Help control your allergy symptoms by keeping your home allergen free.
Here in Ontario, spring can be one of the most exciting times of the year. After the months of darkness and bitter cold come to an end, the mild temperatures and longer days are highly anticipated. As trees become green and the ground begins to thaw, spending time outdoors is a sought after way to spend any free time after being indoors for so many cold months. However, along with nature’s rebirth in spring come allergies, an unfortunate and unavoidable aspect of spring that over 25 percent of the population suffers from at this time of year.
Allergies, or sometimes referred to as hay fever, involve unpleasant symptoms that can be experienced at a very mild or extremely severe degree. Although spring is a beautiful time of year, many people have to limit their time outside to try to help control their allergies. Along with countless medications and natural remedies for allergy symptoms, there are many ways to help limit your exposure to different spring allergens from the inside out!
What are we allergic to anyways?
The most common allergies experienced in spring come from pollen that are most active from March until June. Pollen can come from trees, grass, sorrel and a variety of different weeds. Although ragweed is the most popular pollen to cause allergic reactions, it is most prevalent in August and September. Even though we relate pollen to spending time outside, hiking, swimming and other fun summer activities, pollen can easily be carried indoors to homes, stores, schools and other high-traffic buildings. Pollen can be carried in the air or on clothes, skin and hair sticking to softer surfaces indoors.
Mold is another allergen that becomes more active in damp weather, when snow is melting and rain is falling. Mold can grown on the surface of soil, plant leaves, grains, paper, damp walls, leather, inside refrigerators and fridges.
Allergies are not an outdoor problem!
Although they may come from Mother Nature, people with moderate to severe allergies will experience negative side effects from their allergies both indoors and outdoors. Pollen and mold, the two most common sources of allergies can both be found indoors. It is extremely difficult to control symptoms of allergies when someone is constantly exposed to the allergen in their home, so it is important to take proactive care during the spring season.
Keeping a clean house is the most effective way to limit the allergens in your home. Not only does this refer to keeping minimal amounts of clutter so there are fewer places for dust to settle or mold to grow, it is especially important to keep the air as clean as possible along with soft surfaces. Getting your carpets, ducts and furniture cleaned professionally is the most effective way to get rid of pollen or mold that has become trapped indoors. Duct cleaning will help keep the air circulating through out your home clean, along with soft surfaces.
Carpet and furniture cleaning is best when done with a deep steaming method. Although the process of deep steaming takes longer than dry or foam carpet cleaning, the results will be well worth while, especially if someone in your home is suffering from allergy symptoms. In these cases professionals are the most reliable because they will ensure that your carpet is dried properly afterwards. Otherwise, your carpets or upholstery will be at risk for mould growth if not dried properly.