How to Get Rid of Allergens in Your Home

This time of year is one of our very favorites at Bartone Interiors. The weather is getting warmer, flowers and trees are blooming all around, bees are buzzing, and new growth feels so tangible. Spring is a season that inspires so many of our design choices.

But if you’re a person who suffers from seasonal (or year-round) allergies, you know well that the spring and early summer months can also mean a whole lot of sneezing, dry eyes, scratchy throat, coughing, and more. While spring can be a headache (literally and figuratively!) to allergy sufferers, there are plenty of steps we can take to reduce the allergens that enter our homes. Dust, pollen, dirt, mold, pet dander, and other debris are commonly known as the allergen culprits behind those sneezing fits.

And while allergies don’t end for everyone at the end of the season, you can start to put an end to allergies in your home through re-thinking these five areas:

Flooring

When trying to decide on a floor option for your bedrooms and living rooms, it can be easy to lean towards those soft, plush carpets that feel so cozy. But if you tend to be allergy-prone, consider going with the more traditional hardwoods. Even a tile floor or a concrete floor can prevent allergens from being released every time you take a step.

Pro tip: A best-of-both-worlds scenario for your floor – install hardwoods or another easy-to-clean flooring option and supplement with area rugs. Rugs can (and should!) be washed every other week to remove any trapped dander, dust, pollen, or other allergy-inducing molds.

Furnishings

Who doesn’t love sinking into a plushy, fuzzy sofa? Except when they cause a sneeze attack from trapped allergens! You don’t have to say goodbye to beautiful pieces or soft surfaces to lower your allergic reactions in your home. Furnishings upholstered in leather can give your living room a luxurious feel while still making your living space a little less dusty.

Pro tip: To avoid additional off-gassing from new furniture, consider finding some beautiful vintage pieces or letting your new furniture “breathe” in the warehouse prior to bringing into your living space.

bedding

While natural materials are better for you from a VOC perspective (that’s volatile organic compounds), they also tend to be a little healthier for those who are heavily impacted by allergens. Natural linen and cotton can be great alternatives to synthetic bedding that tend to trap dust mites and create a sneeze-filled sleep.

Additionally, a dust-mite-proof cover adds another layer of protection to your bedding. You can encase your pillows, mattresses, box spring, and even duvets in covers that will make it harder for mites to sleep with you.

Pro tip: Although we love our furry friends snuggling with us at night, if your allergy flare-ups are particularly bothersome in the bedroom, consider making the bedroom pooch-and-feline-free to avoid additional dander. Pets not only have allergens they produce, but they can be carriers bringing outdoor allergens into your home.

clutter

We love some well-placed accessories just as much if not more than the next person, but for every accessory, there is dust to be had. When selecting accessories for your home styling, make sure you’re choosing a few pieces you love, rather than going overboard with unneeded knick knacks. Not only will it reduce visual clutter, making your home more stylish, but it will also give you fewer things to dust.

Pro tip: Make sure to dust weekly, especially in spaces with more small pieces that trap dust to avoid allergen buildup. Look for dust cloths that attract and trap dust particles or try using a vacuum on your accessories.

windows

Natural light and fresh air are a must! But when it comes to windows, they can also let in a lot of allergens – especially during hay fever season. Double-paned windows with tight seals are a guaranteed way to make sure the least amount of pollen, dust, and dirt makes its way into your home. Frequent cleanings of windows – including removing any condensation build-up that could lead to mold – is another key to making sure pesky allergens aren’t making your house their home.

Pro tip: The same considerations apply to doors! Make sure doors are well-sealed and the screens are cleaned frequently. An area rug at your front and back doors can also prevent shoes from tracking allergen-filled dirt into your home. Even better, consider implementing a shoe-free home.

When it comes to your home, you want it to be a place that brings a sigh of relief to your life, not a stuffy nose and scratchy eyes. Design changes can dramatically improve the quality of your health in your home – not just in the spring, but all year round. Let’s start a conversation today about how to make your home a place of wellness and restoration.