Make Your Home Safe from Allergens and Mold with These Tips

Sometimes we don’t realize that the biggest cause of our allergies and illnesses can be our home. Our home is where we feel safe, so it’s natural to overlook its potential to cause allergies, asthma irritation, and other respiratory illnesses. No matter the age of your house, it’s a good idea to give your house a once over to ensure you aren’t dealing with any kind of mold or excess allergens that could be making your family ill.

You might think that just because your surfaces are dust free that you’ve eliminated a majority of household allergens, but think again. Dust mites are a common trigger for allergies and asthma and are found in bedding and rugs. If you have a family member with asthma, ensure that bedding, curtains, and carpets are cleaned regularly. Using special covers for your mattresses and box springs will help curb the dust mite population, too.

Preventing Mold

Once mold has established itself, it’s hard to get rid of without tearing out and replacing everything it has invaded. Instead, it’s best to prevent mold before it happens. Mold requires moisture to grow, so eliminating and/or reducing the moisture in your house is key, especially if you live in a hot climate or an already humid region. You probably know to do things like fix leaks, use dehumidifiers, and wipe down wet areas, but there are a few other things you can do to stop moisture. Keep the house warm in cool weather, as cooler air allows moisture to condense on surfaces. You should also have an HVAC technician out twice a year to ensure all of your heating and cooling systems’ parts are operating to properly remove moisture from the air.

Control Pet Dander

Your furry family members can be a major source of allergens. Keep pets out of sleeping areas, and if you have a particularly sensitive family member, clean upholstered furniture and heavily used carpets once or twice a week. Experts recommend using vacuums with HEPA filters or double bags to get the most dander and dust out of carpets and upholstery.

Let the Professionals Deal with Mold

While you can certainly handle the preventative measures in your home, if you do find your house has a mold problem, it’s best to let the professionals from companies like Bios Environments in Augusta, ME, clean it up. Most household cleaners will wipe away mold, but they won’t kill mold spores. This means you’re not stopping or preventing it from spreading. To keep it from coming back, professionals have the equipment to properly rid your house of mold.

With regular home maintenance and cleaning, you can be successful in eliminating and controlling common household allergens and molds. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for controlling the safety of your home if you have family members with asthma or more severe allergies.