Spring Allergies: Pollen Wars
Oh, how this Spring of love resembleth / The uncertain glory of an April day!” ~ William Shakespeare. “Spring makes everything look filthy” ~ Katherine Whitehorn.
It seems that, no matter the era, there are those who love Spring and those who despise it. My guess? The latter group has allergies. Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning is often called in to help them out by removing dust and grime, but we want to do more. So, in addition to our carpet cleaning services, here’s a guide to help you fight spring allergies.
I. Know Thy Enemy
Since this is a battle against the forces of allergens, here’s advice from Sun Tzu: “if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled by a hundred battles . . . if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.”
It’s important to figure out what in your area is blooming – know your enemy – and there are two sites that can help: pollen.com and greerlabs.com. The first has local forecasts of pollen type and density in your area. The second has an allergy map and botanical profiles to help you further understand what’s troubling you.
Once you know the potential enemies, figure out which are plaguing you. Maybe you already know it’s a certain grass or tree, but if not you should consult a physician. Knowing what you’re allergic to will help you make a good battle plan. For example, if it turns out you’re not allergic to the pollen in the air, but rather the mold from the wet weather, you can focus on fighting humidity and excess moisture in your home.
II. Take Care of Your Home
Allergens will attack at anytime so be sure your home is ready for anything. To begin, conduct a thorough cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming to remove any Winter build up. Consider getting your vents cleaned and bring out a carpet cleaner like Oxi Fresh to finish the job. Once you’ve done that, be sure to set up a vacuuming schedule to prevent buildup – try a vacuum with HEPA filters to ensure better air quality.
In addition to regular cleaning, there are many other ways to protect your home:
– Regularly wash towels and linens.
– Get a dehumidifier if you live in a damp area with lots of mold.
– Keep pets off of furniture and beds.
– Check your yard for any of the big pollen offenders and remove any you find (if possible.)
– Keep your windows closed during high pollen times – 5:00am to 10:00am generally.
III. Take Care of Yourself
Making your home allergen free is a good step, but taking care of yourself is even more important. If you use allergy medication, be sure to take it regularly and on time to ensure maximum effectiveness. You may also want to consider wearing filter masks when you’re doing any allergen related task like cleaning or gardening. The most important thing, though, is seeing an allergen specialist. These experts can help you identify the best course of treatment for you – whether it’s supplements, nasal sprays, or even shots to boost your immunity against certain allergens. When I was a child, allergy appointments weren’t my favorite thing, but I loved being able to go outside without feeling like my nose was going to explode.
Follow these tips and you’ll be headed to a more comfortable, less sneeze-y Spring. Everyone here at Oxi Fresh wishes you luck in your fight against allergens and remember to give us a call whenever you need a green carpet cleaning.
Thanks to Rigel Celeste, Laurie Boris, and Pantagraph.com for the tips and tricks for fighting allergies.
