Ten minor decor adjustments potentially boosting your seasonal allergy relief:
Addressing Seasonal Allergies with Home Decor Updates
As the allergy season begins, managing indoor allergens becomes crucial for comfort. While escaping the outdoors may seem like a solution, your own home might be contributing to allergy symptoms. Here are ten home decor updates that can help ease seasonal allergies based on expert advice.
Avoid Carpeting and Rugs
Allergist Dr. Tania Elliot advises eliminating wall-to-wall carpeting or old rugs, as they can harbor dust mites. An expert like Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors, recommends swapping them with hardwood or tile flooring, which is easier to clean and traps less dust. For those who cannot part with rugs, opt for sisal fibers instead of wool, and choose washable rugs that can be cleaned monthly to keep dust at bay.
Implement a Shoe Tray at the Entryway
A shoe tray in the entryway is more beneficial than a shoe rack, according to Dr. Elliot, as it catches dirt and debris. She advises removing shoes upon entering the house to prevent pollen from being tracked into the home. Offering guests a basket of slippers can ensure comfort without compromising cleanliness.
Cleanliness is Key in Laundry
Dr. Elliot suggests washing clothes immediately upon returning home and showering after spending time outside. Curtains, especially, collect dust and should be washed regularly or replaced with hypoallergenic shades or shutters.
Choose Easy-to-Clean Furniture
Opt for furniture with easy-to-clean surfaces, such as leather, to avoid dust and allergen accumulation. Washable furniture slipcovers are another solution to maintain a clean living space.
Upgrade Bedroom Essentials
Swap out upholstered headboards for wood or metal frames, and wash sheets weekly in hot water. Tightly woven cotton sheets, for instance, are comfortable, machine-washable, and help keep the room cool.
Limit Decorative Pillows
Although decorative pillows add a personal touch, they can aggravate allergies. To minimize the impact, opt for removable covers that can be laundered as needed.
Replace Fake Plants with Real Ones
Artificial plants can release chemicals that may be irritating to the lungs. Instead, invest in real plants, which can help purify the air and create a more pleasant indoor environment.
Invest in an Air Purifier
An air purifier with a HEPA filter can effectively trap allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Air purifiers should be placed in key spaces like living areas, bedrooms, and the kitchen to maintain clean air and reduce allergy symptoms.
- For individuals dealing with seasonal allergies, it's advisable to follow decorating tips from Real Simple, such as avoiding wall-to-wall carpeting and opting for hardwood or tile flooring to minimize dust harboring.
- To prevent pollen and dirt from entering your home, consider implementing a shoe tray at the entryway and providing guests with washable slippers.
- Incorporating health-and-wellness practices in your home-and-garden lifestyle is essential for those with allergies; for instance, washing clothes immediately after returning home and doing regular laundry of curtains can help reduce indoor allergens.
- When selecting bedroom essentials, choose easy-to-clean furniture like leather and washable furniture covers, and upgrade beddings to tightly woven cotton, which can be washed weekly in hot water to minimize allergens.
