Suffering from summer allergies? Three simple steps to reduce indoor symptoms

It may seem counter-intuitive, but the air inside your home is typically more polluted with allergens than the air you breathe outdoors. Aside from times whe n the pollen count is high, you’re subjecting yourself to millions of particles of allergens just by spending time in your home. Instead of suffering through your allergies this summer, take some steps to improve your indoor air quality and take control over your allergies.

Provide adequate ventilation

• Bringing in fresh air can significantly improve your air quality, not to mention getting rid of the smell of stale air that many people try to mask with scented air fresheners. Open your windows in the morning when outdoor air is cool and allergens are less likely to be present.
• Putting a fan in your window to bring outdoor air inside can also help freshen the home. During hot weather when you need to run your air conditioner, change air conditioner filters monthly so they’ll do a good job of removing allergens from the air as it enters your home.
• Make sure to get rid of highly polluted indoor air as quickly as possible. If you paint or do other home improvement projects, open windows in those areas and let fumes dissipate. Focus on venting polluted air from key areas in your home, including installing an exhaust fan in your bathrooms and keeping your chimney clean.

Control sources of indoor pollution

• Much of what’s polluting your home actually comes from inside your home, not outside. Mold is one of the most serious indoor pollutants. Even if you don’t see a major mold problem, you may have some growth. Run dehumidifiers to keep indoor humidity between 40 and 50 percent. Humidity as low as 30 percent in basements will prevent the development of moist conditions that encourages mold growth. Without dehumidifiers, your home’s humidity may be closer to 70 percent, although it varies depending on your climate.
• Another source of pollution is a gas stove, which often lets off harmful fumes as gas burns. Adjust the level of your pilot light to reduce the baseline level of pollutants being released and use an exhaust fan to vent fumes as you cook.
• Reduce your use of chemicals that pollute indoor air. For example, air fresheners have particles that linger long after their scent has dispersed. Household cleaning supplies can often cause allergies to kick up. Rely on natural cleaners, like baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar, to avoid the fumes that come from chemical cleaners.

Clean indoor air

• Once pollutants are in your home, stick to a regular cleaning schedule to get them out. Vacuuming once a week helps keep pet dander to a minimum, even for people who don’t have severe pet allergies. Dusting often helps remove dust mites that may start to gather in problem spots. Be sure to use a damp dust rag so you don’t just disperse the dust back into your air. Consider making your own furniture polish to avoid releasing more allergens into the air.

Thankfully, these strategies are simple and can be implemented right away to reduce the presence of allergens in your home. Their impact will add up over time; even if you’re not seeing immediate results in the form of allergy relief, stick with the changes you make. Before long, you’ll be breathing more easily because of improved indoor air quality.