Cleaning Tips for Summer Allergy Sufferers

There's no denying that summer brings many delights, from sun-soaked days at the beach to stunning fields of fragrant flowers. But for some of us, summer also ushers in less-than-pleasant companions: pollen and mold. These tiny particles, seemingly harmless, can be a real nightmare for allergy sufferers.

The good news is that there are ways to mitigate their effects, making your home a safe haven from the allergenic onslaught.

Lucky for you, this year, you're not fighting these microscopic mercenaries alone! Your new champion, Melissa Homer, a seasoned cleaning expert with over 18 years of experience in one of North America's largest residential cleaning franchises, is also a fellow allergy sufferer.

She’s here to arm you with insider tricks to fend off the summer allergen attack, making your home cleaner, healthier, and sneeze-free. Whether you are cleaning for your own family or professionally, understanding how to manage allergies through hygiene will make you the hero of any home!

1. If You Sneeze, Clean the Breeze

Air purifiers can be a game-changer when it comes to managing summer allergies. They continuously filter out allergens from your indoor air, providing significant relief to your sneezing and itching. Not only does it alleviate your symptoms, but it also reduces dust accumulation in your home, making it easier to clean. But if purchasing an air purifier is not in your budget, fret not! A box fan and four HEPA filters are all you need to create a DIY air purifier.

Regardless of which air cleaner you procure, be sure to think about placement, as a whole house air cleaner is useless if it is trapped in an enclosed room where you keep the door shut all the time. Depending on the layout of your home, you may benefit from several small units instead of one massive one that is underutilized.

Cleaning and replacing the filters in your central air or window AC units should also be part of your regular cleaning routine. Over time, these filters collect a large amount of dust and allergens, and if not cleaned, they could exacerbate your allergy symptoms and strain the AC’s motor.

Make sure to clean or replace the filters regularly for fresher, cleaner indoor air. Don’t forget to read the manual for the correct MERV rating for your replacement HEPA filters, as too strong a filter can strain your motor worse than the dirt).

2. Sleep Is Precious, Dust Mites Are Not

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary where you can sleep sneeze-free and let your body recoup from the daily allergen onslaught. A good way to ensure this is by using waterproof encasements for your Mattress Encasements (ideally, you should cover your pillows, and box springs while you are at it).

These barriers lock out moisture and food from getting to the dust mites, making your bed a no-go zone for these pesky critters (as a side perk, they also stop bed bugs from taking over too). And don't forget to wash your bedding regularly, ideally weekly if your allergies are bad, or at least twice a month for minor allergy sufferers.

Additionally, consider giving your mattress a good cleaning. Sprinkle it with baking soda, let it sit for a few hours to absorb moisture and odors, and then vacuum it up. This simple routine can go a long way in ensuring better, allergy-free sleep.

3. Dust Smarter, Not Harder

Investing in high-quality cleaning tools can transform your cleaning routine, especially for allergy sufferers where missing dust and dirt is mission critical. Microfiber Wholesale's dusters, towels, and mops are genuinely in a league of their own. They trap and retain more dirt and allergens than any cotton tool or even cheap microfiber alternatives so that you can clean faster and easier than ever before.

Using high-quality microfiber truly matters because not only are you capturing more allergens faster, the gain in speed and reduction in exhaustion makes it 100X easier to get yourself to clean more frequently. For most allergy sufferers, their biggest downfall is not cleaning up the allergens often enough, which they usually blame on being too busy and it being too hard.

When you upgrade to Microfiber Wholesale, you can mop floors in moments, scour showers in a snap, and clean ceiling fans in seconds, so cleaning frequently becomes far less daunting!

4. Conquer Carpeting

Your carpet might feel soft under your feet, but it's also a potential reservoir for dust mites and pollen. Carpet fibers act like a filter for air flowing through your home, trapping allergens out of your indoor air and providing a cozy home for them. Regular vacuuming is crucial, but it's only one part of the equation.

At least once a year, consider having your carpets deep cleaned by professionals. Steam cleaning is ideal, as it penetrates deep into your carpet's fibers, where the high heat decimates dust mite colonies. While you're scheduling an appointment, see if they can also clean your mattress and upholstered furniture, as allergens love to settle in there too. It's an efficient way to tackle a ton of allergen hotspots in one go.

Don’t forget, if you get your carpets cleaned professionally or even try to DIY, carpet cleaning can actually make your problem worse if you don’t dry it properly. Set up fans and ensure the increased airflow is maintained for hours, as residual moisture in the carpet or carpet padding underneath can lead to mold growth. This is another hugely irritating allergen and can impact your overall health.

5. Manage the Mold-Feeding Moisture

Speaking of keeping your carpets dry, mold loves moisture wherever it can find it. Unfortunately, it's not just your bathroom or kitchen that’s the problem. Your entire home in the summer can be a haven for mold, especially if you live in a humid climate.

This is where a Dehumidifier can make a big difference. By reducing moisture levels, you're making your home less hospitable to mold and other allergens. Moist environments also cause dust to cling to surfaces, so drying things out makes dusting easier too!

But remember, not all dehumidifiers are created equal. If possible, invest in one with a pump. This ensures continuous operation, as you don't have to worry about the tank getting full and the dehumidifier shutting down.

6. Consider Killing Your Clutter

Clutter isn't just an eyesore; it's also an obstacle to effective cleaning and a potential allergen trap. Organizational methods like Swedish Death Cleaning or Marie Kondo's method might seem extreme, but their broader message is vital: reducing clutter can significantly improve your home's cleanliness.

Remember that decluttering is not an all-or-nothing game, no matter what Kondo fanatics online tell you. Even if you can't achieve Instagram levels of tidiness, don’t despair, as any amount of decluttering is beneficial.

Getting rid of even 20% of your clutter can make a noticeable difference in the cleanliness of your home and your ability to manage allergens. Once you've decluttered, try to keep your remaining belongings in easy-to-move organizers. This allows you to clean more thoroughly and efficiently without having to work around unnecessary items.

At the End of the Day, Don’t Throw Your Claritin Away!

Allergies can turn the joys of summer into a season of sneezing and stress, but it doesn't have to be this way. Following the advice above will empower you to take control of your indoor environment and make your home an allergen-safe haven. Remember, though, to keep your expectations realistic based on your lifestyle, as this advice only works when you use it, not just read it.

If you are too busy to clean more often, can’t part with your clutter, and prefer the fresh breeze over ACs, your home will have more allergens than those that follow all the advice 100%... and that’s OK! As we mentioned above, cleaning is never an all-or-nothing zero-sum equation. Even if you can only afford or have time for a third of our advice, a third less allergens is still nothing to sneeze at!

Remember, investing in the right tools like Microfiber Wholesale’s products, implementing effective cleaning practices, and adjusting your home environment can make a world of difference. Let this summer be the season you reclaim your home from allergens and breathe easier once again. Your journey to a cleaner, healthier home starts today. Happy cleaning!

High-Reach Microfiber Duster Kit

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Stands up to the rigors of commercial use while still being incredibly soft and absorbent.

Written by

Melissa Homer
Content Contributor at
Microfiber Wholesale

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Melissa Homer is a professional cleaning expert with over 20 years experience in the commercial and residential cleaning industry. She is a highly trained cleaning professional, business consultant, and educator that specializes in cleaning product testing and research, premium surface care, cleaning safety, cleaning procedure efficiency, training documentation, and cleaning damage repair. Melissa has worked for some of the biggest names in the professional residential cleaning industry, including P&G Professional and MaidPro. She has been interviewed and quoted in numerous leading publications such as Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, Consumer Reports, Better Homes & Gardens, U.S. News & World Report, and The Washington Post.

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