.
Find the perfect robot vacuum for your home and family and learn more about how they work in our robot vacuum buying guide.
Invest in a dehumidifier
Did you know that humidity in the home can also bring on allergy symptoms? If you find that your home tends to get hot and humid, you can run air conditioning to help keep it cool. See our air conditioners buying guide to find the right one for your family and home.
But you can also help remove moisture from the air with a dehumidifier. Keeping the home at the proper humidity level can help decrease things like dust mites and mold growth, especially in a room like the basement. See our guide on how to find the right dehumidifier for your home for some tips. When it comes to allergy sufferers in particular, look for one with a HEPA filter that can remove airborne toxins and bacteria as well.
Use hypo-allergenic sheets and pillows
You might not think about your bed sheets or pillows as items that can contribute to allergies, but they actually can. The material of the sheets and even the material inside pillows or a duvet could be a common allergen, or one to which you’re specifically allergic. The easiest way to combat this is to invest in hypo-allergenic sheets, duvets and duvet covers and/or comforters, and pillows and pillowcases. Make sure to wash them at least weekly and replace your pillows every year or two.
You’ll also want pillows and bedding that can be washed in hot water to get rid of allergens, so check wash labels before investing. If you’re looking for a new washing machine and dryer, consider a model that has a setting for bedding or an allergen mode that specifically tackles allergens.
Pet owners in particular might want to look at a set like the Maytag Pet Pro washer and dryer that is specially designed to tackle pet stains as well as lift and filter out excess pet hair from your clothing and linens.
Close windows and doors
Having windows and doors open during warmer days, especially before it gets so hot that you have no choice but to rely on air conditioning, is wonderful. A beautiful cross breeze throughout the home can make your day. But it can also wreak havoc on your allergies. If it’s high time for pollen, keeping a door or window open will allow this to get into your home. You can counteract it with an air purifier. But if you find this doesn’t help, stick to air conditioning or throw on a tank and pair of shorts until the pollen count is down.
Keep the house clean
It sounds simple but keeping your home clean can help alleviate allergy symptoms caused by an accumulation of dust on surfaces that the vacuum can’t or doesn’t get to. It can also prevent the growth of mold and mold spores, another common cause of allergies.
You should focus on cleaning specific areas and items that are known to collect dust. One culprit in my home, for example, is stuffed animals in my son’s room. I always know when we need to do a wash cycle of his stuffed animals as he’ll wake up coughing, sneezing, or with itchy eyes. We try to do a stuffed animal wash cycle every few months to get these cute critters that he sleeps with free of dust and allergens and prevent those symptoms.
Replace your furnace filter
It’s a simple thing but keeping your furnace filter clean by replacing it more often might make difference. I can often sense when ours needs to be replaced because I start to sniffle, sneeze, ad get itchy eyes. Some experts suggest that you should change your furnace filter every three months. There is widespread debate over whether or not allergy-specific filters are worth the extra money: for what it’s worth, I get them and find they work better.
The best way to figure it out is to try it. Either invest in an allergy-specific furnace filter that is designed to capture more, or use a regular filter and periodically check how much dust, dirt, and debris has been collected so you know when it should be changed. Make a judgement call and change as often as you think is necessary.
Breathe easy
Allergies are common and symptoms can be brought on by a lot of things. This means not just during specific seasons, but even all year. Take steps to alleviate those symptoms by investing in the right products for your home. Items that clean the air, rid it of humidity, and help you keep the home clean can all contribute to reducing those symptoms.
There’s sadly no way to eliminate allergy symptoms altogether. But taking these simple steps will hopefully help you breathe easier.
Check out plenty of large and small appliances that can help allergy sufferers at Best Buy Online.
