How to get rid of allergens in the home

For people who suffer from allergies it can seem like an impossible task to shield yourself from everything that can trigger a reaction. 

There seems to be an endless list of culprits such as dust, mould, smoke, germs, viruses and pollen. 

However, you don’t have to be a meticulous cleaner to protect your home from common allergens like these. Here we discuss how you can easily reduce the volume of allergens in your home, and achieve a deeper clean throughout every room in your house.

Cleaning guide: Removing allergens in your home

1- Dust and clean from top to bottom

Dust, pollen and pet dander are the most common indoor allergens and they can get everywhere - on upholstery, clothes, bedding, cabinets as well as floating in the air. Some particles are so small the naked eye can't see them which can mean homes which appear clean are still full of allergy triggering matter. 

Allergy UK claim that with 90% of our time being spent indoors there has never been a more crucial time to exercise good hygiene.

The first step to make the home free of allergens is to clean the house from top to bottom with a solid vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. 

Don't just stop with the floor, make sure to clean upholstered furniture, blinds, curtains, walls, ceilings, lampshades/fans. 

For any house dust the vacuum cleaner can't get to, use a damp cloth rather than a duster as this could just move the dust around rather than pick it up.

The Upright 300 is our lightest and most steerable Upright Hoover ever and comes with a H13 HEPA filter to help eliminate those common allergens which cause allergic reactions.

This step will ensure much of the existing allergens in the home are removed but it won't stop any new allergens from entering the home.

2- Wash textiles, upholstery and bedding

Dust mites are a common allergen which cause allergies and can often be found all over the home. Dust mites are microscopic and feed off dead skin, they're commonly found where people and pets spend a lot of time, such as on beds and sofas; the living room and bedroom are popular with these creatures. 

Dust mites don't tend to bite and shouldn't be confused with bed bugs, but they can cause an allergic reaction with contact (skin rash) and by being inhaled. They can be particularly annoying for those who suffer with asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Before we can create an allergy unfriendly home, we should wash all bedding and upholstery as much as we can to kill any existing dust mites. Higher temperatures are best but always follow the recommended washing machine settings given on the label. Drying them indoors or in a tumble dryer is recommended as clothes drying outside can pick up pollen.

We'd also recommend steam cleaning the mattresses whilst washing the sheets as well as anything else which can't be machine washed or vacuumed.

3- Use a HEPA filtered vacuum

A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter traps ultra-fine particles (up to 0.3 Microns) as they are sucked into your vacuum cleaner. 

This might include dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, common allergens, or even bacteria. Trapping these particulates prevents them from being released back into your home - improving air quality and removing allergens from the environment as you clean.

All of our upright vacuum cleaners have a HEPA-13 filter as standard, these models are corded with plenty of tools and great suction power. They include the brand new HL5 Push & Lift, and the lightweight and steerable Upright 300.

If you're looking for a cylinder Hoover with a HEPA filtration system then we have the H-POWER 300 Allergy bagless cylinder model with its cyclonic technology and a sealed antibacterial silver ion chamber. Perfect for picking up pet hair with great suction performance which will also pick up and trap the fine particles from a hard floor or carpet.

These vacuums are a great match for people who suffer from asthma and allergy flare ups, but still want an all-round vacuum cleaner.

4- Limit how much pollen you let inside

Allergic symptoms will persist if you are always exposed to pollen both inside and outside. Taking some steps to reduce how much pollen you bring in will give the air purifier and vacuum cleaner less work to do, especially if you are going from room to room regularly. Keeping the windows shut, leaving your shoes outside and changing your clothes and having a shower/bath as soon as you come home are great ways to reduce the amount of pollen and other allergens entering your home.

An air purifier and vacuum cleaner can help pick up whatever does manage to sneak in.

5- Groom your pets

Hair, animal dander and even pollen which can be stuck in their fur can all cause allergy symptoms.

We recommend brushing your pet's hair thoroughly outside (and make sure to change clothes after you're finished) and regularly giving them a bath and their regular flea treatment to boot. 

Animal allergens are common, but with regular grooming, vacuuming with a pet vacuum cleaner and air purification it can be kept at bay. Many dogs shed more than usual at the same time as high pollen season which can cause a pile up of allergies.

In addition, it's also recommended to try and keep pets to one particular area of the house or outside. It's especially helpful to keep pets away from beds and sofas as much as possible to prevent dander and hair from sticking to them. Placing an air purifier in the room where your pet is or has recently been can help improve the air quality overall.

Conclusion

By creating a habit of getting on top of allergens in the home it can significantly improve the quality of life of everyone in the home. It can create a safe space where breathing is easier and somewhere to escape during the days of high pollen counts and air pollution.

Having cleaner surfaces and purified air in the home can lead to better overall health, less bouts of symptoms and a better night's sleep. It's not just people who suffer from hay fever, asthma or other respiratory issues who stand to gain but everyone else who lives in or visits your home, too.