Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? Keep in mind that indoor allergies are on the rise during the cold, dark months. We’ve compiled some expert tips on how to prepare your home for a big gathering so that no one, including yourself, suffers from any allergy symptoms while serving up stuffing.
Common Winter Allergens
An allergen is the substance that triggers an allergic reaction in your body. Allergens themselves are quite harmless to your health, but your body alerts the immune system, and its efforts to neutralize the allergen lead to the allergy symptoms you’re familiar with. Allergens are commonly associated with outdoor irritants, such as pollen; however, in the winter months, the most active allergens often live and thrive indoors. These include:
- Dust
- Mold
- Pet dander
Eliminating Allergens from Your Home
Basically, it’s time for a deep clean! To tackle dust, mold and pet dander effectively, a thorough cleaning of your home is necessary. Use this as a checklist.
- Dust all surfaces. Work from high to low, so any dust you send airborne up high will be captured again down low.
- Vacuum all floors. Consider using a carpet cleaner on carpeted floors.
- Wash all linens. Couch covers, pillow covers, throw blankets, placemats, reusable napkins and any other linens your guests may come into contact with should all receive a thorough wash to remove dust and pet dander. Pet dander, in particular, can cling to items like couch cushions for a long time.
- When pulling seasonal decorations out of storage, wash them thoroughly before placing them around your home. Consider storing them in airtight containers when you put them away again to prevent dust and mold buildup for next year.
- Bathe your pet(s). Get any dust off that might be hiding in their coat and rinse off excess dander. It may not be enough for someone with a severe pet allergy, which may require having your pet stay elsewhere during your gathering, but if a guest has a mild allergy, a bath might help with their symptoms.
- Use a dehumidifier in any damp rooms or areas in your house.
- Clean your furnace filters.
- Refresh the coat closet. Dust can build up in coats and in the corners of small spaces, like closets. Vacuum this area well and remove as many coats from the closet as you can. This will decrease the amount of dusty coats your guests are exposed to and make more room in the coat closet for guests to hang their coats.
Have a Wonderful Holiday!
Allergy-proofing your home is a labor of love, and your guests will appreciate it. Not to mention, you may feel a decrease in your own allergy symptoms, as well. These tips will improve your indoor air quality and reduce dust and dander floating around your home. We at Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery wish you a joyous celebration of the holiday.
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