From dust to pollen, smoke, and other air pollutants, airborne allergens are pretty much everywhere, especially in the urban areas of New York.
New York’s cold winters also instigate asthma due to the large blanket of cold air. Matched with other pollutants, the above elements make for being the worst nightmare for those with allergies and asthma.
The following are a few ways to deal with the above factors.
Seal Small Cracks Most of us tend to forget about the small cracks and gaps around our homes. Sealing air leaks is crucial for not only stopping cold air from coming in during New York’s colder months, but also for stopping allergens like pollen from entering your home. These small openings can be found under places like:
- Window cracks
- Garage doors
- Pet passageways
- Chimney and flue pipe gaps
- Attic access door openings
- Basement cavities
- Openings behind knee walls
- Gaps around recessed lights
Plugging such gaps and tightening up your doors and windows will not only keep allergens out; it will also save you money on electric bills as you conserve energy.
Generally, if you have an attic, you should start there, as that’s where you’ll most likely find the highest amount of energy outflows.
Control the Allergens Dust mites, mold, pollen, and pet dander are just a few of the allergens that can be found indoors, no matter what area you live in. They can reside along your walls, floors, furniture, and pretty much any other surface, whether it’s in a dry or moist room.
To stop these elements from increasing your tissue paper and medicine cabinet usage, you should clean regularly or hire a company such as First Class to come in and clean regularly and also use our Allergy Cleaning Specialists to perform all of the tasks mentioned above.
So where should you (or we) start?
Dust is the most common trigger of allergies and asthma. To avoid scattering dust particles in the air, make sure to use a damp cloth that can attract the dust while you clean, and remember to wear a protective face mask.
Lowering clutter around your home will also help prevent dust buildup, as will washing your sheets, pillow cases and throw rugs once a week.
If you have pets, make sure to vacuum regularly since saliva, urine and other particles will float in the air and spark your symptoms. You should also give your pet a wash/bath at least once a week. In addition, you can try to designate some rooms or locations of your home as pet-free areas so that your pet won’t lie down on your bed or furniture.
Mold and mildew generally grow in moist areas like the bathroom, and eventually, they can turn into airborne allergens as they float in the air. If you have wallpaper, you should replace it with tile or use paint that’s resistant to mold. After you shower, you should also turn on a fan or use a towel to dry the walls in order to prevent mold growth. Use a dehumidifier and/or an air purifier and always scrub away moldy tiles and walls.
Clean without igniting allergy symptoms through the use of green cleaning products. As strong chemicals can aggravate allergies, using natural home cleaners and environmentally friendly products like those used by First Class is a must!
Contact First Class today to get started on clearing your home of any unwelcome germs.
