Tips for Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

Are you sniffing and sneezing lately? If so, consider yourself in the majority. Allergy season is upon us and allergy sufferers are really feeling it. I have talked about indoor air quality and it’s effect on allergies as well as some of the solutions MTB Heating and Air offers for cleaning up indoor air in previous blogs. Below, you will find some easy tips for reducing allergens within your home that are simple and helpful.1) Avoid bringing allergens into your home- A great deal of allergens are brought into your home on the bottom of your shoes. The soles of your shoes pick up pollen etc. off your driveway, walkway and lawn and when you come inside you track these allergens in with you. A good solution is to take your shoes off before you come inside. If you enjoy gardening or just being out in your yard, have a specific pair of shoes that are for that purpose right outside your door that you can easily slip on and off.
2) Control the humidity in your home- Humidity breeds mold. Use your attic fan if you have one to keep the moisture levels down in your attic. In addition, be faithful about running your bathroom fan while showering. This willl be very helpful in controlling mold-activated allergy symptoms.
3) Wash your bedding often- Wash your bedding once a week in hot water to kill dust mites.
4) Smother dust mites- Washing your bedding will kill dust mites, but that is no help for the ones that live in your pillows and mattresses. Purchase a special cover for your pillow and mattress that will protect you from dust mite infestation.
5) Be a thorough cleaner- This is the time of year to concentrate on thoroughly dusting your home. Dust cloths tend to scatter as much dust as they collect. Instead, dust with electrostatic material that will permanently trap the dust you wipe up. After use, either throw them away or make sure you wash them if they aren’t disposable.
6) Use an effective vacuum- Make sure your vacuum not only picks up small particles but also traps them so they aren’t picked up and then blown back around.
7) Use a good filter in your HVAC system and change it frequently.