Spring is a beautiful time of year, but for allergy sufferers, it can also be miserable. As trees and flowers start to bloom, they release pollen into the air that can cause allergy symptoms like sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and more. The good news is there are steps you can take to allergy-proof your bedroom and prevent symptoms so you can breathe easy this spring. Here’s how I give my bedroom a deep clean each spring to minimize allergens.
Wash All Bedding
One of the most important things I do is wash all my bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, comforters, blankets, and mattress covers. Allergens like dust mites and pollen can collect on bedding and get stirred up while you sleep, causing allergy flair ups.
To minimize allergens, I:
- Wash sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers weekly in hot water. The heat helps kill dust mites.
- Wash blankets, comforters, and duvet covers at least monthly.
- Use unscented laundry detergent and double rinse to remove traces of detergent that can irritate allergies.
- Run bedding through an extra spin cycle to remove more moisture and allergens.
- During pollen season, I don’t hang bedding outside to dry. Instead, I use the dryer.
Properly washing bedding helps remove allergens so I can breathe easier at night.
Dust and Vacuum Thoroughly
Dusting and vacuuming kicks up some allergens in the short-term, but is important for removing them from my bedroom over time. I try to do a thorough job dusting and vacuuming at least once a week.
For dusting, I:
- Use a microfiber cloth to trap and remove dust, rather than just scattering it.
- Pay close attention to surfaces like ceiling fan blades, baseboards, window sills, and picture frames which collect lots of dust.
- Carefully dust blinds and curtains to remove pollen that may have collected there.
When vacuuming, I:
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove allergens from the air.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture like chairs to suck up dust and pet dander.
- Vacuum under the bed, mattress, and box spring where dust bunnies hide.
- Empty the vacuum bag or canister outside so the allergens don’t get back in the air.
Doing a thorough job dusting and vacuuming keeps surfaces and fabrics cleaner so allergens have fewer places to collect.
Use Allergy-Friendly Bedding
One way I reduce allergens in my bed is to use bedding designed to block dust mites and pollen. Options I recommend are:
- Allergy encasements for mattresses and pillows which prevent allergens from getting inside.
- Duvet covers instead of comforters, which can be washed more easily.
- Cotton sheets instead of silk or satin, which attract more dust mites.
- Hypoallergenic pillows and blankets washed in hot water to remove allergens.
I also wash all new bedding and air it out before using to remove any chemical residues that could worsen allergies.
Using the right bedding materials reduces allergens and lets me breathe easier at night.
Use Air Purifiers
I run air purifiers in my bedroom, especially at night while I’m sleeping. The HEPA filters help remove allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander and more from the air. This gives my allergies a break rather than being exposed all night long.
I make sure to:
- Choose HEPA air purifiers proven to remove allergens and have a large enough capacity for the room size.
- Place air purifiers away from walls and furnishings to optimize air flow.
- Change filters as recommended by the manufacturer to keep them working effectively.
- Run air purifiers continuously on high during allergy season.
Using air purifiers reduces airborne allergens so I don’t suffer as many allergy symptoms.
Avoid Allergen Traps
There are some items and materials I avoid having in my bedroom because they are magnets for collecting allergens. Some key things I remove are:
- Stuffed animals, fabric toys and cloth decor items that attract dust and are hard to clean.
- Upholstered headboards which harbor dust mites.
- Heavy curtains, valances and draperies that trap dust and pollen.
- Carpet flooring that holds on to all types of allergens and is hard to deep clean.
I’ve replaced allergen traps with items like wood headboards, washable blinds, and hardwood or vinyl flooring that are easier to keep allergen-free.
Avoiding allergen magnets reduces places for dust and pollen to hide so I have fewer allergy triggers.
Control Humidity
I keep the humidity in my bedroom between 30-50% to discourage dust mites, mold, and other allergy triggers that thrive in damp environments. I use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity and adjust as needed.
Some tips to control humidity are:
- Running a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.
- Using exhaust fans when showering or cooking.
- Opening windows periodically for fresh air circulation.
- Keeping closet doors open to prevent mold in enclosed spaces.
- Using air conditioners and/or dehumidifiers during humid seasons.
Controlling humidity denies allergens the damp environment they need to grow and become a problem.
Choose Hypoallergenic Houseplants
I still keep houseplants in my bedroom for aesthetics and air purification, but select varieties less likely to trigger allergies. The best choices are:
- Snake plants and palms, which don’t require much soil and trap fewer allergens.
- Succulents and cacti, which also need less soil and release little pollen.
- Peace lilies, which help purify indoor air.
- Aloe vera, which filters airborne toxins.
- Orchids, ferns and air plants, which absorb moisture.
I avoid allergy-prone plants like fully flowering blooms. With the right plants, I can still enjoy the benefits without the allergies!
Choosing the right hypoallergenic plants lets me have greenery in my bedroom without worsening allergies.
By giving my bedroom a deep clean and allergy-proofing it before spring, I’m able to minimize my seasonal allergy symptoms. With clean bedding, less dust and pollen, and fewer allergen hiding places, I can breathe easier all season long!
