How to Reduce Indoor Allergens & Improve Air Quality in Your Home

Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like creatures that live in house dust⁵. They’re often found in couches, carpets, rugs, curtains, and bedding – tending to thrive in warm, humid environments.

These mites are the most common cause of allergies and asthma⁶. In fact, around four in five US homes have detectable levels of dust mite allergen in at least one bed⁷.

As well as dust mites, dust particles from around the house can also trigger allergies⁸. House dust usually contains tiny particles of allergens from indoors and outdoors, including⁸:

• Material fibers

• Cleaning detergents

• Dead skin cells

• Pollen

• Mold spores

House dust clings to most surfaces, especially any ornaments or ‘knick knacks’ you might have on display. It’s usually spread around the house by open windows.

Pets can also cause allergic reactions – or more specifically, you might be allergic to the proteins found in their saliva, urine and dander⁹. Pet dander is actually flakes of dead skin that are shed over time and can build up on the fur of cats or dogs.

This dander can also spread around your house, especially if you let your furry friends sleep in your bed or snuggle on the couch with you.

Whether in the kitchen, basement or bathroom, mold and mildew love damp areas. Check for growth on surfaces around the sink, bathtub or shower, as well as leaky faucets and pipes under the sink.

Refrigerator drip trays are another hot spot for mold, so it’s a good idea to keep them clean.

Nobody likes finding bugs in their home – they hide in walls and cracks, spread germs, and cockroaches are actually a common allergy and asthma trigger¹⁰. Cockroaches are most often found in urban areas, inside up to 98% of homes – particularly in the South, as they thrive in the warmer climate¹⁰.

Using a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air purifier or filter is one of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality. This helps rid your home of dust and other allergens.

Air conditioning actually dehumidifies the air and filters out pollen, which doesn’t cope well in airflow. Crank it up in the summer months to keep you cool and sniffle-free.

Open bathroom windows while showering to let out moist air, and help prevent mold and mildew growth. Windows in other rooms meanwhile should remain closed, to reduce the amount of outdoor allergens such as pollen entering your home.

Low-light-requiring houseplants can help improve indoor air quality, as their roots and leaves act as a filter to catch indoor allergens¹¹. Some of the best indoor plants for air quality are¹¹:

• Chinese Evergreen

• Peace Lily

• Bamboo Palm

• English Ivy

When it’s too cold out for the AC, use a dehumidifier to keep the air dry. This will help prevent the spread of mold.

You can try to prevent the spread of pet dander in your home by keeping pets off furniture, tables and counter tops. It may also be a good idea to turn the places where you spend most of your time into pet-free zones.