7 Important Tips for Living with Pet and Mite Allergens Around the Home

It can be difficult to live with pet and mite allergies, and you might find yourself reacting to them quite often. Short of taking an antihistamine, it can be difficult to see what you can do reduce your exposure – especially since getting rid of beloved pets is out of the question. In this guide, we take you through a few tips and tricks for dealing with pet dander and dust mites that are lurking in your home.

#1 Keep Your House Clean and Dusted

It is important that you keep your home clean and in good condition at all times. Dusting regularly is essential, as is keeping the floors vacuumed and your bedding washed regularly. The same goes for other soft furnishings like cushions, pillows, and throws. Doing all of this will help to reduce and/or remove the allergens from your home, leaving you with air that is much easier to breathe.

#2 Watch the Soft Furnishings

Soft furnishings can make the perfect home for dust mites and pet dander, and they can have a large effect on how much of a reaction you have. If you choose hard floors instead of carpet, allergens are less likely to sink into the flooring and remain there, and will instead be much easier to suck up with the vacuum or wash away.

You can also purchase a mattress cover that has been tested and approved as an allergy-proof item, which will help to keep the dust mites away and allow you to sleep better. Keeping the soft furnishings limited in the rooms you spend the most time in will also benefit you.

#3 Restrict Pet Access in the Home

If your allergies are caused by your pets, try to restrict their access to certain rooms in your home, such as your bedroom. It’s not fair to keep them outside all the time, so restricting their access is an excellent option. You will find that you suffer less, and that both you are your pet are happy with the arrangement. It will also help if you groom them regularly outside and wash them frequently, as the allergies are caused by their dead skin and dried saliva.

#4 Switch the Curtains for Blinds

Curtains are the perfect place for allergens, and they can really provoke you if they are not cleaned thoroughly and regularly. Of course, this is not always easy, and the allergens are often still there when you are done. The best thing to do if you have allergies to dust mites or pet dander is to invest in a set of binds, as these are easy to clean and maintain.

#5 Improve the Ventilation in Your Home

Good ventilation is a great way to keep allergens at bay and ensure the air in your home remains circulated as opposed to becoming stagnant. If you use dehumidifiers in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom, damp air will be removed, which will make the air much easier for you to breathe.

#6 Use a Vacuum with a HEPA Filter

When it comes to selecting a vacuum cleaner, it is ideal to get a model with a HEPA filter. These tend to be hospital grade and work superbly to capture dust mites and general allergens when compared to other types of filters. Models from the Dyson Animal Range are good vacuum cleaners with an approved HEPA filter.

#7 Get an Air Purifier

Air purifiers are a fantastic solution when it comes to relieving you of allergic reactions. They take in the allergens and trap them, expelling clean air in return. Of course, it should be noted that changing the air purifier every 90 days or so is highly recommended. Smart Vacuums suggest the HoMedics HEPA Air Purifier and the Bionaire Compact Air Purifier as some of the best models for the home.

To Conclude

Hopefully this guide has helped to give you a better understanding of the things you can do to keep allergens at bay when it comes to dust mites and pet dander. Keeping things clean and regularly washed, as well as investing in a good vacuum and air purifier are sure ways to make life that much easier for you.

Did our tips help you? Are there any that you would have added? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

About the Author:

Gemma Tyler is a freelance writer and blogger. You can keep up to date by following Gemma on Twitter, Facebook & Pinterest. If you are interested in reading more of her vacuum and cleaning related content, be sure to check out her ultimate guides here.