Implementing a stringent cleaning routine eases seasonal allergy symptoms, according to experts' findings. They explain why this practice is essential.
In the height of summer, hay fever sufferers can find relief at home by adopting a top-to-bottom cleaning approach. This method, recommended by cleaning experts and the American Cleaning Institute, is a proven tactic to make your home significantly less allergenic.
Starting with the highest surfaces, clean ceiling fans, crown molding, light fixtures, and the tops of high shelves and books. Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, emphasizes the importance of this approach, calling it a 'non-negotiable' for hay fever relief.
By cleaning from top to bottom, you reduce exposure to common allergens like pollen and dust. When you clean higher areas first, dust and pollen that are dislodged naturally fall downward onto lower surfaces. These lower surfaces can then be effectively vacuumed or mopped, removing allergens more completely from the environment.
For instance, Rhonda recommends a multi-surface cleaning device that vacuums and mops at the same time for efficient allergen removal. Scott Schrader, a cleaning expert at CottageCare, advises using a HEPA vacuum for allergies, such as the Miele Complete C3 or the Shark Navigator Lift-Away.
As you move to mid-level areas like kitchen countertops, dining room tables, and walls, windowsills, and curtains, continue the top-to-bottom approach. Wash curtains regularly and replace them once clean to reduce pollen and hay fever. Alicia, who specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services, advises briefly opening windows during low pollen counts to let fresh air circulate, then closing them again to prevent more allergens from entering.
Finally, clean baseboards, floors, and low-level furniture. Use a handheld vacuum to reduce pollen and hay fever daily. The microfiber mop head effectively removes 99% of bacteria with just water.
During peak pollen season, it is recommended to repeat the cleaning routine once or twice a week. This systematic approach stops allergens from being redistributed into the air or onto surfaces you've already cleaned, thus minimizing allergen exposure in the home.
So, whether you're fighting hay fever or simply aiming for a cleaner, healthier home, cleaning from top to bottom is more than just an efficient method—it's a key tactic in reducing the indoor allergen load that triggers hay fever symptoms during summer months.
- To ensure a cleaner and healthier home, and to reduce allergen exposure for those with hay fever, incorporate science-backed cleaning methods, such as adopting a top-to-bottom cleaning approach as recommended by experts like Rhonda Wilson and Scott Schrader.
- As part of this approach, maintain a fitness-and-exercise routine to boost overall health and wellness by opening windows during low pollen counts, allowing fresh air and natural ventilation into your home, as advised by Alicia.
- For effective skin-care and to keep a lifestyle balanced, regularly clean and maintain home-and-garden spaces such as baseboards, floors, and low-level furniture using a handheld vacuum and microfiber mop head to remove 99% of bacteria while reducing pollen levels, following the advice of cleaning experts.
