6 Ways to Reduce Allergens in Your Home Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Reducing Allergens at Home May 24, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Pollen, dust, mold, and other allergens can feel unavoidable to allergy sufferers. But you're not powerless in the fight against runny noses and watery eyes! "There are definitely some steps you can take around your house to make allergy season more bearable," says Dr. Flora Sinha, a Cedars-Sinai primary care doctor. Here are some good cleaning habits to help with allergies year-round Dust smart Dust and mold particles, along with pollen, are common allergy culprits. When dusting, clean from top to bottom to avoid spreading dust on areas you just cleaned. Also, don't just brush the dust away with a feather duster or cloth. Damp microfiber cloths will trap the dust instead of just moving it around. Make sure you remember to clean ceiling fans, blinds, and curtains. Don t forget your filters First, make sure the filters you already have are in good shape and clean, like those in your air conditioning units or your central heating and air conditioning system. Check that they're the right ones for the job. You can also add filters to your home if you don't have them, either as stand-alone room units or in your central heating and air system. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has some recommendations: For a single room, you want an air cleaning unit with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. Make sure its CADR (clean air delivery rate) is right for the size of the room. If you have a central heating and air conditioning system in your home, you can turn it into a filtration system for your whole home by installing a better air filter. Permanent and disposable options are available. Read: Why Am I Sneezing? Wash and cover pillows After a long day, everyone looks forward to snuggling into their pillow. You know what else loves pillows? Dust mites. The horrifying factoid that pillows and mattresses get heavier over time from dust mites and their droppings? It's true, says Dr. Sinha. Washable pillowcase dust covers are a must. Wash those and your usual pillowcases every 3 weeks. Depending on the kind of pillow you have, it can be washed or dry cleaned every 3 to 4 months. Keep your bed and mattress clean A dust cover is a must-have accessory for your mattress too, which is also prone to becoming a haven for dust mites over time. Also clean your headboard and your bedframe, especially if either is covered in fabric. Limit how much pollen you let inside As much as you can, keep the windows closed if you have air conditioning to avoid pollen being blown inside. Take off your shoes outside, or have a mat at the door where you can wipe your feet. Keeping inside temperatures cool also helps prevent humidity. Humidity creates the perfect environment for mold and dust mites. Splurge on the right vacuum cleaner for the job Not all vacuums are created equal. Dr. Sinha recommends a bagless vacuum with a HEPA filter. If possible, wood or other hard floors that can be dusted and mopped are preferable to carpeting for those with serious allergies. Read: How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Your Health? Tags Expert Advice Allergies Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics Cancer Women's Health Heart Expert Advice Patient Stories Brain Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility